🧭 Context:
In early 2025, I joined a high-impact initiative between Globallogic and Hitachi: create a sandbox platform for API integrations — with the goal of showcasing it at Google Next Las Vegas. With a multidisciplinary team, a tight timeline, and an ambitious product roadmap, API Portal was designed as a scalable solution for industries beyond fintech.
🚀 The Mission:
Develop a white-label platform that allows users to create and manage applications to test API integrations in a secure, structured environment. While the initial use case focused on fintech, the architecture and experience were built to flex across future business verticals.
🔍 The Challenge:
Testing APIs can be complex and unclear — especially when involving multiple systems and dev teams. We aimed to simplify that complexity with an intuitive UX, while still meeting the needs of technical users and product stakeholders.
On top of that, collaboration was key: the project required strong alignment between product strategy, business goals, and technical feasibility — across roles, across time zones.
🎯 My Role:
As Product Designer, I was responsible for shaping the product experience from the ground up. I:
Conducted research to understand user needs and technical constraints
Mapped and iterated user flows across the full product scope
Prototyped all core features for testing and internal validation
Collaborated with PMs, BAs, and dev teams to align on feasibility
Supported front-end and content production during key sprints
I didn’t pitch the product at Google Next — that was the role of stakeholders. But I stayed closely involved, requested feedback, and ensured the solution was backed by a clear and usable experience.
🧠 The Approach:
We followed a Design Thinking process to center user needs, while organizing sprints using Kanban. The MVP was built in functional phases — starting with foundational flows and growing toward a demo-ready platform.
To support dev decision-making, I offered multiple UX options for critical screens — allowing the team to balance clarity, speed, and technical fit.
🧩 Outcome:
The team launched a robust, scalable MVP one month ahead of schedule. Stakeholders presented the platform at Google Next Las Vegas 2025, using the prototype to showcase its capabilities for broader application in enterprise contexts.
🌱 What I Learned:
How to design clear, goal-oriented UX within technically complex environments
That collaboration with diverse roles strengthens the product — and the designer
How proactive feedback loops and flexibility can elevate outcomes, even under time pressure
🔚 Final Thought:
API Portal wasn’t just a project — it was a masterclass in cross-functional collaboration. Designing for flexibility, speed, and scale required not only UX expertise, but the ability to adapt, communicate, and learn alongside a team driving toward a shared goal.
