Aero Files
Utilitarian Design
Figma
Demo of the application.
What
I designed a user-friendly desktop application for efficiently batch-renaming files. The app supports renaming individual files or large batches, offering core features such as full file renaming, prefix/suffix appending, and automatic sequencing. The goal was creating an arranged experience that simplifies a usually tedious process for people handling large amounts of files.
The application’s light mode.
The application’s dark mode.
Why
Batch-renaming files is often a repetitive task that can easily overwhelm users, especially when working with large quantities. This application aimed to simplify that workflow by designing a software that balances power and clarity.
How
The application was designed with simplicity and clarity, allowing users to preview changes and apply batch modifications in just a few steps. The visual direction drew from Microsoft’s vintage design language to make the interface more inviting. It incorporated soft gradients and glossy surfaces to avoid the bland and mechanical tone often seen in utility software.
Process
I looked into the type of aesthetic that would make the app feel approachable to use and researched existing batch-renaming tools (Bulk Rename Utility, Advanced Renamer) to understand how they functioned and what features they offered. From there, I shaped the user flow, developed the interface with visual components and color schemes to convey specific atmospheres, and created several drafts along the way.
User Flow
The application’s user flow.
Components
The visual styling took inspiration from Windows Aero, the design language used for Windows Vista and 7 which influenced the visual polish later refined in Microsoft’s Fluent design systems. Interface elements like buttons, input fields, and window frames were designed with soft highlights, translucency, and subtle gradients to bring a nostalgic tone.
Color
The application features two distinct color options: Frutiger Aurora for light mode and Frutiger Dark for dark mode, each designed to create a unique setting. Frutiger Aurora takes inspiration from the cool blues of Windows 7’s wallpapers to create a serene setting. Frutiger Dark is based on the deep blacks of Windows Vista Ultimate’s wallpapers to create a sleek and bold atmosphere. Together, these options offer users a visually dynamic and adaptable interface, allowing them to choose an atmosphere that best suits their environment or mood.
The wallpaper used for Windows 7’s login screen.
A wallpaper used for Windows Vista Ultimate.
Drafts
Early draft of the file screen’s light mode.
The design’s foundation gradually took shape, with the bottom bar layout going through several versions before a final structure was settled on.
Early draft of the file screen’s light mode.
File thumbnails were initially meant to display the image contents but were replaced with standard icons, as small images didn’t appear visually effective at that scale. To improve spacing, the app’s dimensions were first changed horizontally, then vertically, to better adjust the bottom bar’s layout.
Early draft of the file screen’s dark mode.
The navigation pane initially featured a raindrop effect inspired by iOS backgrounds, but was later replaced with a design reflecting sun rays to symbolize the transition from rain to sun, and vice versa between the modes.
Early draft of the file screen’s dark mode.
Thunder effects was originally added into the navigation pane but were removed as they conflicted with the sleek tone of the design.
Final Results
Mockup of the file screen’s light mode.
Mockup of the file screen’s dark mode.