Canvas: A Reimagined Desktop

overview

The creation of Canvas addressed long-standing challenges in how users interact with Terminal workflows. It was designed to modernize the experience by extending Launchpad’s capabilities while removing the need to rely on memorized commands or isolated tools. Canvas brings clarity to cluttered workflows by introducing intuitive window management, shared cross-user visibility, and easier access to tools. As one of the first projects to challenge Launchpad in a more visual and collaborative way, Canvas also helped shape new standards for how Bloomberg tools can feel simple, discoverable, and consistent.

My Role

user problems when using the Terminal

Too many applications

The Terminal relies on users knowing the exact command to run. With over 10k tools, users are expected to memorize commands. There’s no built-in way to discover what’s available, making the experience intimidating for new users and inefficient even for experienced ones.

LP pixel-dependent

Terminal setups often break when switching between different screen sizes, setups, or external monitors. Window arrangements, command output formatting, and even navigation can be heavily tied to a user's display environment—reducing portability and usability.

Isolated solutions

The Terminal excels at executing isolated tasks, but it lacks awareness of multi-tool workflows. Users are forced to manually glue workflows together, often with brittle scripts or tribal knowledge. Additionally, there is no way to share workflow views across teammates, making collaboration harder.

Opportunities with Canvas

Too many to 1 command

With Canvas, users can launch workflows using a single, self-named command —no need to memorize tool-specific syntax. Unlike Launchpad, which limits users to opening one view at a time, Canvas supports opening multiple canvases in parallel. This enables fast, seamless context switching and improves productivity.

Resolution independent

Unlike Launchpad, which is frameless and can behave unpredictably across different screen sizes or monitor setups, Canvas introduces structure, by framing views that anchor tools exactly where users expect them. This ensures a consistent experience regardless of device or environment, reducing friction when switching setups or sharing screens.

Connected workflows

Canvas automatically links apps within a view, so when a user views a specific data point, all apps in the canvas update in sync. This creates a truly context-aware environment where tools communicate with each other—eliminating the isolation of workflows and reducing the need for manual, repeated updates.

requirements definition

Client Use Cases & Permissioning

User permissions were a critical component in shaping how Canvas could be effectively deployed across different teams.

For clients looking to deliver dashboards tailored to specific roles—such as traders, analysts, or compliance teams—Canvas introduced granular permission controls that ensured each user saw only what was relevant to their function.

This role-based access allowed organizations to build a single canvas template that dynamically adapted based on the user’s identity, reducing configuration overhead while maintaining control and security.

Planning & Scoping

We gathered requirements, translated them into user stories, and estimated effort across UX and Engineering. Stories were then prioritized collaboratively by Product and UX to shape a roadmap focused on user impact and delivery efficiency.

designs

Add Partitions / Apps

Add / Remove Tabs

Launch Canvas

Product highlights

First Release

Following its launch to 600 users, Canvas saw strong engagement with 69% daily, 87% weekly, and 89% monthly active usage. This indicates users are not only trying the product but incorporating it into their daily workflows. Feedback has been positive, with many users replacing their traditional Launchpad views in favor of Canvas, citing its improved speed, focused context handling, and ability to link multiple apps in one place automatically. While some users continue to rely on Launchpad for monitoring and other needs, Canvas is quickly becoming the preferred interface for many users that benefit from its collaborative and role-based design.

Second Release

Planned for September 30th, 2025.

Company-Wide Presentations

To build momentum for Canvas, I presented the concept alongside the lead engineer and product manager at company-wide town halls in New York and London, as well as at the Bloomberg Developer Conference. These sessions helped us share the vision, demonstrate early prototypes, and generate strong interest and early support across the organization.