Contextual UI.

In 1997, I introduced the idea of contextual controls—bringing the UI to the canvas—after observing users constantly break flow to access tools. It’s a now-common pattern I first explored while working on one of the era’s leading drawing apps.

In 1997, I introduced the idea of contextual controls—bringing the UI to the canvas—after observing users constantly break flow to access tools. It’s a now-common pattern I first explored while working on one of the era’s leading drawing apps.

In 1997, I introduced the idea of contextual controls—bringing the UI to the canvas—after observing users constantly break flow to access tools. It’s a now-common pattern I first explored while working on one of the era’s leading drawing apps.

Scope

Concept Design

Concept Design

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Project

Corel

Corel

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Role

UI Design Manager

UI Design Manager

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Year

1997

1997

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Interfaces

(01)

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Interfaces

(01)

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Interfaces

(01)

Discovering The Modern Day UI

Working at one of the leading drawing software companies of the late 20th century gave me early exposure to ideas that are now standard. In 1997, after observing users constantly move away from the canvas to access tools, I asked: what if the UI came to them? That insight led to the creation of contextual controls—a now-common UI pattern I first envisioned decades ago.