ProtonMail

Overview

ProtonMail stands as a vanguard in the realm of email services, providing unparalleled security through its end-to-end encryption. Nestled in the tech-savvy heart of Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, since 2013, the company has emphasized user privacy and data protection, contrasting traditional email providers like Gmail and Outlook.com. My tenure as an in-house designer at ProtonMail saw me deep-diving into numerous design explorations, predominantly focusing on iterating and refining interface, application and website designs.

The ProtonMail user is distinct - valuing privacy, security, and digital sovereignty. Catering to this discerning audience required a design that was not only user-friendly but also communicated the essence of ProtonMail's encryption-first ethos. While ProtonMail's foundational design language was well-established, the objective was continuous enhancement.

The challenge lay in balancing familiarity with fresh design elements, ensuring that users always felt at home while enjoying an ever-evolving, modern design experience. The homepage, being the initial touchpoint for many users, received special attention. The goal was to succinctly convey the powerful encryption tools at work behind the scenes without overwhelming users with technical jargon. Visual metaphors, strategic color palettes, and concise content collaborated to illustrate ProtonMail’s promise of unparalleled email security.

Moreover, given ProtonMail’s global user base, care was taken to ensure that the website’s design was universally intuitive, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries. With design drafts in tow, prototypes were developed, acting as a bridge between design concepts and tangible user experiences. These prototypes were frequently shared within the ProtonMail team. Their insights, stemming from diverse departments, from engineering to marketing, enriched the design process, ensuring it was aligned with ProtonMail's overarching vision.