Back to projects
Transformation @ Apple

Transformation @ Apple

Mary A. Hayne / January 16, 2024

Project Overview

The Platform team at Apple was tasked with building a Pilot component library for a transformative upgrade to Apple’s marketing website, migrating the site to a CMS-driven architecture using Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) in a headless configuration. The project’s goal was to significantly streamline the content management process and improve design consistency across platforms.

My primary focus was on bringing advanced expertise in React, TypeScript, and Next.js to a team transitioning to these technologies. I led the development of complex, reusable UI components and contributed to the foundational architecture that made this transformation possible.

img accordion The recently launched page can be seen here

Key Contributions

  • Developed Modular & Responsive Components: One key example was the Image Accordion component, a complex feature designed to maintain visual consistency and optimize performance across different devices by utilizing a single responsive image asset. I implemented adaptive logic to handle viewport-specific interactions and layout changes efficiently using React Hooks and responsive styling techniques.

  • Pioneered Type-Safe Integration with CMS: I spearheaded the integration of strictly typed data using TypeBox and JSON Schema, enforcing a type-safe conduit between AEM and our React components. This approach minimized runtime errors and improved developer experience by leveraging TypeScript's static analysis capabilities. It was critical in meeting a key stakeholder deadline two weeks ahead of schedule.

  • Built an Atomic Component Library: I developed the architecture and testing strategies for an atomic design system. This ensured that components adhered to Apple’s high standards and were consistent across platforms. I employed Storybook for isolated component testing and Cucumber for BDD testing, reducing post-release revisions and improving design consistency.

  • Optimized Development Workflows & Collaboration: Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including backend, design, accessibility, and SEO specialists, to deliver high-fidelity components from wireframes to production. This collaborative process led to a 30% reduction in component release cycles and the team’s highest merged PR count.

Challenges & Solutions

  • Adapting to Enterprise-Level CMS Requirements: Building components for an enterprise-level CMS like AEM required extensive coordination and scrupulous attention to detail. I implemented data validation and schema-based configurations to ensure that non-technical content editors could seamlessly populate complex components without introducing errors.

  • Ensuring Accessibility & SEO Standards: We tackled challenges around accessibility and SEO optimization by conducting frequent audits and using internal tools for automated accessibility checks. I integrated ARIA roles and dynamic metadata generation to align the front-end with Apple’s accessibility and SEO guidelines.

Key Learnings

  • Mastered building a type-safe React component system tailored for integration with a headless CMS, leveraging TypeScript and schema-based validation.
  • Developed an appreciation for rigorous design standards and the value of cross-functional collaboration in achieving a unified, high-quality product.
  • Deepened knowledge of responsive design patterns and the use of advanced state management techniques in React.

Tech Stack

  • Frameworks & Libraries: React, Next.js, TypeScript
  • Schema Management: TypeBox, JSON Schema
  • Testing Tools: Cucumber, Storybook
  • CMS: Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)
  • Other: Apple internal tools for accessibility, analytics, and deployment

Conclusion

This project was a highly rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to Apple’s digital transformation efforts. I had the opportunity to lead the final push to load type-safe data from the CMS and present the PoC to stakeholders, showcasing the platform’s capabilities and demonstrating our vision for future development.

NOTE: Due to disclosure agreements, I am not able to publicly the code or deployment details for this project. Please contact me at mary[at]maryahayne.com for more insights into this work.