NEST Thermostat Redesign

Project Overview

My Role: Project Manager, UX Designer

Team: Gabby Lewis, Anthony Chen, Andoryn Wu, Xuanzi Cao, Kasa Chan

Timeline: 10 weeks

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The Challenge

How might we redesign the Nest UI to be more high-end, innovative, and user-friendly while maintaining the existing hardware constraints?

The Scenario

Google decides to divest non-core businesses. Three managers have different ideas to spin off the Nest Thermostat business, each turning to designers to build a concept to help sell their vision.

Design Constraints

• Hardware remains unchanged
• Design for both embedded and iPhone interfaces
• 3 required screens: Home, Global Navigation, Manual Scheduling
• Embody "high-end" and "innovative" aesthetics

Research Question

What makes a UI design objectively "high-end" and "innovative"? Can these subjective qualities be scientifically quantified through systematic analysis?

Research Methodology

We developed a systematic approach to quantify subjective design qualities, analyzing over 380 images to identify data-driven design patterns.

Quantitative Design Analysis

Our methodology involved collecting over 380 images of interfaces perceived as "high-end" and "innovative," then systematically analyzing them to identify common visual traits and patterns.

Data-Driven Insights

This extensive mood boarding led to the creation of quantifiable data points, which were distilled into actionable design directives. The process proved that subjective aesthetic qualities can be objectively measured and replicated.

Key Discovery

What makes a successful UI "high-end" or "innovative" can be scientifically quantified through systematic visual analysis. This approach transforms subjective design decisions into objective, data-backed choices.

What makes a successful UI, and what makes a UI "high-end", or "innovative", can be scientifically quantified. As a nerd, I found this really cool. It makes the subjective objective.

— Key insight from research methodology

Design Framework

Research-driven design directives translated into a systematic framework for high-end UI aesthetics.

Color Scheme

Monochromatic with vibrant accents

Color Contrast

High contrast ratios

Font Weight

Thin typography

Theme

Dark mode aesthetic

Typeface

Sans serif fonts

Framework Application

These data-driven directives guided every design decision, ensuring consistency across both embedded and mobile interfaces. The chosen design emphasized a sleek, dark mode with shades of blue and purple to convey a futuristic, high-end feel.

Cross-Platform Considerations

We mapped out user flows for both platforms, learning about embedded interface inputs from scratch—a significant challenge compared to familiar phone and desktop interactions.

Design Process

1

Research & Analysis

Collected and analyzed 380+ images to identify quantifiable patterns in high-end and innovative UI design. Created data points and design directives from findings.

2

Individual Concept Development

Each team member proposed individual UI concepts. We selected the most promising design that emphasized sleek dark mode with blue and purple accents.

3

User Flow Mapping

Mapped user flows for both embedded and mobile platforms, learning embedded interface constraints and input methods from scratch.

4

Testing & Iteration

Conducted usability testing using System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Used SUS scores to allocate resources and prioritize interface improvements.

Testing & Results

Usability Testing Methodology

Conducted comprehensive usability testing using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire, combined with observation and user interviews to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback.

Key Findings

The embedded interface received higher usability scores compared to the mobile app. This unexpected result led us to concentrate our refinement efforts on improving the mobile UI experience.

Resource Allocation Strategy

Used SUS scores as a data-driven method to allocate development resources effectively, focusing improvement efforts where they would have the greatest impact on user experience.

Component Library Development

Created a comprehensive component library to maintain consistency throughout development, ensuring sleek aesthetics and correct color application across all platforms and screens.

Key Learnings

Establish Decision-Making Processes Early

This project underscored the importance of having backup decision-making strategies to save time and ensure efficiency. We used voting systems for decisions, with coin flips as tie-breakers for fairness.

Large Teams Require Structure

Managing a 6-person team taught me valuable lessons about coordination and decision-making in collaborative settings. Clear processes and adaptability are essential for team success.

Research Can Quantify Subjective Qualities

The systematic analysis of aesthetic qualities proved that "high-end" and "innovative" design can be objectively measured and replicated through data-driven research methodology.

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