Quick Access
Users should be able to finish what they want quick and easy.
Clear Action
Users should feel confident about what are they doing.
Least Interruption
Users don't experience unwanted and shocking effects in their spatial experience.
Goal Setting
Business vs UX
The request of adding a timer feature was based on comments on the App Store and I had hesitation
Action
Worked with the business to align on the business goal and created the UX goal accordingly
Result
We are clear on creating a timer feature, but aligned on the need to validate the request and evaluate its impact on the Lutron app structure
Business Goal
Raise the rating and eliminate the user requests of Lutron App on the App Store.
UX Goal
Create a meaningful timer feature that can both improve users' everyday life and adapt to future Lutron app refresh.
Preliminary Research
Timer and Beyond
To design a meaningful timer, we need insights for the feature itself and how users use it to interact with the home lighting
Action
Conducted 6 1:1 interviews with UX researcher. Collaborated with data science team for app data
Result
Overarching insights that guided the design of the feature and how to situate it in Lutron app.
Research Synthesis
Insights for Timer
Timer is of
perceived value
. Users might not use it often, but believe it should be "easy and basic" to have.
Timer is primarily used
for functional lighting
. Users use timers in lighting like nightstands, doorway, basement, etc.
Flexibility
to adjust the timer is preferred. How long the task takes changes frequently hence they want flexibility to timer.
Research Synthesis
Insights for Home Lighting
Users mentally separate lighting devices into
ambient and functional ary purpose
based on their primary purpose
Users decide whether to control lighting digitally or physically after calculating
how much effort is required
(location/current activity)
Users set up lighting automation and
control single device
to not "mess up" with the schedules.
Strategy
Before Design
Brought the users to the team of PM and development and strategized the design for now and future.
Discussion 1
How important is the timer feature for Lutron App?
How prioritized the timer should be in the app
Contrary to its popularity (the most requested feature on the App Store), users don't need it as often but think it is basic. The team aligned that the timer doesn't need to be highly prioritized but needs to be be easily found when users need it.
Discussion 2
What is Lutron App’s place in users’ smart home lighting experience?
Users don't always control lighting with the app. Instead, users use the app to set up rules for home lighting.This triggered the discussion of "existential crisis" of the Lutron app.The team started to talk about a future app revamp. I also started to create a more fleshed out product strategy and include more business stakeholders in the discussion.
Decision
Actionable decisions?
The team has some alignments on the discussions. Doubled with the insights I gain from the preliminary research, I translated the alignments into the following actionable decisions.
Second Level
Locate the timer feature at the second level of the information architecture, so its not prioritized but still discoverable.
Set to Device
Have the timer tie to individual device instead of the scheduling system, so it will not complicate the future app refresh.
Design System
Make sure the element requirements are well documented as timer feature has granular time-setting elements that are new to the design system.
Design
Final Experience
Look at the timer feature
from user POV
Feature 1
Set Up the Timer for a Device
Users go to the edit of the device and tap on the timer list item. After turning on the timer, users can put in the time and will see a short description informing them what will happen with this feature setup.
Why the radio button?
There are two layers for the timer feature: set the timer up and then turn the tuner on. In current Lutron Design System toggle means "turning on/off." Hence I introduced a radio button for "setting it up".
Is one line of instruction enough?
After 6 rounds of user testing, most users can immediately understand a timer and no user read the text. For those who didnt understand, they mentioned a simple instruction is informative enough too.
Feature 2
Quick, Temporary On/Off
For devices that have timer set up, a toggle to quickly turn the timer on/off will be shown on the remote control pop-over of the device.
Why do users need a temporary on/off when they can just turn the timer off?
Users want to have flexibility in controlling their timer. That means they do not want to "mess up" with their setting. The temporary on/off allows users to control the timer without worries.
Why have the toggle on the remote control pop-over?
The pop-up remote works as a digital remote for the devices. It is also the first place users will get to when controlling their lighting. Having the toggle here can grant users intuitive and quick control over the timer.
Feature 3
Notify Me Toggle
The toggle allows users to choose if they want the app to notify them before turning off the light. In the notification, users can dismiss the notice or repeat the timer.
Why notification?
Users get confused when the lights turn off themselves as users might forget the timer is on. With the notification, users can be informed.
Why not making notification a default?
Notifications prevent the timer from confusing users' spatial experience. However, the last thing we want is another digital exhaustion. Having it optional allows users to keep their balance.
Why not allow users to put in how long before they want to be notified?
Allowing users to put in a specific time requires more mental capacity that might deter them from using this small delighter.
Evaluation
Design Rationales
I worked with the business and
came up with 3 rationales to
evaluate the success of the feature
Screen Flow Evaluation
Device Popover
(timer off)
Easy to discover
Intuitively know where is the timer feature
Device Setting
Description
Explain the effect of timer feature
Notify Me
Choose to be notified when timer is triggered
Timer Setting
Temporarily on/off
Turn the timer off without messing up with the setting
Timer Toggle
Timer icon shown on the toggle
Fade Away
Lights fade instead of suddenly turn off
Device Popover
(timer on)
Link to Physical Control
Trigger timer both through app and physical switch
Timer Badge
Understand why the light is turned off
All Device
(timer on)
Next
Future Work
What are some other impacts the
project posed to the product and the team?