I lead software design for our suite of AI-powered features, developed to ease content creation for millions of WordPress customers.
In 2024, as the Product Design Lead for Jetpack AI ↗, I spearheaded the strategy for key initiatives, including In-Editor Image Generation and SEO Tools. Collaborating across divisions, I led the entire process—from Discovery and Research to Product Vision, MVP Scoping, UX/UI Design, Implementation, and Iterative Improvements.
SEO Tools and In-Editor Image Generation
I drove the design and product vision for the two critical projects from concept to launch, guiding the team through research, discovery, planning, prioritization, and scoping. Decisions were made through alignment sessions, workshop facilitation, and strategic stakeholder management.
The hands-on, end-to-end design work required applying systems thinking, grasping and solving complex flows and interactions, navigating several UI platforms, design systems, and open source dependencies, and creating consistency between all our Jetpack and AI powered interfaces, in order to set standards for future AI features.
AI-Powered SEO tool within the editor, integrated with Gutenberg blocks. The wizard style flow analyzes the post, guides the user through several steps and offers suggestions to improve the content for better SEO.
First release of the image generation feature integrated within the Gutenberg Image block. The modal allows for quick image iterations without leaving the post editor.
Second iteration of the image generation feature, adapted to a chat-like experience, but remaining a controlled flow environment. Unlike the modal, the chat box component does not block the editor, and adapts based on the block selected. It serves as a layer between the editor and user, and unifies the UI for all AI features integrated within the Gutenberg blocks.
Additional AI Integration Projects
Other notable AI integration projects include Optimize Title, Voice-To-Post (mobile apps implementation), and AI Writing Assistant, which garnered media attention ↗.
AI Writing Assistant, works right within the WordPress editor, handling blocks, nested blocks, patterns, and more. It’s an editing tool built to streamline the users writing process.
Voice to Post – Jetpack mobile app feature (iOS and Android) that allows users to dictate the content. AI is used to transcribe audio, format the text, and make it publish-ready in the editor.
Results
While still work in progress, the newly launched features have been well-received, with increasing adoption. High acceptance rates indicate these tools are effectively assisting customers in content creation, and strong retention metrics confirm their ongoing value to users.
Daily active users doubled after releasing the image generation features.
“Sanja is great at keeping the team grounded in the customer problem we’re trying to solve. She asks excellent questions to get everyone aligned and to understand the domain, user’s pain points, and the technical limits. Because of her questions, I’ve reviewed assumptions I took for granted. The workshop shaped what we’ll ship for months to come.”
William Viana, Engineering Lead
Sanja played a pivotal role in the successful launch of AI Writing Assistant. Her pragmatic approach was essential in keeping the project scope manageable, making executive decisions swiftly. Thanks to her leadership, we were able to launch in record time, generating significant buzz—including coverage by TechCrunch.
Filipe Varela, Design Director