OVERVIEW
GOAL
MetaDesign sponsored our conceptual automotive project. Our team followed a design brief to create five core infotainment page flows including home, navigation, music, phone, and apps with an additional entertainment flow and an instrument cluster.
CHALLENGE
Drivers are distracted by their device over twice the safe limit of 4.6 seconds. Contributing to 1.6 million crashes annually.
Digital devices continue to grab the drivers attention while they are navigating the road and now with the integration of digital screens as controls for climate, media, etc. it is only increasing the time we take our eyes off of the road.
OUTCOME
Our iterative process led to an entire prototyped flow for the infotainment system consisting of 48+ pages and 100+ wireframes along the way. A prototyped instrument cluster and a complex design system.
Our approach resulted in ORA as a minimalistic, intuitive, task critical conceptual direction for MetaDesign. Continuously following the rule of thirds to help the driver easily digest the information on the screen.
MARKET RESEARCH
Within 2 weeks we conducted individual research sprints to familiarize ourselves with the electric automotive industry.
It was important to understand what was currently on the market. I visited over 10 dealerships to take pictures, notes, and videos of the infotainment system & instrument cluster flows. Read journals and articles that reviewed specific automotive interfaces in detail. Watched videos about infotainment walk throughs on youtube and reached out to a Sr. UX Researcher at Ford Motor Co after watching one of her videos about the automotive industry.
Competitor Benchmarking
Lucid Air and Tesla Model Y Information Architecture.
I analyzed existing user flows from Lucid Air and Tesla, examining how far users must navigate to access key functions.
Information Architecture
USER RESEARCH
After reviewing various existing online resources—social media, blogs, reviews and ratings—a common pattern emerged.
People have mixed opinions about electric vehicle interfaces; however, a common frustration centers around the controversial shift from tactile physical buttons to fully digital touchscreens.
Literature Review
EVALUATING DRIVER NEEDS
I surveyed 30+ respondents & conducted 3 interviews.
Our team conducted individual interviews and surveys with a wide range of drivers—including those with traditional gas-powered cars, individuals who have never used an electric vehicle interface, and recent buyers of high-tech vehicles—to gain a broad understanding of driver perspectives.
Empathy Map
Data Clustering
Persona
Design Challenge
Evolving CONCEPTS
Well over 100+ macro and micro design iterations.
We liked the direction for the seat/climate control from Brynna option A, the modular effect from Olive option B, the bottom nav bar style from Juyeon option C, and button/visual style from my design option D.
wireframes
NARROWING DOWN SOLUTIONS
Infotainment Strategy
DESIGN SOLUTION
Developing a design system: Fundamentals, Components, Templates
Design System
FINAL VIDEO
References - Scenic car on road (Porsche), Interior of (Volvo)
Main Pilot Screen & Climate
Main Driver View
Quick Climate View
Full Climate View
Navigation
Navigation
Selected Pre-saved School Route
Start Navigation
Music & Apps
Music
Playlist
Apps
Phone
Recents
Keypad
Dialing
Safety Score Design Sprint
Inspired by the safety score feature in other electric vehicles, we explored how we could reimagine our approach
This feature is only accessible when the car is completely parked
Design Challenge
DESIGN SOLUTION
Safety Score
ORA Voice Assistance
Safety Score Weighted Average
Score Overview and Milestones
Instrument Cluster
Wayfinding
Digital Instrument Cluster
Turning Signal Warning: Car on Right Side
Turning Signal Warning: Clear
Reflections
Takeaway 1
Takeaway 2
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