Summary
TunnelBear is a VPN service with millions of users worldwide.
As the founding designer at TunnelBear, I created the branding, website and core app experiences. I was the sole designer for the first 3 years, but thankfully the design team expanded as TunnelBear grew.
Design considerations
TunnelBear pioneered the idea that everyone should be able to protect their privacy, even without being a security expert. While early competitors focused on complex settings and advanced options, TunnelBear took a different approach, and focused on simplicity.
Building a trustworthy brand was also essential. The VPN industry is rife with shady businesses. TunnelBear stood out by being transparent, offering clear terms of service, and showing that we were real people in a real office—you could even mail us jars of honey as payment (which a few happy users did).
Apps for every device
By injecting a sense of fun and a good dose of humour, I designed desktop and mobile experiences that felt simple and welcoming, hiding the complexity to make apps that anyone could use.
Bringing it to life
Illustration and animation play a vital role in creating an emotional connection with your TunnelBear.
TunnelBear homepage
Driven by its unique branding and user-friendly approach to internet security, TunnelBear grew to over 40 million users across 179 countries. The numerous bears and distinctive design made the concept of VPNs more accessible, allowing TunnelBear to carve out a significant niche in a competitive landscape.
In 2018, this success led to TunnelBear's acquisition by McAfee where it continues to live on.
