product design for fast and flexible alternative to photoshop
Client - Totally Rad, Inc., Makers of PixelSugar
THE FUTURE BONES DESIGN STUDIO ©2025
LOS ANGELES CA
PixelSugar is an editing software targeted to pro photographers who want all the effects without all the effort. My challenge was to design a stand-alone application which offers non-destructive photo editing capabilities that would make professionals feel right at home, while also providing a welcoming experience for beginners
The idea behind PixelSugar came from a Photoshop plugin used as the basic idea for a standalone application
Problem:
Existing plugin lacked defined style and had basic editing features much too similar to what Adobe offers. Plugin also requires Photoshop to function
Examples of wireframes and user flows for the file browser navigation. Beginning with a journey map of all basic functions and mapping out each editing feature, we were able to create the most seamless and minimalistic navigation possible
Saving user's Recipes (Custom Filters)
Problem:
Competition with Adobe and other editing software.
Solution:
Several new editing features were added. Custom Recipes allow the user to create custom filters to reuse on new editing sessions. Testing through various prototypes
Solution:
Research was conducted for similar existing applications, pricing, features, and style. I interviewed several professional and hobbyist photographers to discuss which features are the most useful for basic editing on social media as well as the affordability of existing software. Development of a lightweight standalone downloadable app which doesn’t require Photoshop began
To create a moodboard for the visual aesthetics, I turned to fashion and black/white graphics to find clean and minimal design approaches. A similar style you would perhaps see in a designer kitchen (given the name PixelSugar.)
Turning complex into simplicity. Steering away from the dark gray editing room look, and using minimal black and white for easy readability. The app should invite all genders and levels of expertise. I wanted the focus to be the photo being edited. All colors exist only in the photo being edited and have the platform be almost invisible
I created the UI design to be minimal and intuitive in order to allow for responsive animation to exist without feeling overbearing. The file selector was designed to look like an old image slide.
I approached the layout by creating a minimal canvas for the user to easily search and edit their photos. The app’s main features and tools are placed in floating, semi-transparent panels, allowing the user to focus primarily on editing. The top navigation toolbar is invisible, which allows the maximum area for the image to be worked on.
Each panel is permanently set in place, allowing the user to easily switch between features without disrupting the user’s workspace
Pic Tap Go is the Mobile version of PixelSugar incorporating the new editing features from PixelSugar on the go.
After rigorous user testing, editing of the main features, creating different variations of the layout and user flow, the style and simplicity of the original concepts remained relatively the same. I am proud to say I had a large hand in crafting what makes this program so unique. With modern design features, a light weight functionality system, and a one-time purchase price, PixelSugar is now considered by many to be a fantastic alternative to other comparable stand-alone programs available on the market.