Cloud Services

Relational Database Onboarding

AWS Relational Database Service (RDS) Onboarding Redesign is a project aimed at improving the first-time user experience for AWS’s managed database platform. The goal was to make onboarding more intuitive, supportive, and confidence-building for new users navigating complex technical setups.

Project type

UX Redesign

Company

Amazon AWS

Location

USA

Industry

Cloud Services

Role

UX Designer

Timeline

5 months

Introduction

For anyone stepping into the world of databases, the learning curve is steep. Setting one up feels overwhelming, and even for experts, fine-tuning it remains a challenge.

Current Experience

To ground this project in reality, we started by walking through the current AWS RDS onboarding flow

Solution

Instead of asking users to configure everything from scratch, we reimagined onboarding as a guided experience. By leading with AI and use-case–based templates, users are shown only what’s necessary for their specific goal, reducing decision fatigue while preserving flexibility for advanced users

Monitoring the Database

After setup, users land on the database dashboard to monitor performance and take action.

Solution

After setup, users land on the database dashboard to monitor performance and take action.

Our Design Process

To bridge technical complexity and user confidence, we followed a research-driven, iterative process spanning discovery, user research, prototyping, and usability testing

Synthesizing Insights

After gathering insights from all our research methods, we brought everything together using tools like FigJam, Dovetail, and in-person affinity mapping. Through this synthesis, five key themes emerged that shaped our understanding of the onboarding experience

We found that the cluttered interface increased cognitive load, making it harder for users to make clear decisions. This visual complexity often left users feeling lost and unsure how to navigate or find resources. Together, these challenges highlighted a common need — for clearer structure and more guided support throughout the journey.

Design Opportunities & Next Steps

We translated our insights into five key design opportunities focused on simplifying setup, guiding decisions, and improving discoverability

AI-Led Ideation and Iteration

We translated our insights into five key design opportunities focused on simplifying setup, guiding decisions, and improving discoverability

Usability Testing & Design Refinement

Once our concept was in place, we conducted usability testing to validate the new mental model for users. Feedback from moderated interviews and unmoderated surveys helped us balance technical accuracy with visual clarity

AI-Led Ideation and Iteration

Using an agile mindset, we leveraged AI prototyping tools to test ideas early and iterate rapidly

Usability Testing & Design Refinement

Design Impact

Insights from 35+ unmoderated usability testing showed a clear reduction in user friction. The final designs helped users move through tasks more decisively, with fewer pauses and less uncertainty compared to the previous experience.

Design Validation and High Fidelity Prototypes

Final validation showed that guiding users through setup with a mix of AI-driven assistance and structured templates reduced friction and improved confidence. This clarity established early in the journey translated into a more intuitive and purposeful dashboard experience

Design Validation and High Fidelity Prototypes

Design Impact

Reflections

Using AI tools enabled faster ideation and iteration, allowing us to test ideas early and refine solutions with greater agility

Simplifying a technically dense experience reinforced that clarity comes from thoughtful structure and guidance and not by removing complexity altogether.

Working closely with researchers, designers, and stakeholders highlighted how essential collaboration is to building confident, user-centered solutions.

Overall, this experience strengthened my ability to design and reaffirm that strong UX is built at the intersection of technology, insight, and teamwork

Let's create impactful designs together!

Thanks for taking the time to explore my work. If you’re looking for a designer who loves bringing ideas to life, let’s chat — I’m just a message away!

nmehta11@ucsc.edu↗

Medium