Lynk & Co
Redesigning Infotainment System
Deliverables:
User research plan & reporting
UI UX design
Prototype
Role:
UX designer, Co-lead
Work with other 7 team members
Durations:
9 weeks
OVERVIEW
Background
Lynk & Co (Chinese-Swedish automobile brand) is based on new energy cars trending in China, it provides more hybrid car models and improves user experiences for driving. The project focuses on bringing efficient and optimized infotainment design for clients.
Lifestyle: Camping and playing frisbee are increasingly trendy in China, especially among the 25-45 age group.
Goal: Lynk & Co aims to innovate infotainment systems to meet the demands of the Chinese market's new lifestyle.
Needs: to bring more energy and innovation to the young camping community.
Scope
We optimized the ambient light feature of infotainment system in camping mode for the Lynk 09 mid-size SUV.
RESEARCH
Understand our users' pain points when camping
Approach: User Interview
We conducted user interviewing with 10 hybrid car drivers who frequently to camping with the goals to find out:
1. What needs and goals drive people to use ambient light?
2. What are people struggling with while using the hybrid car ambient light infotainment system?
3. How can we build a convenient and immersive experience for them?
4. How can we better give camping lovers entertainment experience during the camping?
Can I have a theme of ambient light that can offer me an immersive experience during camping?
No customized themes option
Users want to meet their entertainment needs with friends and family while staying by the car.
Difficult to immerse in
Several drivers noted that the ambient light's limited function affects their connection with the car while camping.
Lack of anticipation
Which affect users experience to interact with ambient light functionally.
Audit the current design solutions
We invited 4 stakeholders to audit the current solution and found that some places can be improved. Including:
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Lack of visibility: Unclear information when scrolling with info disappearing.
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Limited themes: Limited themes and models without enough customized settings.
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Deficient in aesthetics: The information architecture needs to be optimized to enhance the interaction experience.
What can help to solve the problems ?
Before exploring, we analyzed user reports to identify pain points and audit results, then developed 3 core design principles to address these issues.
Customized
Customizing themes and settings to meet different needs
Immersive
Adding immersive scenarios with multiple backgrounds and sounds.
Interactive
Enhanced information architecture to increase user engagement.
OPPORTUNITY
How might we modify and enhance the ambient lighting system so that users can have more immersive and interactive while camping ?
IDEATION
Explore different patterns to show new information architecture
Optimizing the IA is our primary focus. Using new AI, we aim to enhance user experience, as illustrated in the sketches below:
Exploration 1:
Mode
Background
Position
Color
Breathing
The layers with overlay can be more concise, however, this vision of AI looks complicated.
Exploration 2:
Mode
Background
Color
Position
Breathing
This linear IA still overwhelm drivers, especially when they are driving.
Exploration 3:
Mode
Background
Color
Position
Breathing
2-column design with left navigation and right details to improve UI and align with tablet and laptop use.
SOLUTION
How does the new design solve the problems?
Problem 1: Lack of personalized camping themes fails to match users' mood preferences.
Redesigned the interface with a two-column layout and clear navigation, added a feature for users to upload their pictures, and expanded color options for a personalized experience.
Problem 2: Lack of surface interactivity hampers user engagement, necessitating more interactive actions.
Enhanced the infotainment system with a slide panel for convenience and customizable lighting positions to improve the camping experience.
Problem 3: Lacking an immersive environment prevents users from meeting their entertainment demands.
We added functions for music, sounds, and pictures to enhance the camping experience, with dynamic backgrounds for a vibrant, immersive ambiance.
FINAL DESIGN
Before
After
Car Display Home Screen Redesign
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Prioritized mood navigation. Which can make users take action on screens by first glance.
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2-column display without scrolling mimics mobile and tablet use for quicker, more interactive engagement with the car screen.
Camping mood screen redesign
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Maximized the background. Users can enjoy the beautiful background with friends.
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Immersive environment. For the default mood of the car, it can have a matched sound to lead users to enjoy the environment.
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Make background dynamic. With the sound and max background, the animated background image increase the whole mood.
Custom function redesign
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Customized solution. Offers a new feature that allows users to personalize their camping experience by adding their own background pictures and choosing light colors for added fun.
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Flicker frequency (breathing) of light. Immersion is challenging without professional 3D effects, but users can control light flicker frequency for added fun during camping.
Light synchronize redesign
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Empower abundant choices. Choose from multiple lighting positions, enhancing comfort for a tailored experience.
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Maximize convenience and ambiance. A synchronization option aligns interior lighting with the rhythm, creating a harmonious atmosphere and enhancing passenger enjoyment.
PROTOTYPE
BUSINESS
CONCEPT
Business model design concept
Our business model offers versatile ad placements for clients to promote new features and cater to future business partner requests
Create advertising opportunities to generate business revenue.
TAKEAWAYS
Takeaways
1. Redesigning the infotainment system is a great opportunity to learn new things
My first foray into infotainment system design, after 8 years in app and website UX, was exhilarating. This shift to car surface design opened a new world, expanding our skills and knowledge in exciting ways.
2. Understanding context is essential
Redesigning products for the Chinese market from the USA was challenging. Understanding China's camping context, vehicles, and policies was crucial, so I spent 2-3 days researching and consulting friends about hybrid cars and usage conditions.