The Microsoft Network wanted an intuitive and friendly interface for novice internet and email users who would most likely be online in the comfort of their own homes.

MSN built their Companion, a laptop email and web browsing device, utilizing the WebTV code base which included key navigation with a focus rectangle instead of the reliable cursor and mouse.

At Surface Design Group, our small team of designers built a complete user experience including interaction design and feature definition for this device.

Our MSN Companion work incorporated a customizable home page, hardware settings, user settings, adding and deleting internet favorites, sending and receiving email, an integrated web browser, Frame a Picture functionality (the device can also be used to display a digital photo within its monitor's frame), a complete set of custom controls, icons, dialogs, device performance notifications and monitoring, status and connection animations, and collaboration with Microsoft's sound designers to create a system of custom audio events and alerts.