Creating an invisible innovation
AGENCY
Native Design
CLIENT
Zuma ai
PROJECT LENGTH
1 Year
MY ROLE
Senior Product Designer
BRIEF
To clarify and establish an end-to-end experience introducing Zuma Ai for a staged launch process.
MY DELIVERABLES
UX - Feature research, User journeys, wireframes, prototypes
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UI - Design Strategy, Design Feature research, Design System creation and management, Concept Design, Visual design, Packaging direction
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Art Direction - Brand video storyboarding, Packaging design,
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Testing - QA
THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF THE PROJECT
Complete creative freedom to introduce a 0-1 physical and digital product design and experience.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
Working with complex systems working in the background to connect the Zuma's to wifi and Alexa. Several considerations and workflows needed to align for it to work.
THE BIGGEST WIN
Seeing the light and sound show come to life when the Zuma's were connected.
MAIN BUSINESS METRICS MET
Launch new product
Increased conversion rate
Increase in sales in ad placement offering
While working for Native I was brought on board to work on a side project with their sister company Zuma Ai, by Morten Warren the CEO and founder of Native and Zuma.
The challenge
Take a concept design for Zuma and bring it to life. Although there was a physical prototype for the Zuma light and speaker, and a quick app design for a proof of concept. The app UI was disorienting, confused and hard to use.
Giving the branding meaning
I looked at the current branding, and with no brand book, exploration or cor meaning, as a designer, I needed that to fully understand the core of Zuma. I stripped it back and started with the current fonts, colours and styling. I then pushed the typography, the colour and tying it into the 'Fabric of the home' quite literally and naming the colours different homestyle fabrics. I began bringing together home interior style
Insights
I wanted to learn more about the types of users Zuma's would attract, from Business owners, to installers, to tech enthusiasts and consumers, so I began to write their user stories and journey maps first coming to know about the product to testing or owning it. This helped drive the different experience journey's we had to consider from the purchase journey, unboxing, installing and using Zuma frequently in different ways.
Design process
After establishing the design features, I then began working to outline the core flows and interactions. The design needed to be subtle, calming and responsive to allow quick launch to change up. I would constantly be testing, iterating and updating screens in the prototype to make sure the core interaction needs were met.
Testing
With the complex systems behind Zuma, the installation process with the app needed vigourous testing, which I would do, by initiating set-up mode, connecting the device with alexa and connecting the app. The processes which can take sometime, so I had to design informative screens to support the journey and keep them updated as they progressed through.
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Once the set up completed we installed a sound and light show to reward them and bring a moment of joy.
Results
After testing we could see the core needs and use cases were met and the MVP and Beta launches were a success to prove the systems in place worked and the installations were successfully done. Customer enjoyed the simple UI and used it regularly when they didn't want to use the Voice activated commands. Zuma has proved to be an integral part of the home and business for all. of our customers.
The product that keeps on giving
We were able to work on future features, bringing in wellness sound and light scapes to help people relax, meditate or support their workout. Working with the smart capabilities with Zuma, we are able to work with sensors, camera and other new tech to create features for the home and for business. I look forward to see the opportunities roll out with healthcare, childcare and wellness in mind.
Awards and press
I am proud to mention we have Won a Red dot award, a IF Design award and we won gold at the Design Technology awards for product of the year.
Please have a look at the feedback from press received about the product and its experience below.
