Data Directory Browser
A new directory navigation interface that helps users explore massive file systems without performance lags. I redesigned the Tree View to a drill-down structure so users can load and find what they need faster, with fewer errors and zero support tickets after launch.
Type
Web App UX
Data Navigation
B2B SaaS
Role
UX Designer
Team
1 Product Manager
3 Software Developers
Duration
Nov 2023 - Mar 2024
(6 months)
PROBLEM
"The more data you have, the more difficult it is to load and navigate, and users have to rely on memory."
Data Stores is where users go to find, check, and manage large sets of files across their storage. But when folders had hundreds of thousands of files, the current Tree View system became very slow and hard to use. Instead of quickly finding what they needed, users had to remember where things were. This caused frustration, and many gave up before finishing their task.
USER INSIGHTS
"Why can't I just explore one folder level at a time..?"
One user said, “Can’t I just go into one folder at a time?” That simple question changed how I thought about the problem. Instead of the complex Tree View, I suggested a drill-down style. It’s a step-by-step way to open folders, similar to how people browse files on Mac or Windows. I also added breadcrumbs so users could always see where they were.
SOLUTION
Build a comprehensive design system & rules
The new design lets users open one folder at a time. I built clear and consistent components and interaction states, so users can quickly understand what’s happening when they hover, select an item, or see an empty folder. I also added breadcrumbs to help users track their path and move through folders more easily.
FINAL DESIGN
Successful shipment & direct impact
After handing off, I continued to follow the build process closely through Jira. I checked each ticket regularly and worked with developers to make sure nothing was missed or implemented incorrectly. This ongoing collaboration helped us catch small issues early and ship the design as intended.
OUTCOME
UX wins that reduced load time, failures, and support costs
After launching the redesigned Directory Browser, we observed measurable improvements across performance and user engagement metrics:
Average load time dropped from 3.1s to 1.2s
The percentage of users who failed to reach the file level decreased from 41% to under 0%
Support tickets related to navigation dropped to zero within two weeks of launch
