Samsung (2020) - Exploring interactions for a fitness mirror
The challenge
Samsung asked us to create an interactive prototype for a new product category that they are exploring. In this project we focused a lot of time on designing a new UX model for a fitness mirror.
My impact/role
Collaborating with the principal team lead, we brainstormed new experiences for the proposed device. After sorting through the ideas, we merged them into a coherent storyline that would guide the device's presentation. I also crafted an interaction framework tailored to the device's capabilities and functionality.
Team:
UX Designer (me)
Team Lead - Product Designer
Developer
Visual Designer
Time frame
14 weeks hardware and software development. My contribution was mostly during the first 5 weeks where we iterated on ideas, story line and UX model.
Insights
While creating the UX model, we encountered numerous edge cases that disrupted the proposed structure. The client wanted to blend two different directions, but in hindsight, we should have advised selecting only one. Dealing with the different edge cases took a lot of time and iterations to get right.
We all have a basic understanding of how a smartphone functions, which stimulates intuition for certain ideas. However, throughout the design of new interactions, it was crucial to have the product within reach, because the device type was still unfamiliar to us. Having it nearby allowed us to “kill” potentially "promising" ideas and update our frame of reference.
Technology constantly evolves, which means that ideas that used to be too expensive might now actually be feasible. This is a fallacy every designer has to keep in mind, continuously challenge your own assumptions in order to avoid missing out on new innovations.
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Sketch it
Multiple sketches were made to discover what the client was actually looking for, which elements resonated within their team and had the potential to turn in an actual product.
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UX model
New products enable new types of UX models. What makes sense and what doesn’t. Quick sketches helped me to discuss them together with the team lead and the client.
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When does it break?
Iterating on the previous UX model, integrate the features needed for the demo and see if it survives.
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Make it tangible
Due to the difficulties in finding a UX model, the developer had a tough time creating the first technology sketch. Should elements pop up, or float in. At a certain moment he made a great call to the project lead to make a decision on some of the basic principles otherwise he wouldn’t have enough time to finish.