IFB | Rakesh - Portfolio

My IFB App – Smart Appliance Control Platform

Innovative Design for Seamless Experiences.

UI design

Ux design

Case study

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Duration -

12months (1year)

Role -

UI/UX Designer (collaborative project)

Tool -

Figma, Adobe XD, Photoshop, Miro

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope of work -

User research, User interviews, Online surveys, Competitive analyses & Heuristic evaluation, Customer journey map, User persona, Information archite-cture, Wireframing, Prototyping, Design system.

Team -

Rakesh Roshan, Sujun Ki Bae (Design Director), Kim Lee, Balakumar Appavoo(manager), Manish Yadav, Sayak Das, Sahana Murthy Gollapinni, Shivansh Verma

PROJECT BACKGROUND

IFB have developed a range of smart home devices such as washing Machine, Microwave, Dishwasher, etc., which are targeted at mid and high-end consumers.The company is interested in creating an interface that helps users to easily access and control these products from a mobile app.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Complicated interfaces that make selecting wash settings confusing and time-consuming.
A lack of clear guidance and intuitive features, leading to incorrect usage of washing programs, ultimately impacting garment care.
Difficulty navigating through mobile applications, especially during busy routines, making it hard to quickly find the desired options for washing clothes efficiently.

GOAL

As IFB Appliances prepares to launch its first mobile application, user feedback from competitor applications reveals significant pain points in the laundry experience. Users frequently encounter challenges such as

To create a seamless and intuitive mobile application for controlling IFB smart home appliances, enhancing user convenience by integrating features like remote monitoring, custom settings, and real-time notifications.

HOW MIGHT WE....

How might we enable users to directly and effortlessly connect their washing machines to the mobile application for seamless setup and control?

How might we allow users to operate their washing machines remotely from anywhere, ensuring a smooth experience via internet connectivity?

How might we simplify the laundry process with an intuitive user interface that makes operating the application easy and stress-free for all users?

SOLUTIONS

A comprehensive mobile app solution that:

- Offers remote/mobile control of multiple smart appliances using both WiFi and Direct Mode (without internet).

- Provides tailored wash cycles based on fabric type and user preferences, improving ease of use.

- Delivers real-time updates and notifications, keeping users informed of their appliances' status and helping them troubleshoot minor issues from anywhere.

Pairing

Multiple devices can be paired and controlled simultaneously via Direct mode or WiFi mode.

Direct Mode control appliance

without relying on an internet connection.

WiFi Mode in the IFB app empowers users to control and monitor their IFB appliances remotely from anywhere with internet.

Control Device

The app provides access to a variety of wash programs tailored for different fabric types and laundry needs. Users can choose from options like cotton, synthetic, wool, delicates, and more.

Users can adjust parameters such as water temperature, spin speed, soil level, and additional options to fine-tune the washing process based on their preferences and laundry requirements.

Delay feature allows users to set a delay in the start of the washing cycle, which is particularly useful for scheduling laundry at off-peak hours or when they are away from home.

IFB Xpert

IFB Xpertwash is a features the create a custom wash program for user.

The app will calculate the water temperature , spin speed, rinse and spin timings required to clean clothes in mot efficient way.

Push Notification

This design showcases the smart notification experience for the IFB mobile application. Once a laundry cycle is completed, the user receives a contextual push notification on the lock screen, clearly indicating that the clothes are ready to be taken out.

It also provides actionable controls such as Power Off and Close, enabling users to manage the appliance directly from the notification without opening the app. This improves task efficiency, reduces friction, and enhances the overall IoT-powered user experience for IFB customers.

DESIGN APPROCH

The project adhered to a 4D methodology, encompassing the 4 iterative stages of Discover, Define, Design, and Deliver.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

The extensive primary and secondary research conducted for the IFB project provided valuable insights into the product usage patterns and preferences of the target user group.

The project began with in-depth research to understand the users' needs and challenges through online surveys and initial interviews with current and potential IFB customers. This was followed by contextual inquiries and user interviews to gain deeper insights into their interaction with home appliances and digital interfaces. I also analyzed existing IFB platforms and other relevant applications to understand best practices and user expectations. The data was then synthesized into an affinity map, which informed the creation of user personas, journey maps, and guided the design direction for this project.

Desire for Convenience:

Users crave the convenience of

remotely managing laundry tasksthrough their smartphones, indicating a need for more flexible andefficient household

chores.

User- Centric Simplicity:

The strong emphasis on a user-friendly, intuitive interface highlights the importance of simplifying interactions and making them accessible

to users of all tech levels.

Timely Feedback Is Vital:

Users highly value real-time notifications and feedback, showing that staying informed about laundryprogress and issues greatly enhances their

experience.

Lifestyle Enhancement:

Users expect the app to

streamline laundry tasks and improve overall. efficiency, aligning with the goal of making daily life more manageable

and less stressful.

Desire Control:

Users value the ability to manage laundry remotely, seeking a user friendly interface with real-time

feedback.

KEY INSIGHTS

Complex User Interfaces

Remote Monitoring and Control

Lack of Personalisation

Overwhelming Information

Difficult Setup and Configuration

Limited Troubleshooting Resources

BENCHMARKING

Having conducted a comprehensive benchmarking of existing washing machine mobile applications, this analysis provides a clear overview. It maps competitor strengths in functionality and user experience, revealing key market positions. This insight is crucial for strategically guiding the IFB app's development and ensuring its competitive placement.

USER PERSONA

EMPATHY MAPPING

STAKEHOLDER MAPPING

USER JOURNEY MAPPING

DERIVED STATEMENT

After analysing and detailed study of the user’s needs and prioritising the service, features required to them, the information architecture was built, This is to structure the digital product.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

After analysing and detailed study of the user’s needs and prioritising the service, features required to them, the information architecture was built, This is to structure the digital product.

Low-fidelity design involves creating rough, simplified sketches wireframes that focus on the basic layout and structure of the app's interface. These initial designs prioritize functionality over visual aesthetics, allowing to quickly explore and iterate.

LOW FIDELITY

DESIGN

WORKING PROTOTYPE

ALL SCREENS

FEEDBACK RECEIVED

Data Entry Flexibility: Users appreciated having multiple data-entry options, allowing them to log washing preferences in a way that suits them best.
Content Discovery: The TRENDING and DISCOVER sections on the home feed offered easy access to curated laundry tips and fabric care guides.
Suggested Enhancement: Users suggested integrating shopping and inventory management to help track laundry supplies like detergent and fabric softener.

TAKEAWAYS

Heuristic Evaluation: Applied heuristic evaluation to enhance usability and drive real-world improvements.
Project Management: Gained experience in planning, executing, and managing timelines within a structured workflow