In today's context, with large hard discs and network connectivity, we store an enormous number of files on local discs; as a result, maintenance and retrieval become tough. Aggravating the problem, most people have tendencies towards haphazard file management. It becomes practically impossible to locate files when file names or folder locations are forgotten. A variety of user research was done to unearth individuals' habits and tendencies pertaining to file management. A parallel study of current technological trends and research in visualisations was undertaken.

The main file management problems were attributed to the lack of differentiation between folders, not being able to guess the contents of the folder from outside, the necessity to remember accurate folder locations and file names, and the lack of supportive tools. Based on the findings, a conceptual system called ‘viewport’ was developed. It is a recognition-based file system that uses a zoomable interface paradigm for navigation. The system supports a new visualisation system that allows for quick, efficient ways to find a required file and accommodates informal ways of managing files.