Developing customizable instrument cluster
Role
UX/UI Designer
Team
UX/UI Designers
Project Managers
Engineer Teams
Tools
Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, Jira
Dutation
7 months
Elektrobit is a leading automotive software company that develops solutions for embedded systems, connectivity, automated driving, and digital cockpits, with over 20 years of experience in the industry.
Business Goal
Elektrobit wanted to develop a new product, an customizable design for dashboard with Android automotive OS and instrument cluster with QT technology. Offering customizable design solution and fast development to their future customers. Having Continental truck as the first customer.
My Role
I oversaw the entire design process across researching to final design delivery and supporting developers. I conducted design workshops with the clients and present design proposal. Together with my team, I involved in android dashboard and widget design, companion app and cluster domains. Note: here I will only focus on the development of instrument cluster.
The Challenges
Design System
I created a unified design library and developed reusable design components that can be customized and used in different projects. Revamping design system and migrating from Photoshop to Figma. Crafting a shared design library for HMI cluster, dashboard and app to ensure cohesive design. Utilizing Android material theme builder to formulate customizable theme and enhance design flexibility.
Design for customizations
To achieved the goal, I and my team created a customizable component design system with design token and Android theme builder.
Regulation & Safety
I conducted user research and worked closely with client’s specialist to define the regulations. I then created wireframe and iterated using new findings. While delivering interactive rich-information interface, I made sure that the system prioritized most critical features like Tell-tale and blind sport warning over other functionalities.
Feature - Rich Cluster
I designed instrument cluster, which consist of navigation and customizable widgets with a focus on providing drivers with rich-information. Designing to support customization and multiple cluster layout. I created interactive prototypes for different scenarios to showcase how to control and customize cluster layout and widgets.
ADAS Visualization
I collaborated closely with QT developer and 3D artist from ideation through to execution. Assuring a high-quality design and intuitive experience, allowing drivers to easily operate and personalize their cluster view, ADAS, and additional functions.
Personal Challenge
Cluster regulations
There are many laws and regulations when it comes to designing instrument clusters. I had to research multiple unfamiliar tell-tales to determine how to display them correctly, which colors they should be, and in which situations they should appear.
Designing for multiple cluster screens
Designing an advanced instrument cluster featuring diverse layouts such as Speedometer, Navigation, Widgets, and ADAS functionalities requires meticulous attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of user needs and technical specifications.
Customizable design library
All design components, including fonts, colors, spacing, icons, and responsiveness, needed to be both reusable and customizable to effectively achieve the project goals, ensuring consistency and flexibility across various interfaces.
The Impact
Profitable product that helps EB acquires new customers
Successfully launched, this project's customizable, themeable library has significantly reduced development timelines for current customer projects
Reducing overall project timeline
By creating a tokenized design library based on Android Material design, Elektrobit can use it as a foundational design file. This allows for easy customization to meet clients' specific needs, minimizing time and costs.
Launched Project
Continental Cluster & CID, AAOS
Custom UI for Continental truck. Showcased at the Continental booth during AAI 2021, the project played a key role in developing a theming UI and customizable dashboard for Android Automotive OS - HMI.
