UX architecture
Information Architecture
Platform Revamp
Semantic Interaction Design
JTBD
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
✺
2021 ~ 2023
From Patchwork to Posture
A Multi-Year UX Initiative that Evolved Malwarebytes’ Enterprise Platform from Nebula to Threatdown
00 Background
This case study chronicles the journey of how we evolved Malwarebytes’ enterprise platform from Nebula Classic (1.0) to a modular, strategy-drive Nebula 2.0. We transforming the fragmented experience into one anchored in security posture management, with a brief stop at the underdeveloped 1.5 phase.
Spanning three multi-team efforts (Project Flywheel, Project LIFT, and Project SAM), this multi-year initiative consolidated years of research into a flexible, scalable, and forward-looking product architecture.
My Contribution: I served as both the Lead UX Researcher and the Research Manager on this initiative.
Quick Jump
00
Preview
03
Methodology & Analysis
04
Finding Summary
05
Impact
06
Reflection
Timeline and Main Research Activities
Nebula 2.0 (ThreatDown) Released!
Project Flyhweel
03 Context
Malwarebytes Portfolio in 2021
MB 4.0
MB Mobile
PrivacyVPN
MyAccount
Nebula
OneVIew
04 Methodology and Approach
Framework
Semantic Interaction Design
Objective
UX architecture
Duration
2 months
Research-drive
Desktop research
Heuristic evaluation
Internal audits
Workshops
Storyboard
Conceptual thinking & Design
Focus group
Research Objective
UX Architecture
A system design for the product/service between Navigation, Interaction, Terminology & Content for a family of user experiences.
Essential for modular, multi-platform, multi-user product environments.
“If you wish to converse with me, you must first define your terms”
– Voltaire, French Philosopher
The Framework:
Semantic Interaction Design
Reduce cognitive load
Enable scalable design
Create a shared language
Semantic IxD Grammar
Actions
Menu
Objects
Canvas
Attributes
Inspector Dialog Box
Research Process - Semantic IxD Workshop
Forging for Objects and Actions
Grammar design and refinement
Consumer to Corporate narrative
Architecture choices
Mapping grammar to architecture & choose page archetype patterns
Sketch screen for narratives using the grammar and architecture decisions
Unified UX Architecture Blueprints
Locating Objects and Actions consistently
IA Scalability Demonstration
Impact & Reflection
UX Achievement
Consistency and Continuity
Provide consistent and continuity of experience across all Malwarebytes products, on all devices, and for all user types.
Provide a cohesive brand across all our products/solutions and the associated collaterals/assets.
Provide a seamless end-to-end experience throughout the entire customer journey with us.
Simple and Seamless Transition
Provide the simplest flow for customers to transition between product term type lifecycle and offerings.
2 steps frictionless and seamless experience to upgrade!
Showcase Value of Offerings
Present and showcase the capabilities and values of our products offerings which resonate with the customers throughout their journey.
Present capabilities in a natural and purposeful way in which customers will see the values and benefits without coming off as over-selling.
Fast and Easy Access
Single click to access critical information and to actions
Place GUI elements and features in easiest-to-find and most intuitive locations
Streamline user interactions and complex tasks via ML, automating and guided-driven workflows
Provide the most efficient flow to accomplish goals and tasks
Optimize and Powerful
Keep user interface and interaction simple and powerful
Avoid unnecessary clicks, typing, steps and pop-ups for complex tasks
Build an extensible and scalable UX framework
Provide dynamic and flexible personal preferences
Keep users informed and in control through informative and timely feedback
Empowering Experience for Any User, Anywhere and Any Device
Learning Central
MWB: SMEs, Forums, Blogs, Support team
Third parties: Advocates, Influencers, perceived un-bias sources Google, Youtube.
Security Health
Proactive monitoring and custom guidance to optimize protection
Resources & Help
Threat Intel Reports, Best Practices, Tips & Tricks, Tutorials…
User usage telemetry
Guidance, Tips & Tricks, On-boarding and feature walk-through
Today Task Central
Personal assistant to help manage essential tasks
Push Notifications/Alerts
Important issues and information
Total Protection on All Devices
Web
Mobile
Desktop Widget
Frictionless and Seamless Upgrade Path
View Prototype
Impact
Set a strategic UX north star that shaped multiple roadmap cycles across consumer and corporate products.
Embedded research at early stage of product decision-making, shifting from support function to strategic partner.
