Sleek Speaker

Team

Myself (Product Designer)
1 Industrial Designer (for form factor and prototyping)
1 Sound Engineer
1 Developer (for prototype integration)

My Role

I led UX research, concept ideation, and design, ensuring consistent experiences across the mobile app and physical product interface.

Goals

Aesthetically timeless speaker design
Touch-based, intuitive interface
Consistent experience across physical device and app
Create a frictionless onboarding process

Research

I interviewed 8 users who own a smart or Bluetooth speaker. Key findings: users often hide speakers due to awkward looks, setup is frustrating, and touch controls are preferred for better design.

Wireframes & Concept Sketches

During the initial phase of the project, I explored various design possibilities by creating quick sketches and low-fidelity wireframes. This process allowed me to rapidly iterate and refine different layout concepts, focusing on usability and structural clarity. These early visuals played a crucial role in shaping the product’s overall flow and helped identify potential challenges early on. Sharing these wireframes with the team ensured alignment across disciplines and laid a solid foundation for transitioning into detailed, high-fidelity prototypes later in the design process.

Interaction Flow

Users could pair, personalize, and control their speaker using either:

Onboarding Flow

New users are guided through a friendly, step-by-step setup process that personalizes their experience. Clear instructions, subtle animations, and progress indicators ensure a smooth start while reducing cognitive overload.

Navigation Flow

The interface features an intuitive bottom navigation with contextual actions. Core tasks are always within reach, minimizing taps and helping users accomplish goals faster with clear visual cues and predictable patterns.

Visual Design

The visual design phase was centered around developing a modern, minimalist aesthetic that seamlessly integrated with the physical form of the speaker. I carefully selected a neutral color palette, soft shadows, and clean, legible typography to convey a sense of elegance and clarity. Every visual element was crafted to enhance usability while maintaining a premium look and feel. The result was a user interface that not only felt intuitive and refined but also visually echoed the product’s sleek and sophisticated industrial design.

Outcome

The final design is a speaker that not only delivers premium sound but also enhances the environment it occupies. It received positive feedback for its seamless integration into modern spaces and its intuitive control interface, which contributes to an elevated listening experience.

Reflection

This project deepened my understanding of how to merge physical product design with digital interfaces. It reinforced my belief in creating products that prioritize both form and function, and taught me how to craft experiences that delight users in every interaction.