My Role
Lead UI Designer
I designed the thermostat interface, created an overall cohesive design system and style guide, and prototyped user interactions.
Overview
Plexus is designed with homeowners in mind. The Plexus system, complete with a smart thermostat and new state-of-the-art HVAC system, ensures peace of mind when it comes to temperature control and HVAC maintenance.
Research
Why HVAC?
Source: Service Business Evolution
Interviews
Insights from homeowners and technicians
We interviewed 8 homeowners to understand how they interact with their HVAC system, frustrations they have, and what they want in a system.
Furthermore, we spoke to 2 technicians/engineers to understand from a professional's perspective and identify possible opportunity areas.
“I feel unsafe performing some repairs and still want expert help.”
“An HVAC labeling system would be useful and help cut repair time down.”
“I want my system to self-diagnose problems.”
"Callbacks due to not having proper parts to fix an issue can cause financial loss."
Journey Map
The dysfunctional relationship between homeowners and their old HVAC…
From our interviews, we made a journey map of what the current experience of HVAC maintenance looks like.
HVAC system is not performing properly…
Tries to determine the issue but is confused.
Doesn’t know explicitly what the issue is.
Decides to call a tech…
Searches the web for techs, hoping it works out.
Doesn’t know who to call or price points.
Contacts a tech…
Calls and schedules an appointment, confused but happy there's progress.
Still doesn’t know who to call or price points.
Tech arrives…
Tech ends up not having the part, homeowner is annoyed and defeated.
Both homeowner and tech lose time and money.
Tech has to visit again
HVAC gets repaired and the new part is installed, happy to be done.
Homeowner had to wait longer and reschedule.
Problem Statement
Our Idea
Connectivity
Development
Shaping the overall experience
Designing the Plexus Thermostat
I designed two different prototypes for testing purposes, with different, shape language, layout, and interactions. Taking this approach, I explored the different ways a homeowner could interact with each version.
User Testing
Getting feedback from homeowners
Testing with 11 homeowners in three rounds revealed which prototype they preferred, how they organized items, and current usability issues that we could look to improve.
A/B Testing
71% of homeowners preferred Prototype A because of its shape language and sturdiness.
Usability Testing
We adjusted text and button sizes to ensure accessibility and readability from a distance.
Card Sorting
We reworked our sitemap based on our insights, minimizing touchpoints to improve navigation throughout the thermostat interface.
Before
After
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After
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After
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Final Design
Built directly into your HVAC system to monitor the system’s health.
Get alerts about your HVAC health, step-by-step fixes, and schedule a technician visit.
With simplistic labeling, it’s easy to identify parts for you and your technician.
Contact a technician without the hassle
If the issue is too challenging, the system connects you to a trusted technician, ensuring your home is comfortable with minimal effort.
Plexus Design System
Typography
Iconography
FF785A
305A88
85BBD8
Components
Reflection
Storytelling simplifies complex ideas
At first, we found it hard to engage our audience with our concept as HVAC systems can be complex. Through storytelling, we were able to break down our ideas into understandable scenarios, helping them to relate on a personal level.
It's more than a screen, it's the context
Designing a thermostat interface challenged me to think beyond traditional screens. I had to pay attention to text and button sizes and think about how someone would interact with the product, whether from a distance or up close.
Other Projects
