Flow: Files & Assets
File handling in Flow
As the sole product designer on Flow, it was my responsibility to carve out the look and feel for these pages, as well as solve our UX problems.
File Management Issues
We need to create a smoother, more intuitive solution to files than our existing file management system.
Dedicated Files Page
Instead of housing files on the right sidebar as a tab, we need to break them out into their own page with better organization and accessibility.
Project Objectives
- Make files feel more accessible and comfortable on Flow
- Create an intuitive page within Flow's system
- Improve file versioning and permissions
Page Overview
The Files and Assets page provided another way to experience an organization's progress on a product or deliverable by seeing a file and having its version synced with the last time it was updated on Dropbox, Google Drive, or SharePoint. Only the primary stakeholder of a deliverable would have unrestricted access to all of a file's versions as shown below, to ensure everyone on the team could only download and share the most recent or 'correct' version of a file.
Main Files and Assets page showing file organization and versioning
Work in progress view with enhanced file management features
Key Features
Version Control
Automatic syncing with cloud storage platforms ensures teams always work with the latest file versions.
Permission System
Role-based access ensures only primary stakeholders can manage all versions while team members access current files.
Cloud Integration
Seamless integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, and SharePoint for unified file management.
Outcome
The Files and Assets page provided a new way for users to experience their content more matter-of-factly without the view of the timeline. Direct feedback from one customer said that the versioning system and versioning permissions saved lots of time and meta work on their part.