Temporary Assignment - Jesse Hoek: CI Visual Pipeline Canvas

Intent

This issue describes how @jhoek will provide design support to the Visual Pipeline Canvas project between December 8-19, 2025.

Why

Additional Product Design support will allow us better define requirements and deliverables to help the engineering team with the implementation of the CI Visual Pipeline Canvas in GitLab, and support its eventual launch as BETA in %19.0. Jesse's input will allow Veethika to focus on the ongoing research projects and make technical decisions with the team relayed to the Canvas.

This assignment also offers Jesse potential knowledge overlap between CI/CD and the workflow engine explorations already underway within Switchboard as we prepare to expand to support more complex orchestration for Dedicated tenants and eventually maybe even Cells.

🤝 Responsibilities

Pipeline Canvas

Onboarding

• https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/work_items/19650+ - Review main design planning issue to gain context. Reach out to @veethika and @rayana for support.
• Join #f_visual_pipeline_canvas
• Attend the Visual Pipeline Canvas Weekly Sync (Thursdays)

Exit Criteria for the assignment

• Best practices for the main canvas interactions, UX of left side panel, and navigating through forms on canvas and are documented in Figma and GitLab issues. Specific tasks listed below:
  • Make AI suggestion node variations for different kinds of suggestions we'd surface on the canvas and the left panel
  • Audit states for all the buttons/clickable items we're using in the design and make sure we define each state required. eg. connectors, mini-graph, nodes.
  • [Stretch] Help Veethika define responsive behaviour for at least 3 viewport sizes.
• Canvas prototypes are updated and meet the Pajamas and GitLab branding guidelines. Ensure Figma files are organised for future maintainability.
• https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/work_items/580602+ is updated with results. Consider keeping the SSOT in Figma rather than an issue.
• (If needed) Support Veethika in finalising the prototypes for https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/ux-research/-/work_items/3665+ [Done]

Switchboard

During this period, we'll ensure Jesse is still available in Switchboard to contribute to:

• Key initiatives Emergency Maintenance and Migrations Design Sprint Planning during this period (all).
• Reviewing MRs, responding to UX-related questions, providing feedback related to inflight development work, or responding to Slack inquiries.
  • The Switchboard team will tag Amy as well as Jesse for UX support so Jesse doesn't need to actively monitor all issues.
• Attend PM/EM weekly syncs
  • @ashiel and @lbortins will keep their weekly syncs with Jesse but commit to async prep beforehand to minimize context switching for Jesse.
  • Note: Consider attending the team rituals async.