NameStudioAPI Web Component
The NameStudio API Web Component made Verisign's intelligent domain search accessible to any partner, regardless of technical resources. It needed to be flexible enough to match any brand, robust enough to handle real-world use, and simple enough that developers can integrate it easily.
CLIENT
Verisign, Inc.
Role
UX Designer
Skills
UX Design, Product Design
Verisign's NameStudio is a powerful domain-suggestion engine that helps users discover domain names through intelligent search algorithms. While large registrars could integrate NameStudio through our full API, many smaller partners wanted access to this technology but lacked the development resources for a complete custom build.
Our job was to design a configurator for adap[ting the tools to the regsirarrs website. The question became: how do we democratize access to NameStudio's intelligence without requiring extensive technical implementation?
Our Goals
Partner with engineering to define safe customization boundaries without compromising functionality
Design an intuitive interface for a configurator that makes customization easy for non-technical users
See the live version of the tool
Understanding the Constraints
I started by mapping out what registrars and partners actually needed:
Quick implementation (developers shouldn't need weeks to integrate)
Brand flexibility (it should look like their tool, not ours)
Maintained functionality (customization can't break the search experience)
Designing for Adaptability
I built a modular design system that balanced flexibility with guardrails:
Defined customization boundaries — Identified which variables partners could safely modify (colors, typography, spacing, layout) without compromising usability
Created a scalable UI architecture — Designed components that adapt gracefully to different brand aesthetics while maintaining accessibility and functionality
Established visual constraints — Set intelligent defaults that ensure the component looks polished even with minimal customization
Streamlined integration — Kept the technical implementation lightweight and developer-friendly with clear documentation
The Configuration Interface
Working with the design team, I created an intuitive configuration tool that lets partners:
Preview their brand styles in real time
Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts visually
See how changes affect the component before deployment
Export clean, ready-to-use code
Collaboration & Technical Partnership
I worked closely with engineering throughout development to:
Shape the component's architecture for maximum flexibility
Ensure every customizable element remained robust and maintainable
Balance design flexibility with technical performance
Create clear integration guidelines for partners
The Impact
The NameStudio API Web Component democratized access to Verisign's domain-search intelligence. Partners who previously couldn't justify the resources for a full API integration could now offer sophisticated domain discovery to their customers in hours, not weeks.
By making powerful technology accessible through thoughtful design, we expanded NameStudio's reach while maintaining the quality and reliability Verisign is known for.
