Market Analysis & Competitor Gaps
I analysed leading smart home apps to identify usability challenges and opportunities:
Issues Found in Existing Apps
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Limited Customisation: Users struggle to personalise automations.
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Confusing Setup Process: High learning curves in apps like SmartThings.
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Lack of Visual Feedback: Insufficient status updates on device actions.
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Accessibility Gaps: Contrast ratios, button sizes, and voice support vary greatly.
Opportunities for a Better Design
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Simplified Onboarding & Setup: A guided step-by-step pairing process.
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Streamlined Automations: A clear, intuitive automation builder.
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Personalised Dashboard: Users can pin favourite devices as widgets.
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Enhanced Accessibility: Strong contrast, larger touch targets, voice support.
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Improved Error Handling & Feedback: Immediate responses to user actions.
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Controls Google Nest & third-party smart devices
Clean UI, intuitive automation, strong third-party support
Lacks deep customization for advanced users
Simple device setup, guided onboarding, minimal steps
iOS-based ecosystem, highly secure
Secure, polished UI, deep iOS integration
Limited device support, restricted to Apple ecosystem
Seamless for Apple users, but harder for non-iOS users
Strong automation & voice control
Powerful routines, best-in-class voice assistant
Cluttered UI, setup can be confusing for new users
Initial setup requires multiple steps, not always clear
Broad third-party device compatibility
Supports many devices, flexible automation
Overwhelming UI, learning curve for beginners
Can be complex; offers guides but requires manual pairing
Optimized for lighting, smooth app experience
Poor cross-compatibility outside Philips brand
Quick pairing with Hue Bridge, easy light group setup
Focused on security & HVAC control
Strong security features, seamless Google integration
Limited outside Google Home ecosystem
Guided setup for thermostats & cameras, but some manual steps
Budget-friendly smart security & home automation
Expanding device line up, simple UI
Limited automation & ecosystem integration
Easy setup via QR code scanning, straightforward UI
Research & Strategy
To ensure the app meets a wide range of user needs, I developed three distinct user personas:
Tech-Savvy Smart Home Enthusiast
Pain Points
⚠️
Wants full control over automation but finds current apps restrictive.
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Uses multiple smart devices from different brands (Google Nest, Philips Hue, Ring Camera, etc.) and wants a unified experience.
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Frustrated by cluttered UIs and complex setup processes.
Goals & Needs
✅
Customisable automations (IFTTT-style)
✅
Ability to view and control all devices in one place
✅
Advanced controls but still quick access to basic functions
Busy Parent Managing a Household
Pain Points
⚠️
Struggles with device management while balancing work and family.
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Finds smart home apps too complex, leading to frustration when controlling devices.
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Wants an easy way to set routines (e.g. lights dim at bedtime, doors lock automatically).
Goals & Needs
✅
Simple onboarding → Easy device setup
✅
Pre-set automations (e.g. 'Good Night' mode)
✅
Voice integration (Google Assistant/Alexa)
✅
Family-friendly controls: Lock settings for kids
Older User with Accessibility Needs
Pain Points
⚠️
Has difficulty reading small text and tapping tiny buttons.
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Finds modern smart home apps overwhelming.
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Needs clear labels and strong contrast for visibility.
Goals & Needs
✅
Larger, high-contrast UI elements
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Voice control compatibility
✅
Simple navigation (no unnecessary clutter)
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Quick emergency actions (e.g. 'Lock all doors' button)
These personas inspired user flows reflecting their core interactions with the app.
User Journeys
1. Add new device
To simplify the setup process and get users connected quickly, I designed an intuitive 'Add Device' flow, accessible directly from the app dashboard:
1️⃣
Dashboard Access: Users can quickly interact their most-used devices, automations or rooms by pinning these as widgets on their respective Dashboards. Users begin the process by clicking the + button in the corner and selecting 'Add new device'.
2️⃣
QR Scan or Manual Search: Users can scan a device's QR code with the built-in camera or manually search by name or from a dropdown of compatible devices.
3️⃣
Device Detection and Customisation: The app confirms device connection and prompts users to name it and assign it to a room. Green checkmarks provide instant feedback for completed fields, while errors are raised if any fields are left blank.
4️⃣
Adjust Device Settings: Users can personalise settings such as brightness, colour, or preset modes (depending on device capabilities).
5️⃣
Completion and Confirmation: A final confirmation modal reassures the user that the device has been added successfully, providing quick access to device controls directly from the dashboard.
2. Add new automation
To streamline smart home management, I designed a step-by-step flow for creating automations. Users can customise triggers, actions, and conditions to build personalised routines.
1️⃣
Select Trigger: After users click the + button and select 'Add New Automation' from the dashboard, a modal prompts them to select a trigger, e.g. Time-based. Each trigger can be further customised with specific settings, e.g. between 1 AM and 2 AM.
2️⃣
Set Actions: Users then define actions for their devices, like adjusting brightness or changing colours. Multiple actions can be added to a single automation.
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Add Conditions: For more advanced automations, users can apply AND or OR logic to add conditional triggers. This enables flexible, multi-step routines.
4️⃣
Preview and Confirm: Users can test their automation using the 'Preview' button for immediate feedback. After confirming, a success screen provides reassurance that the automation is active.
3. Troubleshoot device
To help users quickly resolve device issues, I designed a troubleshooting flow with clear alerts and actionable options:
1️⃣
Identify Issues: Problematic devices are highlighted in yellow with an alert icon on the widget for immediate visibility.
2️⃣
Quick Access Troubleshooting: Clicking the highlighted widget opens a troubleshooting modal displaying a summary of the issue and suggested fixes.
3️⃣
Resolution Options: Users can choose to retry the connection with instant feedback, reset the device, or remove it. Each action provides clear success or failure notifications.
4️⃣
Confirmation and Feedback: For reset or removal actions, a confirmation modal ensures intentional actions, followed by a success message upon completion.
Key UX Considerations
User-Centric Design:
✏️ WCAG-compliant contrast ratios for improved readability.
✏️ Touch-friendly UI with 48x48px minimum for tap targets.
Immediate Feedback Mechanisms:
✅ Green checkmarks when form fields are successfully completed.
✅ Loading spinner when awaiting response for retrying a connection/resetting device
✅ Real-time success indicators after pairing a device.
Thoughtful Home Screen Design:
📌 Customisable dashboard with pinned widgets for quick access.
📌 Tabbed navigation for easy switching between devices, rooms, and automations.
📌 Clear status indicators for connected devices.
Next steps
While this case study focuses on three key user flows, the app is designed as an all-encompassing smart home solution that simplifies device setup, control, and automation. Future iterations could further enhance the app’s functionality, including:
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Introducing room management through automations, enabling users to easily organise devices by room and set room-specific scenes or schedules.
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Integrating voice control options to improve accessibility and ease of use
This project emphasised user research and UX best practices to create an intuitive app experience.
