This project was a fascinating experience; I learned so much from the process of designing for a platform besides web or mobile.

This project was a fascinating experience; I learned so much from the process of designing for a platform besides web or mobile.

The style guide our team created as part of development.

Working on this project allowed me to further hone my Figma skills, in screen design as well as prototyping. I had to consider new factors, such as restrictive hardware, an unconventional screen shape, and more. This was also my first experience working on two protoypes that were separate but meant to have a family feeling; I learned a lot about how one can create cohesion between two similar but different designs.

Working on this project allowed me to further hone my Figma skills, in screen design as well as prototyping. I had to consider new factors, such as restrictive hardware, an unconventional screen shape, and more. This was also my first experience working on two protoypes that were separate but meant to have a family feeling; I learned a lot about how one can create cohesion between two similar but different designs.

I learned about standard accessibility requirements while working on this project as well, and how to accommodate such standards while keeping the ideal design aesthetics in mind. This was also my first experience working on a detailed component library and style guide, and I feel much more confident in my abilities after the project's ten-week course.

I learned about standard accessibility requirements while working on this project as well, and how to accommodate such standards while keeping the ideal design aesthetics in mind. This was also my first experience working on a detailed component library and style guide, and I feel much more confident in my abilities after the project's ten-week course.

My Takeaways

Home

Mobile Device

Add Event


Click the + to add a temperature event at a currently selected time.

Edit Event


Temperature events can be dragged to a new position to change the temperature and set time.

Eco Range


Suggested economical temperature range that updates live, based on current temperature and outdoor conditions.

Scheduling

Stats


Show a brief summary of any related information the user might want to know.

Temperature change


These arrows allow the user to adjust the temperature. Mode switches between heating and cooling automatically.

Information


At-a-glance summary of the mode, time until the set temperature is reached, and the current eco range.

Scheduling

Presets

Settings

Mobile Device

Additional Screens

Information


Users can see their device information and average energy savings from eco mode functions.

Additional Settings


More standard settings such as temperature units, language, support and more.

Choose a Preset


Users can select a pre-existing preset or create their own based on seasons, events, and individuals.

Presets

An improved homescreen, with differentiation between the current and set temperature indicators.

New eco mode indicator that lights up when the set temp is within the eco range.

Menu

Editing

Schedule

Home

Thermostat Device

Rather than a range of time, events appear as single temperatures with lines to show the user a more detailed look into how the thermostat adjusts itself.

Final Screens

Users can set and edit temperature events at any time. A redesigned eco range indicator, as well as a revised layout and improved colors for accessibility standards.

Clarified temp transition indicators, improved icons.

Rather than a range of time, events appear as single temperatures with lines to show the user a more detailed look into how the thermostat adjusts itself.

Acting upon the changes we decided on after user testing, we developed our final prototype.

Acting upon the changes we decided on after user testing, we developed our final prototype.

A clearer, more detailed economical temperature range ("eco mode").

Removed focus mode on the temperature events, since users' finger would cover it.

Removed focus mode on the temperature events, since users' finger would cover it.

Allowed users to edit directly on the schedule screen using drag interactions, removing the edit mode pop up.

Allowed users to edit directly on the schedule screen using drag interactions, removing the edit mode pop up.

Added option for different schedules based on the current season.

Added option for different schedules based on the current season.

Allowed users to scroll through days of the week on the scheduling screen.

Mobile Device

Implemented changes

Clarity

Interaction

Navigation

Users struggled to understand military time, so it was changed to 12 hour time.

Rather than a range of time, events appear as single temperatures with lines to show the user a more detailed look into how the thermostat adjusts itself.

Time editor pop-up removed for a more streamlined flow.

Flexibility

Usability

Thermostat Device

Rather than a range of time, events appear as single temperatures with lines to show the user a more detailed look into how the thermostat adjusts itself.

Implemented Changes

Scroll features


Edit Temperature to 67


Adjust Time to 12:15


Mode Control

Navigate to Tuesday


Edit Temperature to 67


Adjust Time to 12:15


Mode Control

We moved into user testing to assess the effectiveness of our design and its content.

Device Tasks

Mobile Tasks

Observation sessions were held in which users completed a set of tasks around the main goal of editing a temperature event in the schedule. Observers took notes and recorded rates of completion, and after each session every user completed the System Usability Scale's questionnaire.

Observing the patterns in how users responded to certain design choices, noting where users struggled and what caused confusion, and recording users' final thoughts after the test guided us to actionable insights which we used to design our final high-fidelity prototype.

Our process began with visually defining the terms "high-end" and "innovative."

Our project envisions a re-imagined and redesigned Google Nest 3 Thermostat based off the key terms "high-end" and "innovative, designed specifically towards early-adopting tech enthusiasts who crave cutting-edge experiences. While functional, the current interface lacks the visual sophistication and new features that tech enthusiasts yearn for.


Our goal is to act on the opportunity to elevate the user experience by tapping into that existing issue. By transforming the thermostat interface and its accompanying mobile app, we aim to craft a premium, elegant aesthetic that elevates user interaction without altering the hardware.

Higher perceived value, improved features and usability. Catered towards tech enthusiasts who yearn for the latest and greatest.

We achieved this through moodboarding as a group, casting a broad net and collecting 193 images, creating a final board of 83.

We had a total of 7 user participants.

Our first low-fi prototype, inspired by the current Nest design and our collection of images for inspiration.

The best images were selected by group discussion and narrowing the board down one by one. Once we narrowed this selection down to 5 key images, we used them as inspiration for our first set of low-fidelity screens, and our first prototype.

My role on this project was the Assistant Lead. My responsibilities included screen iteration, prototyping, style guides, component standardization, presentation and project organization.

A high-end redesign of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Meet our team.

Low-Fidelity Screens

Our process began with visually defining the terms "high-end" and "innovative."