Instinct
Instinct is an Amazon Alexa enabled light switch. The Instinct app lets users setup their switch and learn how to customize their settings in the Alexa app.
My Role
I worked along side my UX team lead to design a companion app to the iDevices Connected app that would be used for a new product being brought into the smart home market. I played a very strong role in the research phase, the testing phase, and the design phase.
Instinct Companion App
A new app needed to be created to support the launch of an Amazon Alexa enabled light switch known as Instinct. Due to the software limitation it was decided that a companion app was the best approach. We did this to cut down on user confusion and to bring a seamless and positive experience to the user.
Challenges
The Instinct Companion app was to be used as a setup app only.
All customization is to be done in the Amazon Alexa app.
A limited app experience.
The Amazon Alexa app UI can update and change at any point and therefore we have to be prepared to update on our end to remain current.
Strategy
Encourage the users to utilize their voice to control their Instinct, as that is it’s intended use-case.
Use the Instinct Companion app to briefly teach the user how to control and customize their Instinct in the Alexa App.
Create an in-app tutorial that would be shown to the user after the setup process and could be accessed at anytime.
Outcome
I created a simplified version of the Amazon Alexa app that gives the user simple and clear instructions on where and how to find the options they are looking for.
The tutorial screens are clean and user-friendly while maintaining alignment with the Instinct brand.
Instinct Faceplate Branding
Research third party products to determine industry standard for logo/text size, location, and embedded vs embossed branding.
Create mockups of styling options using photoshop.
Create a recommendation document that include findings and recommended mockups to be presented to the stakeholders.
Instinct Speaker Test
Conduct a blind test that gives iDevices employees the opportunity to hear each
Instinct rocker panel in question and give their input.
During the test, individuals were asked to come into a room and face away from the switches being tested.
Identical songs were played and the speaker would switch back and forth between a perforated and non-perforated rocker panel.
After listening, the user, would then choose which switch they thought had better sound quality.
In addition, the user was also asked on a scale of 1 - 5 how significant the difference was and if this is a speaker they would use in their own home.
This data was recorded during each test.
The findings showed that the user’s preferred the non-perforated rocker panel which aligned with our current ID and no additional modifications were needed.
The findings were gathered and presented in a research doc that was shared around the company and given to the necessary stakeholders.