Visualizing cloud network infrastructure
Designing intuitive topology views and interactions for unified multi-cloud networking
CLIENT
Alkira
TEAM
Design Lead, UX Strategist, Visual Designer
PRODUCT
Alkira Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service
THE CHALLENGE
Making complex network infrastructure intuitive
Alkira was building a revolutionary Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform that would allow enterprises to connect clouds, data centers, and users through a simple interface. The challenge was to design visualizations and interactions that could represent complex multi-cloud network topologies while remaining intuitive enough for rapid provisioning and management.
- 1Visualizing global network infrastructure across multiple cloud providers
- 2Enabling point-and-click network design without deep networking expertise
- 3Representing complex routing, security, and segmentation in an accessible way
- 4Creating a foundation for the product's visual identity and interaction patterns
OUR APPROACH
From complexity to clarity
Deep Domain Immersion
We worked directly with Alkira's founding team and network architects to understand the intricacies of multi-cloud networking, learning the mental models that would inform our design decisions.
Topology Visualization Design
We created intuitive visual representations for Cloud Exchange Points, network segments, and connectivity flows—enabling users to literally draw their network on a digital canvas.
Interaction Pattern Development
We designed the core interactions for network provisioning, policy configuration, and real-time monitoring, ensuring complex operations felt simple and reversible.
Design System Handoff
As Alkira grew and hired an internal team, we established the design system foundation and patterns they would build upon, ensuring continuity of the design vision.
Cloud Exchange Point Cost Forecasting
Cloud Exchange Initial Setup
DESIGN DELIVERABLES
Core product experiences
Network Topology Canvas
A visual canvas where users can draw their entire network infrastructure, connecting Cloud Exchange Points, sites, and cloud providers with intuitive drag-and-drop interactions.
Cloud Exchange Point Visualization
Clear visual representation of Alkira's global CXPs with real-time status, capacity, and connectivity information displayed at a glance.
Segment & Policy Management
Intuitive interfaces for defining network segments, security policies, and traffic flows without requiring deep networking expertise.
Real-time Monitoring Dashboard
Comprehensive visibility into network health, traffic patterns, and security events across the entire infrastructure footprint.
OUTCOMES
Impact delivered
Minutes not months
Network provisioning reduced from months to minutes with visual interface
Point-and-click simplicity
Complex multi-cloud networks designed without CLI expertise
Single pane of glass
Unified visibility across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid environments
Design foundation
Scalable design system enabling continued product evolution
FOUNDING PARTNERSHIP
Building from zero to product-market fit
Working directly with Alkira's management team from the earliest stages, we served as the design partner that helped translate their revolutionary networking vision into an intuitive product experience. From initial concepts through to a foundation their internal team could build upon, we were embedded in the journey from startup to enterprise-ready platform.
Series B+
Design foundation from seed through growth
Direct Access
Worked alongside founding team and CTO
Team Transition
Handed off to growing internal design team
Ready to visualize complex systems simply?
Let's talk about how Manifest UX can help you design intuitive experiences for technical products.