Role

 UX designer

Duration

  1 Month

Team

 2 UX Designer

 2 UI Designer

 1 Project Lead 

Tools

  Figma

Task

  User Analysis  (Lean UX)

  Conceptualization

  Wireframing (low-fi)

  Prototyping (hi-fi)

Size

  28 features - Priority off-road modes

Streamlining Design with Lean UX

Our client assigned us tasks and presented us with features already implemented in previous pickup truck models, such as Baja, Active Exhaust, Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist (TTA), and Digital Cluster with P4 Graphics. The client prioritised integrating features like the Off-Road App, Suspension, Performance View, Vehicle Capability and Auto Air Tires Up/Down.


Lacking any user research data from the client, we opted to employ the Lean UX methodology. This approach led us to develop personas, user journeys, and "How Might We" (HMW) questions based on our own hypotheses and assumptions. Our challenge was to streamline the design process—this meant rapidly creating solutions, measuring their effectiveness, validating them, and refining our approach based on the feedback received.


Our goal was to minimize the number of steps required to reach a viable solution, allowing for quick adjustments that responded directly to user interactions and insights. This iterative process was essential in developing features aligned closely with user expectations.


User analysis


Basic Driver

  Tends to be brand-loyal


  Prefers robust, reliable vehicles that can handle various terrains


  Prefer to understand things quickly and don't read so many instructions


Jake

He is 55 years old, male, owns a local hardware store, lives outside the city in a rural house, and is a basic driver who changes between different on-road and off-road driving modes. But he doesn't know all of them—he lacks knowledge of the modes


He drives daily on paved roads for errands and work and on rugged terrain for recreation and property maintenance

Jake enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking and fishing


Find the most efficient driving mode for each terrain by using different drive modes often

User journey Basic



  Jake finds that switching between driving modes can sometimes be confusing or not as intuitive as he'd like, especially when the transition needs to happen quickly


  The vehicle's current user interface for mode selection is not as user-friendly as he needs; it requires multiple steps that can be distracting


 

User journey Advanced



  He wishes for a brand that offers him a tech-forward experience, especially in terms of user interface and mode engagement.


  He desires more customisation in the driving modes to fine-tune performance settings to his exact liking.


   He wants to find Access to a community of vehicle enthusiasts offered by the same brand.


How might we provide a layout that meets requirements of both types of users?


Conceptualization


Advanced Driver

 Ethan loves to showcase his driving skills and the capabilities of his vehicles to his peers


  To be seen as a leader and early adopter within his social circles, especially in automotive technology

Ethan

Age: 40 years old, male, independent contractor


Live in Suburban area with easy access to both city amenities and rural off-road trails, tech entusiasta. He rally knows how to use all off roads modes: : sand, snow, all terrain, rock crawl, sand, rally, etc. 


Ethan owns a modern home with a well-equipped garage for his vehicles and tech gadgets.

He is an advanced driver who not only uses all the different driving modes but also understands the mechanics behind them.


His main goal is customize driving modes for optimal performance


Characteristics:


  Our system adapts to the driver. 
  Our system offers personalisation for “my mode” and adjusts driving parameters like suspension, dampers, and throttle.


Primary Elements


  Carousel menu 
  3D Model
  Control elements right and left

Secondary Elements


  Overlay on 3D model
  Technical information


How does the user interact with the product?


  One touch screen
  Steering wheel control (most recommended for off-road)
  Voice-activated commands


Extras:

  Learning option that gives you driving tips about the terrain; the tips can be by voice (voice only for on-road) or displayed in the head uni

  “Off-Road Friends” offers a community of pick-up off-road enthusiasts and uses gamification techniques, such as rewarding the user with points after an off-road trip.




Wireframes


Example of wireframe music while navigation
Drive modes:


  Normal

  Baja

  Sport

  Snow

  Rock

  Tow


Basic and Advanced in the same screen


The iterative process guided us to an infotainment system divided into three user-friendly menus. This design was tailored to enhance usability and engagement across different user expertise levels.


The top portion of the interface features a horizontal menu named the "Drive Mode App." This menu caters to less experienced users, offering a platform for easy swapping and customising various off-road and on-road modes. It's designed to simplify the integration and adjustment of the vehicle's capabilities, making it more accessible.


Below this, a vertical menu displays the vehicle's performance metrics. This section highlights vital diagnostics and engine functions, providing advanced users with essential information.


The third component is a submenu focused on detailed diagnostics. Here, experienced users can delve deeper into specific areas like suspension details, pitch and roll data, and a summary of all relevant vehicle information.

Suspension animation is not a trend, is a need!


Given the client's emphasis and user studies indicating the importance of the suspension and pitch and roll features, this menu was crafted to prioritize and detail these aspects, ensuring that they are both highlighted and easily accessible.


Prototype hi-fi


Conclusions


This structured approach, the project's time constraints and also the alignment closely with user needs confirm the efficacy of Lean UX in rapidly developing practical, user-centred solutions.


By focusing on iterative design and constant feedback, we could adapt to changes and refine our interface quickly. This process ensured that the final product was functional, efficient, and highly tailored to enhance the user experience. This alignment with user expectations and requirements significantly increased the usability and satisfaction with the new infotainment system, demonstrating the power of Lean UX to deliver valuable outcomes in a condensed timeframe.


It's important to acknowledge that despite the advantages of using Lean UX, thorough testing with actual users remains crucial. My role in this project was limited to conceptual development and preparing the groundwork for the client's further execution, which did not include user testing. I would have been eager to see how the project evolved with subsequent tests. Testing a product repeatedly and refining based on real user feedback is essential for ensuring the final solution. This step is vital for confirming that the product truly resonates with its intended audience and performs well in real-world scenarios.