Unified cross-functional teams under a shared UX language for features, actions, and workflows.
Scaled research capacity by mentoring and enabling a team to cover parallel product tracks.
Seeded future releases (e.g., Project SAM, MB5) with a reusable IA and insights foundation.
Reflection
Biggest win
Semantic IxD Design framework adoption
Developed a shared product language
What I’d Do Differently
Phase the roll out
Keep the core team light
Iterate earlier and more often
Balance amotion with pace
✺ My Contribution and Impact ✺
Role
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
Methodologies
Heuristic evaluation, competitive analysis, 1:1 interviews, Kano, card sorting, semantic IA modeling, persona synthesis, RITE, usability benchmarking
Key Deliverables
Semantic IA framework, Revised Personas, Security Advisor concept testing, Security Posture Assessment Insights
Contributions
Defined UX research strategy across all phases (Flywheel → LIFT → SAM)
Designed and executed foundational IA studies
Scaled and mentored a growing research team
Facilitated cross-functional alignment with PM, Eng, and Design teams
What I’d Do Differently
Directly shaped the IA, navigation model, and dashboard structure of Nebula 2.0
Built a scalable, unified UX foundation for both direct business and MSP products
Enabled the product pivot toward posture-based security
Influenced long-term product vision, later branded as ThreatDown
Introduced the Security Advisor feature— now a core differentiator
Projects
ABOUT
Resume
Connect
UX architecture
Information Architecture
Platform Revamp
Semantic Interaction Design
JTBD
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
✺
2021 ~ 2023
From Patchwork to Posture
A Multi-Year UX Initiative that Evolved Malwarebytes’ Enterprise Platform from Nebula to Threatdown
00 Background
This case study chronicles the journey of how we evolved Malwarebytes’ enterprise platform from Nebula Classic (1.0) to a modular, strategy-drive Nebula 2.0. We transforming the fragmented experience into one anchored in security posture management, with a brief stop at the underdeveloped 1.5 phase.
Spanning three multi-team efforts (Project Flywheel, Project LIFT, and Project SAM), this multi-year initiative consolidated years of research into a flexible, scalable, and forward-looking product architecture.
My Contribution: I served as both the Lead UX Researcher and the Research Manager on this initiative.
Quick Jump
00
Preview
03
Methodology & Analysis
04
Finding Summary
05
Impact
06
Reflection
Timeline and Main Research Activities
Nebula 2.0 (ThreatDown) Released!
Project Flyhweel
03 Context
Malwarebytes Portfolio in 2021
MB 4.0
MB Mobile
PrivacyVPN
MyAccount
Nebula
OneVIew
04 Methodology and Approach
Framework
Semantic Interaction Design
Objective
UX architecture
Duration
2 months
Research-drive
Desktop research
Heuristic evaluation
Internal audits
Workshops
Storyboard
Conceptual thinking & Design
Focus group
Research Objective
UX Architecture
A system design for the product/service between Navigation, Interaction, Terminology & Content for a family of user experiences.
Essential for modular, multi-platform, multi-user product environments.
“If you wish to converse with me, you must first define your terms”
– Voltaire, French Philosopher
The Framework:
Semantic Interaction Design
Reduce cognitive load
Enable scalable design
Create a shared language
Semantic IxD Grammar
Actions
Menu
Objects
Canvas
Attributes
Inspector Dialog Box
Research Process - Semantic IxD Workshop
Forging for Objects and Actions
Grammar design and refinement
Consumer to Corporate narrative
Architecture choices
Mapping grammar to architecture & choose page archetype patterns
Sketch screen for narratives using the grammar and architecture decisions
Unified UX Architecture Blueprints
Locating Objects and Actions consistently
IA Scalability Demonstration
Impact & Reflection
UX Achievement
Consistency and Continuity
Provide consistent and continuity of experience across all Malwarebytes products, on all devices, and for all user types.
Provide a cohesive brand across all our products/solutions and the associated collaterals/assets.
Provide a seamless end-to-end experience throughout the entire customer journey with us.
Simple and Seamless Transition
Provide the simplest flow for customers to transition between product term type lifecycle and offerings.
2 steps frictionless and seamless experience to upgrade!
Showcase Value of Offerings
Present and showcase the capabilities and values of our products offerings which resonate with the customers throughout their journey.
Present capabilities in a natural and purposeful way in which customers will see the values and benefits without coming off as over-selling.
