Office Space Thermostat Re-Design

Redesigning Nest Thermostat of Office Spaces

The current Nest thermostat, while effective for individual households, does not adequately address the needs of larger communities, like offices. Additionally, its interface design lacks intuitiveness, particularly in its more in depth features. Our project aims to revolutionize the Nest thermostat by redesigning it to be more user-friendly and community-oriented. Together with my team, we have developed a concept that enhances usability and expands its applicability beyond single homes.

My Role as A Ul / Visual Designer

Although I often took on multiple roles, my primary responsibility as the UI/Visual Designer for this project was to lead the overall layout, design, and management of all visual and interactive elements in the redesign. I translated complex architectural concepts and features into intuitive, visually appealing interfaces. Additionally, I dedicated significant time to directing and guiding my team, ensuring consistency and cohesion across all screens and style guides.

The Process

The challenge consists in navigating the visions of three project managers, each advocating for a distinct approach to the re-launch. From eco-friendly & affordable to innovative & high-end, to a friendly & cheerful design tailored for office settings, our goal is to reconcile these divergent ideas into a cohesive redesign.

As we find ourselves being transferred between these diverse perspectives at different stages of the project, we developed multiple design concepts, and iteratively refine prototypes, ensuring that the final product meets the demands one of the project managers' standing.

First Stage: Research and Mood-boarding

In the project's early stages, I was assigned to consolidate the concept for the first manager's vision of affordability & environmental consciousness. Through thorough research, I identified key elements such as minimalist design and sustainable materials. 

After each member of the class compiled over 60 references for their assigned manager's vision, those working under the same manager merged their collected moodboards. This collaborative effort resulted in a pool of over 360 reference images specifically tailored to the eco-friendly and affordable concept. To effectively analyze and consolidate this visual inspiration, we developed an Excel appendix. Through this methodical approach, we identified patterns and trends, informing our collective understanding of how to imbue digital designs with an eco-friendly and affordable aesthetic.

Stage 2: Ideation and Brainstorming

In this phase, we engaged in peer competition. Each class member independently developed three proposal frames, for both the phone app and thermostat device, reflecting the vision of each manager from the moodboards developed by each team. I found particular excitement and enjoyment in designing for the innovative & high-tech and the affordable, & eco-friendly concepts. Embracing these diverse perspectives allowed me to explore different design ideas and express my creativity in meaningful ways.

Stage 3: Development of Friendly and Cheerful Nest Thermostat for Office Settings

When it came time for final team assignments, I expected placement in either the high-tech & innovation or the affordable & eco-friendly team, however, the professor challenged me by assigning me to the friendly & cheerful concept. This meant leading the design process of the final product for a concept I was completely uncomfortable with. Though initially frustrated, I embraced the challenge, committing to give it my all with determination and creativity.

Content List and Keyframes:

Low-Fidelity:

Screen Flows:

Stage 4: Final Delivery

Phone Screens:

Thermostat Device Screens:

Process Book:

Poster: