How do you monetize premium visual creation experiences without hindering the user experience?

When Microsoft Designer switched to a freemium monetization model, our goal was to create an engaging free experience that allowed for beautiful creation while keeping users craving more from our premium Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscriptions. 

As the lead Product Designer for this initiative, I led the overall design strategy, focusing on enhancing the upgrade experience. My responsibilities included revamping our boost coin icon, creating engaging onboarding moments, and ensuring a seamless monetization process that aligns with our integrated Microsoft 365 experiences, all while preserving the integrity of the user creation journey. Throughout the project, I collaborated closely with a team consisting of two product managers, four software engineers, and a content designer.

Our new boost model was released in October 2024 to over 5 million users.