i-Car

OVERVIEW:

The i-Car app is a user-friendly connected car platform designed to seamlessly integrate vehicle management into users’ daily lives.

THE PROBLEM:

Car owners often struggle with seamlessly connecting their vehicles to their digital lives. They face challenges in managing car functions remotely, understanding vehicle health, and receiving real-time updates, which impacts convenience and safety. The existing user interface may feel overwhelming or unintuitive, leading to underutilization of features.

THE SOLUTION:

i-Car is an innovative app designed to simplify vehicle management by offering an intuitive, clean interface and personalized features. The app prioritizes ease of use for remote access, real-time updates, and actionable insights into vehicle health. The app enhances the overall customer experience, promoting confidence, convenience, and safety in connected car technology.

MY ROLE:

As the lead designer for the Car Management app, I was responsible for crafting an intuitive and engaging user experience tailored to the unique needs of Car owners. My work involved creating user-centric designs that prioritized security, and efficient car management.



I initiated the project with a comprehensive kickoff meeting to align with the client's vision and goals. Using the "jobs to be done" framework, I identified core objectives and conducted in-depth market research to understand current trends and challenges in car management apps. This informed the development of a detailed information architecture and user stories to guide the design process.



Throughout the project, I collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and marketing specialists, to ensure alignment and feasibility. I developed low-fidelity wireframes to outline the app's basic structure and gathered feedback from stakeholders. This iterative process helped refine the designs, incorporating user feedback to enhance functionality and usability.



Once high-fidelity prototypes were complete, I conducted user testing sessions to validate the design. Feedback from car owners was crucial in refining the app to meet their specific needs. I ensured open communication with all teams during the handoff, providing detailed design documentation and assets to facilitate seamless development.

MY PROCESS:

PHASE 1 - RESEARCH

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM​

Collaborated with clients and potential users to identify pain points in the car management process for car owners.

​MARKET RESEARCH

Analyzed existing car management apps to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, focusing on functionality and user experience.

​​​USER ANALYSIS

Conducted surveys and interviews with car owners to understand their car management preferences, priorities, and concerns.

PHASE 2 - MAPPING OUT THE SOLUTION AND FLOWS​

JOBS TO BE DONE FRAMEWORK

Defined key user tasks, such as finding the car, lock/unlock car, and navigation, to guide design decisions.

​USER STORIES

Developed detailed user stories for the app, capturing specific needs and potential challenges faced by users.

​INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

Designed a clear information architecture to organize app content and features, ensuring easy access and intuitive navigation.

PHASE 3 – DESIGN

LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAME

I created wireframes to establish the app’s basic layout and functionality, focusing on key elements such as car status, car remote, and navigation features. These mockups were shared with internal teams for feedback, enabling iterative refinement and ensuring alignment with the overall product vision. By using tools like pen & paper and figma, I iterated on design concepts and incorporated insights from team discussions into the final wireframes.

COLLABORATION WITH TEAMS

​Working closely with engineers, I addressed technical constraints and ensured the app’s features met user needs and market expectations. This collaboration involved weekly stand-ups and cross-functional workshops to discuss design feasibility and prioritize feature development. By maintaining open communication channels, we streamlined the integration of design and technical requirements, enhancing the app's performance and reliability.

​HIGH FIDELITY DESIGNS

​I developed interactive prototypes using tools like Figma to showcase the app’s simple visual appeal and user flow to stakeholders. These prototypes included detailed interactions and animations that demonstrated how users would navigate through the app, providing a realistic preview of the final product. The high-fidelity designs served as a critical tool for stakeholder presentations and user testing, allowing us to validate design decisions and make informed adjustments before development.

PHASE 4 - FEEDBACK AND HANDOFF

USER TESTING AND DESIGN REFINEMENT

​I conducted user testing sessions with car owners to gather actionable feedback, which was crucial for refining the app’s design and features. This involved organizing remote and in-person testing, compiling feedback, and prioritizing design changes that aligned with user expectations and business goals.

INCORPORATION OF FEEDBACK

​Feedback was seamlessly integrated into design revisions. I facilitated design sprints to address user pain points, iterating on key features such as real time car status and roadside assistance to enhance usability and the app's value proposition. This iterative process ensured that our design remained user-centric and responsive to user needs.

DOCUMENTATION AND HANDOFF​

I compiled comprehensive design documentation, including high-fidelity prototypes and detailed user flows, to ensure a smooth development process. This documentation served as a critical resource for developers, providing clarity and reducing the turnaround time for new features.

SUMMARY OF MY ROLE AND PROCESS

As the Product Designer, I led the design process by translating complex user needs into an intuitive and secure car management platform. My role involved conducting in-depth user research and collaborating with cross-functional teams, including developers and marketing, to align the app's functionality with user expectations. I utilized tools like Figma for design and Miro for collaborative workshops, encouraging shared knowledge and visibility among the team.

OUTCOMES

POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE PRODUCT

  • User testing confirmed the app effectively addressed the unique needs of car owners, resulting in high satisfaction scores and positive feedback on design and features.

  • Testers appreciated the app's focus on simplicity and usability, which helped them feel confident using the app. ​

MY LEARNING

Through this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by car owners to better manage their cars and how design can address these challenges. I enhanced my skills in creating functional, secure, and user-friendly connected car platforms.