A new watch UX enhancing cross-device ecosystem
Responsible for
Led a team of 10 interaction designers and drove the overall design for One UI Watch on the Galaxy Watch while maintaining design consistency across key functions such as Notification, Quick Panel, Apps, Input, Tiles, and Recents.
Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment with product vision and goals.
Contributed to all aspects of the design process, including concept development, project management, user research, design strategy, design system development, visual design, documentation, and high-fidelity UX prototyping.
Project Duration
8 months (Jan 2021 - Aug 2021)
Tools used
CES® Innovation Awards, US, 2021
Innovation Honouree
TL;DR
Revolutionized the Galaxy Watch experience by combining the power of Wear OS™ Powered by Samsung and One UI Watch, enhancing the cross-device ecosystem.
I led a fantastic team of 10 talented designers in creating an intuitive and visually stunning interface, resulting in impressive shipments and market share growth. Our hard work was recognized with the prestigious CES Innovation Awards.
I guided the entire design process from concept to launch while collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional teams to achieve our product vision.
Together, we brought joy and functionality to users' wrists.
To comply with my non-disclosure agreement, I have omitted and obfuscated confidential information in this case study. All information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Samsung.
Impact
Challenge & Opportunity
Samsung's Galaxy Watch is beloved but faces challenges due to its outdated user experience and the disjointed mobile-watch ecosystem. The watch's Tizen OS and the mobile's Android OS hinder connectivity and intuitive usage.
However, the collaboration between Samsung and Google to develop Wear OS™ Powered by Samsung and One UI Watch presents an exciting opportunity to transform the smartwatch experience, making it user-friendly and appealing to a broader audience.
Our high-level goals were to:
Create a unified mobile-watch ecosystem, integrating Wear OS™ and Tizen for seamless connectivity and data sync.
Enhance the user experience by aligning the smartwatch interface with mobile, ensuring intuitive interactions and a visually captivating design.
Process
My role
Information Architecture
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The entire interaction structure has been changed so that both the back function by pressing the button used in the previous model and the back function by swiping to the right of Google wear OS can be applied.
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What's the most convenient way to view your most recently used applications? Determining the method of interaction through user testing
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Create an app list screen that can effectively show the number of apps that have increased thanks to the expanded ecosystem while being original to be a completely new representative screen for the entire Galaxy Watch.
Cross-device connectivity
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The existing characteristic circular design is optimized for the shape of the watch and the interaction with the bezel, but there is a difference from the interaction with the mobile phone. The design system of the mobile phone was reorganized for the watch so that the user can use it familiarly from the first use, but a new design system was created so that the functionality is not lost by showing as much content as possible even on a small screen.
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By extending the module associated with mobile, we made it possible to share each other's setting state. Recently used emojis are displayed on both the mobile and watch screens, and current situation settings such as the do not disturb state are shared, maximizing the convenience of syncing data and creating a system that can be expanded in the future.
Visual Identity
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The onboarding experience in the previous model had a simple structure of connecting the phone and watch and informing them how to use them. In order to promote the newly added features and provide a young and dynamic impression, I proposed various concept onboarding experiences and finally designed the most effective and beautiful onboarding experience possible within the technical limits of WearOS.