MICROSOFT CONNECTED CAR

INTERACTION DESIGN
Redefine the navigation model for the next generation of Ford Sync, enhancing the driving experience by reducing cognitive load, improving glanceability of the UI, and creating intuitive touch and voice affordances to accomplish navigation tasks while in motion.

Weekly sprint planning with Design scrum team

Wireframe exploration, panorama layouts — Wireframe exploration, panorama layouts

DESIGN PROCESS

An extension of Windows for the car, the Connected Car prototype was designed to present navigation, music, entertainment and car service tasks in a visually crisp and intuitive interface launched from a central Start screen. My focus was the navigation UX, where I created detailed touch and voice-enabled prototype flows for setting and modifying map routes, adding favorite destinations, locating businesses and points of interest, and exposing traffic and weather information during the drive.

IA AND WIREFRAMES
The agile methodology was rigorously applied to set design goals, prioritize tasks, and evaluate design progress at the end of each sprint. After mapping out IA based on user requirements gathered by the User Research team, rough sketches were translated to interaction wireframes, defining the UI structure for each navigation task flow.

A strong advocate for a holistic, systemic design approach, I was intentional in reaching out to other design leads to ensure universal design elements, such as grid, typography, GUI elements and Windows Modern principles were implemented consistently across the Navigation, Phone, Entertainment and Service hubs.

Write about the wireframe stage here, how I collaborate with PM to define features and IA flow, then translate into a preliminary set of design click-throughs to illustrate the design intent and head into prototyping.

STORYBOARDS & USER TESTING
Designs were regularly tested by users, both in simulators tracking eye movement and in actual vehicles running prototype software, followed by rapid design iteration to improve touch interaction and reduce "eye time on screen" to less than two seconds per task.

POLISHED RENDERLINES
A strong advocate for a holistic design approach, I was intentional in reaching across feature teams to ensure universal design elements, such as grid, typography, GUI elements and Windows Modern principles, were implemented consistently across the Navigation, Phone, Entertainment and Service hubs. Through proactive engagement with fellow designers and researchers, I applied my interaction and visual skills to simplify the navigation experience while driving, and deliver a clean Windows 8 interface for the car.