Outcome
Year
Industry
Gravity is a self-service developer platform that simplifies the Kubernetes experience while maintaining complete control for technical users. This case study examines the UI/UX design decisions that transformed complex container orchestration concepts into an intuitive interface that bridges the gap between platform teams and developers.
Process & Approach
The design process followed a developer-centric approach to creating a technical yet accessible interface:
• User Research: Identifying the distinct needs of both platform engineers and application developers
• Mental Model Mapping: Translating complex Kubernetes concepts into visual metaphors and workflows
• Information Architecture: Organizing technical functionality into logical, discoverable patterns
• Visual System Development: Creating a cohesive design language that balances technical precision with usability
• Iterative Testing: Validating interface effectiveness with users of varying technical proficiency
Design System Story
The Gravity interface embodies multiple conceptual layers:
• Orbital Visual Metaphor: The UI employs a planetary/orbital visual system representing Kubernetes orchestration, with services and workloads as objects in a controlled ecosystem
• Parent Brand Integration: As part of the Invisibl family, Gravity maintains the deep purple and orange-red color scheme while establishing its own distinct identity
• Technical Transparency: The interface reveals appropriate levels of underlying Kubernetes complexity based on user role and context
• Progressive Technical Disclosure: Complex configurations unfold in logical layers, preventing overwhelm while maintaining depth
Solution
The resulting interface features:
• Dark-Themed Dashboard: Deep purple (#1A0B2E) background creating visual comfort for extended development sessions
• Card-Based Architecture: Modular workload cards with clear status indicators and contextual actions
• Left Sidebar Navigation: Hierarchical menu providing access to all platform capabilities
• Status Visualization: Color-coded indicators (Active green, Pending orange, Not Available red) for immediate state recognition
• Technical Data Tables: Structured presentation of workloads with filtering and search capabilities
• Cloud Provider Integration: Unified interface across Amazon EKS, Azure AKS, and Google GKE
Developer Experience
The platform prioritizes developer experience through:
• Simplified Complexity: Visual abstraction of Kubernetes concepts without hiding necessary technical details
• Command Visibility: Clear presentation of underlying Kubernetes commands for learning and verification
• Error Prevention: Proactive validation and guidance preventing common deployment mistakes
• Contextual Documentation: Integrated help and resources available at decision points
• Technical Feedback: Immediate system response to developer actions with appropriate detail
• Role-Based Views: Interface adaptation based on technical proficiency and responsibilities
Impact & Results
The Gravity UI/UX design successfully achieves:
• Reduced Cognitive Load: Complex Kubernetes operations made accessible through intuitive visualization
• Accelerated Onboarding: New team members productive with Kubernetes in days rather than weeks
• Cross-Team Alignment: Common visual language bridging platform teams and developers
• Deployment Confidence: Clear feedback and validation increasing developer confidence
• Platform Adoption: Higher voluntary usage rates compared to command-line-only alternatives
Key Aesthetic Insights
This project demonstrates several important UI/UX principles:
• Technical Beauty: Finding visual elegance in complex systems without sacrificing functionality
• Appropriate Abstraction: Determining the right level of simplification for technical interfaces
• Visual Consistency: Maintaining design cohesion across diverse Kubernetes concepts
• Information Density Balance: Providing sufficient technical detail without overwhelming users
• Brand System Integration: Establishing product identity within a larger brand ecosystem
The Gravity interface exemplifies how thoughtful UI/UX design can transform complex technical platforms into accessible tools that empower developers while maintaining the control and standardization needed by platform teams.
