CONTENTS
Overview
We redesigned the Google Nest Thermostat to align with a “Green & Affordable” ethos, addressing the needs of environmentally conscious and cost-sensitive users. The project emphasized creating an energy-efficient, user-friendly thermostat with seamless integration for renewable energy sources.
This initiative involved thorough research, ideation, and usability testing. The final design introduced features like dynamic temperature control, energy history tracking, and eco-mode scheduling. My role included guiding the design process, conducting user testing, and ensuring the solution met user expectations while promoting sustainability and affordability.
Design Lead — Interaction Design, User Research, Visual Design, Project Management
Team
- Ming X. | Chaehyeon (Iris) K. | Max C. | Prateet B. | Will P.
Timeline
10 Weeks
Key takeaways from the research and design phases showcase major usability and energy efficiency improvements.
Current thermostat interfaces fail to convey sustainability and affordability effectively, limiting user engagement with energy-efficient features.
Furthermore, many smart thermostats do not integrate well with renewable energy sources, limiting their potential to reduce carbon footprints.
A structured 10-week design process covering research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and final implementation.
How might we help users better understand and engage with energy-efficient features to promote sustainable and affordable living?
Using a structured tabulation method, we identified recurring patterns in color palettes, iconography, and emotional warmth that contribute to this perception.
By summarizing these insights, we established a cohesive visual guide to inform our UI design, ensuring alignment with sustainability and affordability principles.
Primary data that assisted in transforming an abstract idea into tangible concepts.
Using a highly saturated, monochromatic color palette centered around green, black, and white, we establish a bright yet grounded aesthetic. Product Sans serves as the primary typeface, reinforcing clarity and accessibility. Soft rounded edges and a predominantly flat design create a modern yet inviting interface, while subtle drop shadows add depth and dynamism.
Together, these elements form a cohesive and user-friendly experience that aligns with our “Green and Affordable” ethos.
Engaging Stakeholders in Co-Creation for Meaningful
Design Solutions
Evaluations were conducted to refine interactions, ensuring accessibility and ease of use across different user demographics.
- 1 task flow was evaluated for the 2 platforms;
- 3 evaluative methods must be adopted (questionnaire, interview, quantitative observation);
- 5 participants per each method adopted;
- The report presented data for a 95% confidence level (estimated population mean ranges).
Mobile App Quantitative Test Results
Device Quantitative Test Results
Qualitative Test Results
Continuous design improvements based on qualitative and quantitative feedback from user testing sessions.
A refined prototype with final UI and interaction details, ready for validation and potential implementation.
Every detail—from typography and color contrast to button placement—has been fine-tuned to reinforce the “Green and Affordable” ethos, making energy management both effortless and engaging.