Connect
Technology and smart home devices are there to make our lives easier, but sometimes the tools do the opposite. Connect is a customer-facing child application to Overlook. It allows users to conduct small commands, set parental controls on their smart home devices, and allows them to request support to combat the hassles that occur with the devices, whether the homeowner is present.
Type
Case Study
Timeframe
2 weeks
Toolkit
Sketch, Miro
Year
2023
Problem
Connect is an application that customers can use to conduct simple commands, like resetting their router so they don't have to call their installer and wait for service. This saves time and money. Currently it is under-utilized due to lack of funding, unclear onboarding, confusing in-app interactions, and a lack of personalization.
Solution
Our goal was to provide a strong visual language and help Nomado to stand out and get the appealing look & feel which resonates with a target audience and gives a feeling of joy and safety during product usage. Also, we needed to introduce the product to potential users.
Discovery
Existing App Design and Function
I explored the onboarding flow and found several usability gaps: invitations arrived as plain text emails without clear calls to download the app, password standards were missing, navigation patterns were inconsistent, and icons lacked consistency. I reviewed NIST password standards and studied user management practices from platforms like Google Workspace and Slack, noting patterns such as streamlined invitations, role-based permissions, and reset password flows.
Design Challenges & Constraints
What problems am I solving?
How does the user get invited to the Connect app? How is that invitation delivered?
How does the user create their account? What does the initial login feel like?
How can I make the Connect app a more personalized experience?
Product Needs:
The ability to invite and remove users.
Permissions for enabling or disabling administrative users, camera access, command access, and parental controls.
Use Google Material UI component library for design work.
Constraints:
Limited timeframe and resources
No time for testing
No previous design files
Research
Using the Interface
I jumped right into the onboarding experience to explore the product in order to get a better understanding of the branding style, application interactions, and it's current capabilities.
Key Findings:
Users receive an email invitation that is sent in plain text email format that directs them to an external webpage in order to reset a password. There is no indication or call to action enabling the user to download the app.
Users are not provided password guidelines for security purposes during initial login or during account creation.
Areas where interaction might not be intuitive:
Bottom navigation has an action icon that pulls out a side navigation that gives two options that are already available.
Side menu pulls out on the opposite side of where the interaction takes place.
Some missing back arrow dead ends.
Other Notes:
App uses primarily card styling in their commands and wireless parental control tabs.
Users are not provided with the ability to save log-in information for easier access once signed up. No “remember me” option when logging in.
Icon usage across the application is inconsistent.
Understanding the User Types
I defined three user roles:
Account Holders control all permissions, manage users, and request support.
Administrators share most permissions but cannot edit Account Holders.
Standard Users have limited access to commands and cannot manage settings.
Ideation Sketching
Design & Iteration
I created invitation flows and email templates that gave users context, clear steps to download the app, and a 6-digit code for account activation.
First login screens reflected password standards and clarified the use of passwords or codes.
For navigation, I added a dedicated User Management tab, removed redundant menus, and grouped account settings under one location. Consistency was improved with outlined icons, adjusted padding, and accessible typography.
Final High-Fidelity Screens
Design Decisions
Designs followed existing app styling with content cards and section titles. Account screens included app shortcuts and options for resetting passwords or logging out. Profile screens showed user information and permissions, with account owners and admins able to edit or remove users. Invitations were streamlined with a modal for entering details and sending invites.
Handoff & Reflection
I presented the designs to the PM and developers, addressing interaction details and preparing files for production. This project strengthened my collaboration with cross-functional teams and gave me deeper exposure to the development process. I’m proud to have shaped a product that had previously lacked design attention and to have made it more usable and scalable for future growth.
