IBM
IBM
IBM
At IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, the Think Lab is an innovative space that brings together researchers and clients to explore the latest in quantum computing, AI processing, and hybrid cloud technologies. Over 12 weeks as a Research Design Intern, I reimagined how to enhance interactivity, communication, and user experience within the Think Lab environment.
My key projects include building the UI for a demo platform that improves researcher mobility and streamlined presentations, developing post-meeting client surveys to support growth strategy initiatives, and creating high-impact design documentation that was shared across 100,000+ employees.
At IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, the Think Lab is an innovative space that brings together researchers and clients to explore the latest in quantum computing, AI processing, and hybrid cloud technologies. Over 12 weeks as a Research Design Intern, I reimagined how to enhance interactivity, communication, and user experience within the Think Lab environment.
My key projects include building the UI for a demo platform that improves researcher mobility and streamlined presentations, developing post-meeting client surveys to support growth strategy initiatives, and creating high-impact design documentation that was shared across 100,000+ employees.
At IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, the Think Lab is an innovative space that brings together researchers and clients to explore the latest in quantum computing, AI processing, and hybrid cloud technologies. Over 12 weeks as a Research Design Intern, I reimagined how to enhance interactivity, communication, and user experience within the Think Lab environment.
My key projects include building the UI for a demo platform that improves researcher mobility and streamlined presentations, developing post-meeting client surveys to support growth strategy initiatives, and creating high-impact design documentation that was shared across 100,000+ employees.
Duration
12 weeks,
Summer 2025
Role
Research Design Intern
Team
IBM Think Lab
Skills
Design Systems
Graphic Design
UI/UX
Figma
Illustrator
Duration
12 weeks,
Summer 2025
Duration
12 weeks,
Summer 2025
Role
Research Design
Intern
Role
Research Design Intern
Team
IBM Think Lab
Team
IBM Think Lab
Skills
Design Systems
Graphic Design
UI/UX
Figma
Illustrator
Skills
Design Systems
Graphic Design
UI/UX
Figma
Illustrator
CASE STUDY: REDESIGNING THE RESEARCH DEMO INTERFACE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
During my internship, I redesigned one of our static in-lab demo displays into a desktop app, making demo access faster, cleaner, and more reliable.
DESIGN GOAL
To make it easier for researchers to access and present interactive AI and quantum computing demos to clients and stakeholders.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
During my internship, I redesigned one of our static in-lab demo displays into a desktop app, making demo access faster, cleaner, and more reliable.
DESIGN GOAL
To make it easier for researchers to access and present interactive AI and quantum computing demos to clients and stakeholders.
PROBLEM DEFINITION
The original stationary demo display featured a horizontal navigation bar at the bottom of a large screen, requiring researchers to scroll endlessly through demo thumbnails to find what they needed.
This made it difficult to locate specific projects quickly, disrupted presentation flow, and limited how engaging or interactive client sessions could be.
Our team wanted to reimagine this feature so that not only researchers could use it for live storytelling, but clients could also approach the display independently to explore different IBM demos, transforming the space into an interactive experience.
PROBLEM DEFINITION
The original stationary demo display featured a horizontal navigation bar at the bottom of a large screen, requiring researchers to scroll endlessly through demo thumbnails to find what they needed.
This made it difficult to locate specific projects quickly, disrupted presentation flow, and limited how engaging or interactive client sessions could be.
Our team wanted to reimagine this feature so that not only researchers could use it for live storytelling, but clients could also approach the display independently to explore different IBM demos, transforming the space into an interactive experience.
PROBLEM DEFINITION
The original stationary demo display featured a horizontal navigation bar at the bottom of a large screen, requiring researchers to scroll endlessly through demo thumbnails to find what they needed.
This made it difficult to locate specific projects quickly, disrupted presentation flow, and limited how engaging or interactive client sessions could be.
Our team wanted to reimagine this feature so that not only researchers could use it for live storytelling, but clients could also approach the display independently to explore different IBM demos, transforming the space into an interactive experience.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
During my observational research of six different client presentations, I looked at how researchers and visitors interacted with the display. I found that:
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
During my observational research of six different client presentations, I looked at how researchers and visitors interacted with the display. I found that:
1. While researchers did use the horizontal navigation, they frequently returned to the same few demos positioned on the leftmost side.
1. While researchers did use the horizontal navigation, they frequently returned to the same few demos positioned on the leftmost side.
2. Clients rarely interacted with the display directly, reinforcing the idea that its navigation model wasn’t intuitive or inviting.
2. Clients rarely interacted with the display directly, reinforcing the idea that its navigation model wasn’t intuitive or inviting.
