Akamai

A Cloud Hub for Developers

Akamai Technologies, a global leader in content delivery network (CDN), cloud computing, and cybersecurity services, sought to create a unified and comprehensive web platform for their cloud developer community in 2023. The vision was to establish a central learning hub encompassing documentation, video courses, Akamai news and events, and a showcase of innovative projects built on their platform. This ambitious undertaking aimed to empower developers, foster a sense of community, and streamline access to Akamai's extensive resources.

Process

The design process for Akamai's developer platform centered around creating an environment that resonated with the technical audience. A fully custom design system was developed, offering both dark and light mode options to cater to the varied working preferences of developers. Visually, the platform drew inspiration from iconic tech-centric aesthetics like the Matrix and Tron, aiming to create an engaging and familiar atmosphere. The user experience was carefully considered, implementing a multi-layered navigation system including top-level menus, sidebars, tabsets, and floating table of contents to ensure seamless exploration of the extensive content. A video learning section was designed with a familiar streaming interface, utilizing categorized side-scrolling carousels. A significant aspect of the process involved the complex task of consolidating content from disparate sources into a cohesive and easily accessible structure.

Execution

The execution of the Akamai developer platform focused on delivering a powerful and intuitive experience. The custom design system was meticulously implemented to ensure visual consistency and accessibility across both light and dark modes. The Netflix and Amazon-inspired video platform provided a familiar and engaging way for developers to consume learning content. Recognizing the critical need for efficient information retrieval, a robust and advanced search functionality was integrated, enabling developers to quickly locate specific documentation, videos, or news. Color played a key role in content organization, with distinct hues assigned to categorize core areas such as "Compute," "Security," and "Delivery," providing a visual framework for navigating the platform's diverse offerings. The developer showcase further enhanced the sense of community, highlighting innovative work and inspiring fellow users.

Credits

Role

Lead Designer

Agency

N/A

Client

Akamai

Year

2023

JUSTINFREILER.COM