SL Portfolio - Simply Smart Home

THE PROBLEM

Smart home platforms like Apple Home and Google Home often leave out a critical group: elderly users, those with disabilities, and anyone overwhelmed by complex setups or unfamiliar jargon. With confusing onboarding, overloaded interfaces, and a lack of emotional resonance, these tools unintentionally alienate those who could benefit the most.

THE PROBLEM

Smart home platforms like Apple Home and Google Home often leave out a critical group: elderly users, those with disabilities, and anyone overwhelmed by complex setups or unfamiliar jargon. With confusing onboarding, overloaded interfaces, and a lack of emotional resonance, these tools unintentionally alienate those who could benefit the most.

THE SOLUTION

Simpli Smart Home is a customizable dashboard designed as a layer on top of existing smart home platforms. Built with inclusive design principles, the app simplifies onboarding, enhances accessibility, and brings emotional warmth to smart home control. It offers both beginner-friendly experiences and advanced customization for tech-savvy users.

THE SOLUTION

Simpli Smart Home is a customizable dashboard designed as a layer on top of existing smart home platforms. Built with inclusive design principles, the app simplifies onboarding, enhances accessibility, and brings emotional warmth to smart home control. It offers both beginner-friendly experiences and advanced customization for tech-savvy users.

Wireframes

Prototype 1: Onboarding Experience

Tailored welcome screens
Text size & contrast controls
Smart home integration setup

Prototype 1: Onboarding Experience

Tailored welcome screens
Text size & contrast controls
Smart home integration setup

Wireframes

Prototype 1: Onboarding Experience

Tailored welcome screens
Text size & contrast controls
Smart home integration setup

Prototype 2: Guided Tutorial

Skippable walkthrough
Conversational tone & visuals
Clear expectations for new users

Prototype 2: Guided Tutorial

Skippable walkthrough
Conversational tone & visuals
Clear expectations for new users

Prototype 2: Guided Tutorial

Skippable walkthrough
Conversational tone & visuals
Clear expectations for new users

Prototype 3: Dashboard Interactions

View energy, security, and temperature
Custom filtering by room or time
Visually intuitive data display

Prototype 3: Dashboard Interactions

View energy, security, and temperature
Custom filtering by room or time
Visually intuitive data display

Prototype 3: Dashboard Interactions

View energy, security, and temperature
Custom filtering by room or time
Visually intuitive data display

Prototype 4: Scene Builder

Create custom or auto-generated scenes
Combine lighting, music, temperature
Save & preview presets like “Relax” or “Movie Time”

Prototype 4: Scene Builder

Create custom or auto-generated scenes
Combine lighting, music, temperature
Save & preview presets like “Relax” or “Movie Time”

Prototype 4: Scene Builder

Create custom or auto-generated scenes
Combine lighting, music, temperature
Save & preview presets like “Relax” or “Movie Time”

User Testing Insights

Participants:
A wide range of users—from a 74 year old with no smart home experience to a 28 year old Home Assistant power user.

Feedback Highlights:

Font sizes increased for better visibility
Navigation icons now clearly labeled
Scene builder simplified and renamed for clarity
Advanced options added without overwhelming beginners

Participants:
A wide range of users—from a 74 year old with no smart home experience to a 28 year old Home Assistant power user.

Feedback Highlights:

Font sizes increased for better visibility
Navigation icons now clearly labeled
Scene builder simplified and renamed for clarity
Advanced options added without overwhelming beginners

User Testing Insights

Participants:
A wide range of users—from a 74 year old with no smart home experience to a 28 year old Home Assistant power user.

Feedback Highlights:

Font sizes increased for better visibility
Navigation icons now clearly labeled
Scene builder simplified and renamed for clarity
Advanced options added without overwhelming beginners

The Final Design

The refined prototype offers an end-to-end experience with user testing baked in, from personalized onboarding to accessible dashboards and mood-based automations. The visual system uses calming colors, friendly typography, and touch-friendly components to welcome every kind of user home.

The Final Design

The refined prototype offers an end-to-end experience with user testing baked in, from personalized onboarding to accessible dashboards and mood-based automations. The visual system uses calming colors, friendly typography, and touch-friendly components to welcome every kind of user home.