myQ
Designed and proposed the need for an iOS watch extension to work with the myQ mobile app
Role
UI/UX Designer
Year
2021
myQ is the mobile app companion to aid in operating Chamberlain Group's Smart home garage door operators as well as a line of smart home devices including Smart Garage Controls, Smart Locks, Smart Cameras and the myQ Pet Portal.
Overview
myQ is the mobile companion app to accompany Chamberlain Group's Smart garage door operators as well as a line of smart home devices including Smart Garage Controls, Smart Locks, Smart Cameras and the myQ Pet Portal.
Research
I felt that in order to design a new interface for myQ, it was important to look at what they already have designed as well as who their target users are.
My Approach
I believe that a page-based navigation flow felt the most organic for the interface. This side-swipe is already established amongst myQ users in the home page of the mobile app.
The wearable interface should be an extension of the current app, not an app on its own. This should aid the user's experience by making a more seamless and convenient user experience with any myQ products produced by Chamberlain Group.
I wanted to keep the user's experience tightly focused on an essential task, and display only the most relevant and actionable information, to give people the content they need every time they look toward their wrist.
The main focus of this interface was designed to actuate and check the status of a users Smart Home products with an easy raise of their wrist. By extending this ability to the smart watch, myQ can grow its brand recognition as well as better the overall user experience.
Long Looks
Problem
The current myQ app is fully functional for both iOS and Android devices, but does not utilize the wearable companions i.e. Apple Watches.
Solution
Research and design a wearable interface to aid users in a more seamless transition to actuate their garage door opener. Furthermore, create an interface that not only establishes a seamless user experience, but also aligns with the expansion of myQ.
Targeting a single feature
Notifications
Short Looks
These appear briefly, giving people just enough time to see what the notification is about and which app sent it.
It's very important to keep privacy in mind. Short looks are intended to be discreet, so it's important to provide only basic information, while avoiding anything that may be sensitive to the user.
Long looks allow the user to have more detail about a notification. A long look appears when the user's wrist remains raised after receiving a short look or when people tap on the short look.
I found it important to remember that long looks need to be glanceable. All major information should be placed at the top, for the most efficient user experience. I developed a hierarchy of fonts, colors, and layout to make important information stand out.
Long looks provide up to four customizable actions for each notification. I found this feature to be a great asset to take advantage of when designing the myQ wearable interface. I learned that Apple Watch systems always display a Dismiss button below all the custom buttons, at the bottom of the interface. I also found it important to take note that when a watchOS app has the iPhone companion app that supports notifications, the device will share the actionable notifications already registered by your iPhone app and uses them to configure my custom action buttons.
Siri shortcuts are a great way to add another level of ease for the user. For example, they can use hands-free interactions or suggestions on the Siri watch face to perform their desired tasks without ever opening the myQ app. They can close their garage door without having to put down their groceries.
Keep Siri interactions simple. People expect every interaction on Apple Watch to be quick and direct. The Apple Watch interface needs to remain clean and simple to ensure that the user has the most efficient experience within the app.
I want to make sure the user can complete their action without leaving their current screen. On Apple Watches, the best Siri interactions enable actions that run quickly and don't require the user to open their iPhone.
Siri
OTHER PROJECTS TO CHECK OUT
