© Artwizz GmbH
Smart Home Appliances
ABOUT THE PROJECT
How might we create a smartphone accessory that enhances users' daily routines beyond sole smartphone protection and offers added utility?
Empower your little things at home at just a click. SmartPlug and SmartPlug Pro are two sleek app-controlled devices for seamless automation at home. This project exemplifies one of my most challenging but impactful collaborative design works.
The details of the project are confidential. I will only outline the fundamental design approach without revealing additional specifics.
MY ROLES
Design Direction
Team Leadership
User Research
Stakeholder Management
Product Management
DURATION & DATE
1,5 years, July 2017
TEAM
Carla Eckhard
Eike Maaß
Svenja Koßmann
Alina Fuchs
Mike Lee
Raymond Shen
DELIVERABLES
Two market-ready SmartPlugs
App for iOS & Android
Two butlers for your beloved home - Smart Plug and SmartPlug Pro offer an elegant solution to power and control various connected home appliances remotely from your smartphone or tablet. The ArtwizzSmart app, tailors effortless device power control, control USB ports, and flexible scheduling of usage, enabling users to conveniently manage their connected devices from any location. This product design not only enhanced the user experience but also set a new benchmark for Artwizz in the rapidly evolving smartphone accessory market.
The idea of smart home automation can seem abstract and complex to the average person. For most individuals, it is not viewed as a smartphone accessory, nor are they inclined to purchase additional devices for their home unless they are straightforward, intuitive, and don't require excessive effort. With this in mind, the core elements of the product design and app user experience were built around the principles of ease of use and simplicity, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.
As the lead designer, I built an in-house design team comprising design, content development, engineering and packaging professionals. Not only did I set a creation ground to bundle excellence, but we also helped to emphasize the significance of anticipating user needs and embracing emerging technologies. My objective was to innovate within Artwizz's business focus, establish a trading segment, and allow it to stay ahead of the competition.
SmartPlug Pro & SmartPlug © Artwizz GmbH
Rendered design variants of SmartPlug Pro © Artwizz GmbH
Which role does Smart-Home play in Germany to consumers?
In 2016, approximately 14% of Germans used at least one smart home application. This figure saw a significant jump to 23% in 2017. The study also revealed that convenience, energy efficiency, and security were the primary factors driving the adoption of smart home technology among Germans.
A study conducted in 2016 by Statista found that 39% of Germany is interested in the topic of networked living/Smart Home appliances.
Bitkom Research, 2017
Quantitative Data
"
Controlling technology with a smartphone has become a matter of course for many people.
Bitkom study "Die Zukunft der Consumer Technology", 2017
German users highly value energy efficiency (50%), comfort (47%), and compatibility with other devices (59%) when considering purchasing smart home products. However, they also have some reservations regarding the technology's reliability (49%), high costs (48%), and complex installation and configuration (43%). It's crucial to address these concerns while highlighting the numerous benefits of smart home products to win over potential customers.
Statista, 2016
Bitkom, Home Appliances Connected To The Internet, 2018
The cross-collaborative team included Industrial designers, a web developer, mechanical engineers and packaging designers with swarm expertise in hardware and software development. The team communicated regularly to ensure the product's design and functionality were aligned.
With all the research findings, my team started sketching and conceptualising SmartPlug's design, features, and functionality. Smart, and modern but with reliable classic features.
SmartPlug - The first product was a small smart plug that powers smartphones and small household appliances. A significant portion of our user base is not too tech-savvy. Given that fact, we aimed to make the transition smoother by introducing them to a simple but modern smart plug. Its form relates to "classic" power ports that so many users rely on. Keeping a physical button to switch the power on/off and a seamless blend with the home interior was essential.
Ideation rendering for SmartPlug © Artwizz GmbH
SmartPlug Pro - Further research was conducted with users and retail partners during the development of the SmartPlug. We soon decided to develop a second model to offer more options to different customer preferences and needs.
It's designed to meet the request for a solution that securely accommodates smartphones and tablets while charging.
Design review / Prototyping © Artwizz GmbH
The App
Initially, we planned to develop our app in-house with our web developer. However, since we were newcomers to the smart home industry, we decided to partner with Tuya, a no-code solution. Working within their established app framework, we collaborated closely with Tuya to make necessary modifications that addressed user needs. This allowed us to make quick progress while also gaining valuable experience in the realm of app-controlled products.
In addition to ensuring user-friendliness, the simplicity of the user configuration was paramount. By scrutinizing the funnel, we successfully pinpointed their most vexing pain points, enabling us to optimize the different configuration options while minimizing steps.
© Artwizz GmbH
After months of development, Artwizz successfully launched two SmartPlug models at IFA Berlin, the world's largest consumer electronics exhibition. The first model was compact and allowed basic functions to charge smartphones and small home appliances. The second model could charge up to two mobile devices and home appliances, and could also be used as a charging stand for a smartphone and tablet.
© Artwizz GmbH
Ready for ON or OFF
With just a click you can turn your connected appliance on or off. Additionally you can choose to set a countdown or a timer to make things even more convenient. Ready when you're ready.
Free choice
Having the many connectable devices in mind, choose from a wide selection the appliance you would like to control.
© Artwizz GmbH
Scenes count
Create quick and automated controls. Apply your own conditions - for example turning on lights when you are about to arrive home. Does it get too hot at summer-night, let your fan be turned on while you continue sleeping.
© Artwizz GmbH
© Artwizz GmbH
The power of 3!
Three devices can be connected at the same time. Charge two mobile devices at the two USB-ports. 3, 2, 1, none?
You can turn the three ports on or off and control each one individually. SmartPlug Pro covers your electrical needs.
SmartPlug & SmartPlug Pro ready for the world
© Artwizz GmbH
Products are no longer solely physical nor digital. Do you agree? Combining physical and digital elements we reached wider as a team. We were thrilled with both SmartPlugs' outstanding performance. Despite facing limitations due to technical constraints, our user-centric design approach allowed us to create an exciting and engaging project. We delivered a cracking market-ready product that stands out in a crowded mobile device accesory market and keeps Artwizz ahead of the competition.
Fusing design disciplines
…opened an innovative approach that not only helped the Artwizz to become more appealing to its sales partners, but it also allowed us to broaden our understanding of user needs, explore new technologies, and seize emerging opportunities in the smart technology space.
Unforseen encounters
Collaborating with development partners is a perpetual adventure of discovery and growth. While I'm no stranger to devising backup plans and contingencies, occasionally a curveball is thrown that demands us to evolve creatively beyond our wildest expectations. Such is the exciting and unpredictable nature of the design world.
Team-Power
Creating is not a one person-show. I believe it's about working together, failing, learning, laughing and achieving our goals as a team. The team's tremendous commitment and exceptional contributions made my role as leader a breeze.
High-five 
to the fantastic design-crew: Svenja, Eike, Mike, Raymond and Alina. You made every moment of this development a rewarding experience!