Revolutionizing the BIOS

For years, navigating the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) was a task met with trepidation by even the most seasoned computer users. The traditional text-only interface, while functional, was often perceived as complex and difficult to navigate. Intel recognized the need for a paradigm shift, envisioning a more intuitive and user-friendly way for enthusiasts and everyday users alike to interact with fundamental computer settings. To bring this vision to life, Intel turned to Concrete, tasking them with conceptualizing and developing a groundbreaking graphical interface built upon the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).

The Challenge: Transforming Tradition

The core challenge was to transform the historically text-heavy and often intimidating BIOS into a visually engaging and easily navigable environment. Concrete was tasked with improving the information architecture and developing a consistent visual language that would simplify access to a wide range of computer functions, including crucial overclocking and performance enhancements. Until this point, managing BIOS settings was often a complex endeavor, but Intel aimed to significantly reduce this complexity with a new, visual approach.

Concrete's Innovative Approach: A Focus on User Experience

Concrete's proposed strategy centered on creating a consistent visual language and restructuring the interface into an easier-to-use dashboard. This high-level overview would provide immediate access to key settings, while advanced users would still retain fine-grained control through advanced settings. Recognizing the diverse user base, Concrete designed two distinct UI skins: one tailored for the extreme series boards (with a distinctive aesthetic), and another designed for users of mainstream boards. This demonstrated a keen understanding of different user needs and preferences.

The design process involved the creation of visually pleasing interfaces with controls organized in a consistent manner. Concrete also ensured that the graphics were optimized for the target environment and delivered in separate packages. Throughout the project, Concrete collaborated closely with the Intel team on implementation, providing valuable advice on UX issues. Early stages involved extensive interaction design and the development of visual mood boards to establish the desired look and feel.

A Glimpse into the Future: The Visual BIOS Experience

The resulting Intel Visual BIOS (VBIOS) represented a significant leap forward in BIOS design. Beyond the traditional keyboard input, the VBIOS offered mouse support and even touchscreen capabilities on compatible systems. This intuitive interaction model, coupled with a striking "Bladerunner-esque blue/black schematic," created an immersive and modern user experience.

"Not only can you use the VBIOS with the mouse and keyboard, but if your system supports it, it's also touchscreen-enabled... Couple this with the Bladerunner-esque blue/black schematic and you'll feel like you're overclocking in the future...". - Gamers Nexus

The Visual BIOS provided a consistent visual interface for editing most computer functions, making tasks like overclocking and performance tuning more accessible. The intuitive design allowed users to easily navigate through settings and understand the impact of their changes.

Overwhelmingly Positive Reception: A Testament to Success

The introduction of the Visual BIOS on Intel's DZ77GA-70K Extreme Series desktop board marked Intel's first venture into UEFI with a graphical interface, and the critical response was overwhelmingly positive. Initial reviews lauded the Visual BIOS for its smooth scrolling, responsiveness, good looks, and bold re-imagining of what working with BIOS should be like.

Reviewers were quick to recognize the significant improvement over traditional BIOS interfaces. One publication stated, "... the UEFI BIOS feature, and yes it is as impressive as it looks... A massive improvement over the classic BIOS alright.". Another review highlighted the impact on user-friendliness, noting, "... but this is the first Intel board we’ve tested that offered the feature. It makes a difference; the board is much easier to configure and offers a wealth of information in a much more accessible way."

The consensus was clear: Intel, with the design partnership of Concrete, had not only entered the graphical BIOS arena but had set a new standard.

"Daaaaaaaang. No, really: daaaaaang. It's that good... Intel's Visual BIOS doesn’t only look impressive, it’s highly functional. It works amazingly well and feels fluid... We were impressed with the depth of configuration and ease-of-use, two terms that, prior to [a point in time], were rarely associated with BIOS." - Gamers Nexus

Ingredients for Success: A Collaborative Effort

The successful creation of the Intel Visual BIOS was the result of several key factors:

• A client focused on obtaining user feedback, even within project constraints. This commitment to understanding user needs was crucial in shaping the design.

• Flexible client and research teams that were able to conduct user testing efficiently and economically. This allowed for iterative improvements based on real user insights.

• Great collaboration between Concrete and Intel, with both teams willing to consider and adopt UX recommendations, even when they differed from initial assumptions. This open and collaborative environment fostered innovation.

• An engineering team at Intel willing to invest in making the desired interactions and visuals possible. This technical commitment ensured that the design vision could be fully realized.

• Visual design that fit within platform capabilities, with precision-built assets that enabled efficient implementation by engineers. This focus on practicality ensured a smooth development process.

Continuing Innovation

Building upon the success of the initial Visual BIOS, Concrete also collaborated on the next generation of the Intel Integrator Assistant. This work allowed for further OEM customization of the Visual BIOS and other modern Intel BIOS files, demonstrating a continued commitment to enhancing the user experience in this critical area.

A New Era for BIOS

The development of the Intel Visual BIOS, in partnership with Concrete, marked a significant turning point in the history of computer interfaces. By transforming the traditional text-based BIOS into a visually rich and intuitive environment, Intel significantly enhanced the user experience for enthusiasts and mainstream users alike. The overwhelmingly positive reception from reviewers and users validated the effectiveness of Concrete's user-centered design approach and Intel's forward-thinking vision. The Visual BIOS not only simplified critical system configuration but also set a new benchmark for BIOS design, paving the way for future innovations in firmware interfaces.