Fast and Easy Access
Single click to access critical information and to actions
Place GUI elements and features in easiest-to-find and most intuitive locations
Streamline user interactions and complex tasks via ML, automating and guided-driven workflows
Provide the most efficient flow to accomplish goals and tasks
Optimize and Powerful
Keep user interface and interaction simple and powerful
Avoid unnecessary clicks, typing, steps and pop-ups for complex tasks
Build an extensible and scalable UX framework
Provide dynamic and flexible personal preferences
Keep users informed and in control through informative and timely feedback
Empowering Experience for Any User, Anywhere and Any Device
Learning Central
MWB: SMEs, Forums, Blogs, Support team
Third parties: Advocates, Influencers, perceived un-bias sources Google, Youtube.
Security Health
Proactive monitoring and custom guidance to optimize protection
Resources & Help
Threat Intel Reports, Best Practices, Tips & Tricks, Tutorials…
User usage telemetry
Guidance, Tips & Tricks, On-boarding and feature walk-through
Today Task Central
Personal assistant to help manage essential tasks
Push Notifications/Alerts
Important issues and information
Total Protection on All Devices
Web
Mobile
Desktop Widget
Frictionless and Seamless Upgrade Path
View Prototype
Impact
Set a strategic UX north star that shaped multiple roadmap cycles across consumer and corporate products.
Embedded research at early stage of product decision-making, shifting from support function to strategic partner.
Unified cross-functional teams under a shared UX language for features, actions, and workflows.
Scaled research capacity by mentoring and enabling a team to cover parallel product tracks.
Seeded future releases (e.g., Project SAM, MB5) with a reusable IA and insights foundation.
Reflection
Biggest win
Semantic IxD Design framework adoption
Developed a shared product language
What I’d Do Differently
Phase the roll out
Keep the core team light
Iterate earlier and more often
Balance amotion with pace
✺ My Contribution and Impact ✺
Role
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
Methodologies
Heuristic evaluation, competitive analysis, 1:1 interviews, Kano, card sorting, semantic IA modeling, persona synthesis, RITE, usability benchmarking
Key Deliverables
Semantic IA framework, Revised Personas, Security Advisor concept testing, Security Posture Assessment Insights
Contributions
Defined UX research strategy across all phases (Flywheel → LIFT → SAM)
Designed and executed foundational IA studies
Scaled and mentored a growing research team
Facilitated cross-functional alignment with PM, Eng, and Design teams
What I’d Do Differently
Directly shaped the IA, navigation model, and dashboard structure of Nebula 2.0
Built a scalable, unified UX foundation for both direct business and MSP products
Enabled the product pivot toward posture-based security
Influenced long-term product vision, later branded as ThreatDown
Introduced the Security Advisor feature— now a core differentiator
Projects
ABOUT
Resume
Connect
Quick Jump
00
Background
01
Challenge
02
Approach
03
Impact
04
MSP Persona Supplement
05
Outcome
PROJECTS
ABOUT
RESUME
CONNECT
Previous study
Next study
UX architecture
Information Architecture
Platform Revamp
Semantic Interaction Design
JTBD
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
✺
2021 ~ 2023
From Patchwork to Posture
A Multi-Year UX Initiative that Evolved Malwarebytes’ Enterprise Platform from Nebula to Threatdown
00 Background
This case study chronicles the journey of how we evolved Malwarebytes’ enterprise platform from Nebula Classic (1.0) to a modular, strategy-drive Nebula 2.0. We transforming the fragmented experience into one anchored in security posture management, with a brief stop at the underdeveloped 1.5 phase.
Spanning three multi-team efforts (Project Flywheel, Project LIFT, and Project SAM), this multi-year initiative consolidated years of research into a flexible, scalable, and forward-looking product architecture.
My Contribution: I served as both the Lead UX Researcher and the Research Manager on this initiative.
Quick Jump
00
Preview
03
Methodology & Analysis
04
Finding Summary
05
Impact
06
Reflection
Timeline and Main Research Activities
Nebula 2.0 (ThreatDown) Released!
Project Flyhweel
03 Context
Malwarebytes Portfolio in 2021
MB 4.0
MB Mobile
PrivacyVPN
MyAccount
Nebula
OneVIew
04 Methodology and Approach
Framework
Semantic Interaction Design
Objective
UX architecture
Duration
2 months
Research-drive
Desktop research
Heuristic evaluation
Internal audits
Workshops
Storyboard
Conceptual thinking & Design
Focus group
Research Objective
UX Architecture
A system design for the product/service between Navigation, Interaction, Terminology & Content for a family of user experiences.