3. Researchers on my team also mentioned that due to its stationary nature, the interface was also incompatible for external client meetings.
3. Researchers on my team also mentioned that due to its stationary nature, the interface was also incompatible for external client meetings.
As part of a broader initiative to enhance the client experience in the Think Lab, I also implemented a post-meeting feedback survey to be included in client agendas.
As part of a broader initiative to enhance the client experience in the Think Lab, I also implemented a post-meeting feedback survey to be included in client agendas.
Designed in both English and Japanese, the survey supported our frequent collaborations with IBM Research Tokyo and ensured we could capture more inclusive, meaningful insights from diverse stakeholders.
Designed in both English and Japanese, the survey supported our frequent collaborations with IBM Research Tokyo and ensured we could capture more inclusive, meaningful insights from diverse stakeholders.
ITERATION & PROTOYPING
After synthesizing my findings, I met with our team’s developer to understand how the original interface was built. He was able to help me bridge the gap between the static display and a more dynamic system, ensuring the redesign was feasible and aligned with technical constraints.
From there, I began iterating on navigation structures to replace the original horizontal scroll bar. Early sketches explored an adaptation of the bottom navigation bar, top tab layout, and grid-based home screen, but still forced users to scan visually across large areas to locate content.
Through several rounds of wireframing and feedback, I found that a vertical left navigation bar offered the best balance between scannability and hierarchy, keeping navigation fixed without overwhelming the main content area. To ground the redesign, I worked within the IBM Carbon Design System, using its grid, spacing, and typographic foundations to create a consistent interface.
ITERATION & PROTOYPING
After synthesizing my findings, I met with our team’s developer to understand how the original interface was built. He was able to help me bridge the gap between the static display and a more dynamic system, ensuring the redesign was feasible and aligned with technical constraints.
From there, I began iterating on navigation structures to replace the original horizontal scroll bar. Early sketches explored an adaptation of the bottom navigation bar, top tab layout, and grid-based home screen, but still forced users to scan visually across large areas to locate content.
Through several rounds of wireframing and feedback, I found that a vertical left navigation bar offered the best balance between scannability and hierarchy, keeping navigation fixed without overwhelming the main content area. To ground the redesign, I worked within the IBM Carbon Design System, using its grid, spacing, and typographic foundations to create a consistent interface.
UI wireframes & prototype iterations for default and active state buttons
UI wireframes & prototype iterations for default and active state buttons
OUTCOME & IMPACT
The final app provides a clean, IBM Carbon Design–styled interface with features for tag-based filtering, keyword search, and in-app link loading, making it easier to organize and present demos on demand.
The new app transforms the demo experience from a static display into a flexible tool that supports both researchers and visitors. We were able to:
Reduce demo search time
Improve discoverability and use of a wider range of demos.
Enable reliable access across multiple devices.
OUTCOME & IMPACT
The final app provides a clean, IBM Carbon Design–styled interface with features for tag-based filtering, keyword search, and in-app link loading, making it easier to organize and present demos on demand.
The new app transforms the demo experience from a static display into a flexible tool that supports both researchers and visitors. We were able to:
Reduce demo search time
Improve discoverability and use of a wider range of demos.
Enable reliable access across multiple devices.
Keep scrolling to see my other projects at IBM:
Keep scrolling to see my other projects at IBM:
Keep scrolling to see my other projects at IBM:
2025 Quantum Development & Innovation Roadmap
2025 Quantum Development & Innovation Roadmap
Other designs I did for client presentations:
Other designs I did for client presentations:
REFLECTION
Over the course of my 12 weeks at IBM, I gained new perspectives on how language shapes understanding in tech, how to tailor to the different values of stakeholders, and how to distill complex concepts into everyday language. In a team that places high value on collaboration and innovation, I came to prioritize making our design language and narratives as accessible as possible. These projects strengthened my foundation in visual communication and taught me how to design for a rapidly evolving environment.
REFLECTION
Over the course of my 12 weeks at IBM, I gained new perspectives on how language shapes understanding in tech, how to tailor to the different values of stakeholders, and how to distill complex concepts into everyday language. In a team that places high value on collaboration and innovation, I came to prioritize making our design language and narratives as accessible as possible. These projects strengthened my foundation in visual communication and taught me how to design for a rapidly evolving environment.
REFLECTION
Over the course of my 12 weeks at IBM, I gained new perspectives on how language shapes understanding in tech, how to tailor to the different values of stakeholders, and how to distill complex concepts into everyday language. In a team that places high value on collaboration and innovation, I came to prioritize making our design language and narratives as accessible as possible. These projects strengthened my foundation in visual communication and taught me how to design for a rapidly evolving environment.