When Windows Mobile 6.0 was released in 2007, one of the most eye-catching parts of the product was its brand new user interface of which 80% of the visual design was created in Beijing at Advanced Technology Center (ATC) Studios. Started in 2005, the team of 20 designers is a very unique part of ATC, responsible for the user experience design for all projects within the group. At the current stage, ATC Studios focuses all aspects of design, including interaction design, visual design, user research, and prototyping.

The team has been actively involved in the design work for a series of Microsoft core products including Windows Vista, Windows Mobile 6 and Microsoft Surface. ATC Studios is currently responsible for 90% of the visual design as well as contributes to several media interaction design features for Windows Mobile’s future versions and partner specific releases. The team also looks after the interaction and visual design for the Visual Concierge project and other design needs for Microsoft Surface. Another important aspect the team has expertise in is design testing, which aims to ensure that all designs are accurately reflected in the final product. Last year the team successfully completed the visual testing for Windows Vista by filing more than 85% of all visual-related bugs.

The team is dedicated to the "concept development" of new projects and products and embraces a goal of becoming a top studio for designers, both in China and at Microsoft. Traditionally there are two design models—product specific design teams or centralized design studios. Product specific teams focus on a specific area, whereas centralized studios work across a range of different product areas. The growth of design needs across ATC has provided ATC Studios the opportunity to evolve from a product specific team to a centralized studio, combining experiences and advantages from both models and providing designers with the excitement of creating innovative products for China and for the world.

Why join Microsoft? Although I was educated as an architect in college, I have always been passionate about technology and its impact on society. I found that I spent most of my spare time studying computer programming while I was in college. I worked in an architectural studio for one year before I made the decision that I wanted to do something else; something that could impact millions of people’s lives around the world. I looked around and found Microsoft to be the perfect company that offered the opportunities that no others could. So, I decided to come to Microsoft to make a difference.

What do you like about Microsoft? I like Microsoft because it’s a place where anyone with the passion to make a difference can do just that. I get to work with some of the most talented people in the world. I particularly enjoy working within the China R&D Group because of the energetic atmosphere here.

What's it like on the job? Working as a User Experience Designer in the team is one of the coolest jobs you can find. You go from dreaming about the vision of the product with team members from other disciplines, to actually turning this vision into reality. I use the word 'dream' here because we don’t have any boundaries when we think about the vision of the product. However, design is not just about dreaming things that will always stay on paper. It’s about making things work the way the end users expect them to work with just the right amount of delightful unexpected results. In short, I think working as a user experience designer is one of the most fun and challenging jobs in Microsoft. I love it!

Why join Microsoft? My dream is to make real software products that can be used by everyone in the world. I graduated from Shanghai JiaoTong University in July 2006 and when I started job hunting I told myself – I’m looking for a place that makes great software products, which keeps you passionate at work, and gives you a chance to change the world through computers and software.

What do you like about Microsoft? When I stepped into the office for the interview I realized that this was exactly the type of place I wanted. Firstly, Microsoft has always had strong competitors, but the list of top competitors seems to change every five years or so - Microsoft however, has remained year after year. The only way to stand out on top for so many years is by continuously making great products. Secondly, I saw and felt the passion for technology from my interviewers. Some of them are engineers and I felt I was living in the same world with them. I really wanted to work with them and to learn from them. Finally, there are great opportunities and big challenges in Microsoft. I believe those who want to become the best engineers must work with the best engineers. Microsoft is changing the world. I want to be one of the people who will leave their footprint on software that will make people's lives easier and better.

What's it like on the job? I worked in Windows Home Server team and our product was announced by Bill Gates in January 2007. The people I am working with are great and I have had the pleasure of working on a number of really cool, cutting-edge technologies that are changing the way people use software and computers - which is a part of my dream! I have been wearing the Microsoft identity with pride since I started. Microsoft is the best company I can imagine myself working for as a software developer. I believe I made a great decision to come on board with Microsoft at the start of my career.

Why join Microsoft? I joined Microsoft in 2005, after I received my bachelors degree. At that time, there were only 20 employees in the group and I started to working on my project with my mentor immediately. My first project was a component of Windows Communication Foundation (shipped together with Windows Vista), and my job was to keep the component quality by designing and writing automation test cases.

What do you like about Microsoft? I love this place and I love this company. There so many challenging jobs that get me excited and there are so many talented people in Microsoft. It's a great experience to work together with them. Sometimes when I encounter.Net technical problems, I send an email to some Microsoft internal email discussion groups for help. These discussion groups are full of talented people and even the developers of .Net. I can get an answer directly from those developers. Who can know .Net better than them! Also, the company provides a great working environment. I have flexible working times, which means I can sleep to 9am in the morning, without worrying if my boss is going to be angry. I can play pool in the office anytime I want, with free drinks, fruit, cookies……

What's it like on the job? Software testing in Microsoft is a challenging but very interesting job. I have to use my full imagination to think about how I can break a piece of code and how users would use our software. I need to analyze the failure test case logs to find deep hidden bugs, which can be very challenging. I learned a lot from my first experience and was then able to take ownership of a feature just half a year after I joined Microsoft. I worked on that feature for about one year until it shipped with Vista. Now I can proudly say that my efforts can be seen in Vista!

Why join Microsoft? I graduated in 1999 and joined Microsoft in 2000. In 2004, I left the company but came back one year later. Why? First of all, it is because I feel Microsoft cares about people, cares about your career path and will enhance your technical skills. Also, the managers are very nice, can give you support in many ways and help you to overcome your shortcomings. The company also has a very relaxed environment. It's hard to find all these elements in other companies. Therefore, I chose, and chose once again - Microsoft.

What do you like about Microsoft? The environment in Microsoft can help you grow faster than other companies and can create the best conditions for your future development. In general, IT professionals can only undertake their careers when they are young. So, do Microsoft's employees have a sense of danger gambling their prime years on securing a brighter professional future? Actually, there are many such cases in Microsoft: an engineer did testing for a few years, and then changed his profession to become a manager. What Microsoft cares about is your career path and your whole life. When you are 30 - 40 years old and face a dimming career prospect, you will probably say goodbye to promotion if you are in other companies. In Microsoft, however, even though you may be less suited to writing code at 40, you can be a manager or a director. The company offers you a variety of possibilities to pursue for your career. Therefore, I believe that people with enthusiasm and positive attitude will never be defeated.

Why join Microsoft? Out of love of computer sciences, I had been seeking a pure and rich research environment to have a peace of mind so I could patiently undertake research work I liked. I once had a heart-to-heart conversation with Wang Jian, assistant managing director of the Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) and he gave me sincere encouragement. I accepted the fact that "this place offers the best research environment in China I was looking for". I then joined the MSRA and have stayed here ever since.

What do you like about Microsoft? MSRA is a place where numerous elites gather and incredible miracles are created. Never could I imagine these IT achievements until I came here.

What's it like on the job? This is a place where you can find friends who can cherish the same ideals and pursue the same dreams with you. Here, you can easily bring your talents into play and produce valuable outcomes. When I work in here, I have a genuine feeling that this is a holy land for elite culture, a strong magnetic field attracting talented minds, and a place where miracles are advocated and bred. At any moment and any place, you can always feel the aura of heroism reflected around you. Microsoft is a place where dreams come true and so many dream seekers work hard for their dreams. If you have the same passion and ideals, we're waiting for you to join us!