Essential for modular, multi-platform, multi-user product environments.
“If you wish to converse with me, you must first define your terms”
– Voltaire, French Philosopher
The Framework:
Semantic Interaction Design
Reduce cognitive load
Enable scalable design
Create a shared language
Semantic IxD Grammar
Actions
Menu
Objects
Canvas
Attributes
Inspector Dialog Box
Research Process - Semantic IxD Workshop
Forging for Objects and Actions
Grammar design and refinement
Consumer to Corporate narrative
Architecture choices
Mapping grammar to architecture & choose page archetype patterns
Sketch screen for narratives using the grammar and architecture decisions
Unified UX Architecture Blueprints
Locating Objects and Actions consistently
IA Scalability Demonstration
Impact & Reflection
UX Achievement
Consistency and Continuity
Provide consistent and continuity of experience across all Malwarebytes products, on all devices, and for all user types.
Provide a cohesive brand across all our products/solutions and the associated collaterals/assets.
Provide a seamless end-to-end experience throughout the entire customer journey with us.
Simple and Seamless Transition
Provide the simplest flow for customers to transition between product term type lifecycle and offerings.
2 steps frictionless and seamless experience to upgrade!
Showcase Value of Offerings
Present and showcase the capabilities and values of our products offerings which resonate with the customers throughout their journey.
Present capabilities in a natural and purposeful way in which customers will see the values and benefits without coming off as over-selling.
Fast and Easy Access
Single click to access critical information and to actions
Place GUI elements and features in easiest-to-find and most intuitive locations
Streamline user interactions and complex tasks via ML, automating and guided-driven workflows
Provide the most efficient flow to accomplish goals and tasks
Optimize and Powerful
Keep user interface and interaction simple and powerful
Avoid unnecessary clicks, typing, steps and pop-ups for complex tasks
Build an extensible and scalable UX framework
Provide dynamic and flexible personal preferences
Keep users informed and in control through informative and timely feedback
Empowering Experience for Any User, Anywhere and Any Device
Learning Central
MWB: SMEs, Forums, Blogs, Support team
Third parties: Advocates, Influencers, perceived un-bias sources Google, Youtube.
Security Health
Proactive monitoring and custom guidance to optimize protection
Resources & Help
Threat Intel Reports, Best Practices, Tips & Tricks, Tutorials…
User usage telemetry
Guidance, Tips & Tricks, On-boarding and feature walk-through
Today Task Central
Personal assistant to help manage essential tasks
Push Notifications/Alerts
Important issues and information
Total Protection on All Devices
Web
Mobile
Desktop Widget
Frictionless and Seamless Upgrade Path
View Prototype
Impact
Set a strategic UX north star that shaped multiple roadmap cycles across consumer and corporate products.
Embedded research at early stage of product decision-making, shifting from support function to strategic partner.
Unified cross-functional teams under a shared UX language for features, actions, and workflows.
Scaled research capacity by mentoring and enabling a team to cover parallel product tracks.
Seeded future releases (e.g., Project SAM, MB5) with a reusable IA and insights foundation.
Reflection
Biggest win
Semantic IxD Design framework adoption
Developed a shared product language
What I’d Do Differently
Phase the roll out
Keep the core team light
Iterate earlier and more often
Balance amotion with pace
✺ My Contribution and Impact ✺
Role
Lead UX Researcher & Manager
Methodologies
Heuristic evaluation, competitive analysis, 1:1 interviews, Kano, card sorting, semantic IA modeling, persona synthesis, RITE, usability benchmarking
Key Deliverables
Semantic IA framework, Revised Personas, Security Advisor concept testing, Security Posture Assessment Insights
Contributions
Defined UX research strategy across all phases (Flywheel → LIFT → SAM)
Designed and executed foundational IA studies
Scaled and mentored a growing research team
Facilitated cross-functional alignment with PM, Eng, and Design teams
What I’d Do Differently
Directly shaped the IA, navigation model, and dashboard structure of Nebula 2.0
Built a scalable, unified UX foundation for both direct business and MSP products
Enabled the product pivot toward posture-based security
Influenced long-term product vision, later branded as ThreatDown
Introduced the Security Advisor feature— now a core differentiator