OVERVIEW

During a dynamic two-month, I led UX design of three functions for a digital air conditioner application. My primary responsibilities including created prototypes and wireframes that laid the foundation for these new features.

MY ROLE

UX Designer

Responsible for visualize the new functions and features from user feedbacks to the wireframes and interactive prototypes.

User Test Assistant

Responsible for assisted the User researcher conducted users test, and iterated the prototype according to user test result.

TOOLS

Axure/Protopie/Figma

TEAM

UX Designer, Product Manager, Developers, UX Researcher

DURATIONS

Jun - Aug 2022

OVERVIEW

During a dynamic two-month, I led UX design of three features for a digital air conditioner application. My primary responsibilities including created prototypes and wireframes that laid the foundation for these new features.

DESIGN PROJECTS @MIDEA

Sleep Assistant

Prototyped the onboarding process to gather user preferences, ensuring an optimal experience with the sleep assistant.

Image: Sleep Assistant main page

Smart Health Check

Streamlined the "Smart Health Check" by introducing a comprehensive one-step evaluation to identify potential issues with the air conditioner.

GIF: Smart Health Check version 2

Five Dimensional Integration

Design a comprehensive control system that seamlessly combines real-time user interaction and multi-dimensional connectivity. With one click, manage air purity, room humidity, wind speed, and temperature adjustments.

GIF: Five Dimensional Interaction mid-fi prototype

DESIGN PROJECTS @MIDEA

Image: Sleep Assistant main page

Sleep Assistant

Prototyped the onboarding process to gather user preferences, ensuring an optimal experience with the sleep assistant.

GIF: Smart Health Check version 2

Smart Health Check

Streamlined the "Smart Health Check" by introducing a comprehensive one-step evaluation to identify potential issues with the air conditioner.

GIF: Five Dimensional Interaction mid-fi prototype

Five Dimensional Integration

Design a comprehensive control system that seamlessly combines real-time user interaction and multi-dimensional connectivity. With one click, manage air purity, room humidity, wind speed, and temperature adjustments.

DESIGN PROJECTS @MIDEA

Image: Sleep Assistant main page

Sleep Assistant

Prototyped the onboarding process to gather user preferences, ensuring an optimal experience with the sleep assistant.

GIF: Smart Health Check version 2

Smart Health Check

Streamlined the "Smart Health Check" by introducing a comprehensive one-step evaluation to identify potential issues with the air conditioner.

Five Dimensional Integration

Design a comprehensive control system that seamlessly combines real-time user interaction and multi-dimensional connectivity. With one click, manage air purity, room humidity, wind speed, and temperature adjustments.

GIF: Five Dimensional Interaction mid-fi prototype

NOW, LET'S DIVE DEEPER ON ONE OF THE CASES

Sleep Assistant

Welcome to Sleep Assistant

In two weeks, the team and I revamp and enhance a major feature of the app – the Sleep Assistant. It's an element specifically curated to boost the users' sleep quality. Leading to an elevated uptake of this feature.

NOW, LET'S DIVE DEEPER ON ONE OF THE CASES
NOW, LET'S DIVE DEEPER ON ONE OF THE CASES

Sleep Assistant

Welcome to Sleep Assistant

Image: Sleep Assistant Banner

Welcome to Sleep Assistant

Image: Sleep Assistant Banner

In two weeks, the team and I revamp and enhance a major feature of the app – the Sleep Assistant. It's an element specifically curated to boost the users' sleep quality. Leading to an elevated uptake of this feature.

In two weeks, the team and I revamp and enhance a major feature of the app – the Sleep Assistant. It's an element specifically curated to boost the users' sleep quality. Leading to an elevated uptake of this feature.

PROBLEM

Over 15% of negative reviews were related to the Sleep Assistant function. This was affecting user satisfaction and engagement, highlighting the need for significant improvements.

Negative Feedbacks

The deficient user satisfaction rate resulted in reduced active user numbers, therefore, enhancing the usability of this function was of paramount importance.

  • MOMO - 3

    @Red Book

    I have been using this app for a year, and it has worked well. However, I will never use the Sleep Assistant again. When I set it to auto turn on, I assumed it would also auto turn off, but it didn’t! This function wasted my electricity!

  • MOMO - 2

    @Red Book

    The sleep assistant feature helped me save power. However, it woke me up every single night, because it auto raise the temperature :(

  • MOMO - 2

    @Red Book

    The sleep assistant feature helped me save power. However, it woke me up every single night, because it auto raise the temperature :(

  • Anonymous Heron

    @App Store

    I didn’t realized set the sleep assistant will automatic turn off the air-con!! I planned to enjoy my sleep during weekend, I woke up at 7:00 am, because I feel hot. Then I realized the sleep assistant automatically turn off my air-con.

  • Anonymous Crocodile

    @App Store

    My mom - a 65 years old lady, got cold because the sleep assistant. The air con drop the temperature in the morning suddenly, and become so cold.

  • Anonymous Panda

    @App Store

    If you have a child, remember don’t use the sleep assistant!! It auto adjusted the temperature during night, my 9-months baby got cold because of this feature!

  • MOMO - 1

    @Red Book

    One night, I use the sleep assistant, I woke up in the middle of the night, because it was too warm!!!! 



  • MOMO - 2

    @Red Book

    The sleep assistant feature helped me save power. However, it woke me up every single night, because it auto raise the temperature :(

  • MOMO - 3

    @Red Book

    I have been using this app for a year, and it has worked well. However, I will never use the Sleep Assistant again. When I set it to auto turn on, I assumed it would also auto turn off, but it didn’t! This function wasted my electricity!

  • Anonymous Panda

    @App Store

    If you have a child, remember don’t use the sleep assistant!! It auto adjusted the temperature during night, my 9-months baby got cold because of this feature!

  • Anonymous Crocodile

    @App Store

    My mom - a 65 years old lady, got cold because the sleep assistant. The air con drop the temperature in the morning suddenly, and become so cold.

  • Anonymous Heron

    @App Store

    I didn’t realized set the sleep assistant will automatic turn off the air-con!! I planned to enjoy my sleep during weekend, I woke up at 7:00 am, because I feel hot. Then I realized the sleep assistant automatically turn off my air-con.

What is Sleep Assistant & How it Works?

The Sleep Assistant function enhances sleep experience, aids users in conserving energy during air conditioning operation. When sleep mode is activated, the Sleep Assistant alters the room's temperature based on the curve illustrated, tailored to the varying stages sleep.

Image: "Sleep Assistant" Operation Pattern

HENCE, I ASKED
HENCE, I ASKED

How might we optimize the sleep assistant function to enhance usability and meet the diverse temperature needs of users?

How might we optimize the sleep assistant function to enhance usability and meet the diverse temperature needs of users?

MVP SOLUTION

Onboarding Preference Setting

Created diverse temperature adjust curve based on differing requirements of age, and physical condition.

Image: Onboarding input information page

Image: Sleep Assistant main page

Users' Sleep Profile

Enable users setting and manage the sleep pattern profile and temperature adjustment curve as needed

RESEARCH INSIGHTS

Investigating the sleep pattern and family members needs through users feedbacks, customers demographic studies

I thoroughly analyzed the collected user feedback to pinpoint the key reasons behind users' dissatisfaction with this feature. After reviewing over 50 pieces of feedback, understanding the customer demographics, and studying the customer sleep pattern, I identified three key insights.

Many users reported discomfort due to automated temperature changes, often waking up feeling too warm.

The feature’s standard sleep pattern did not accommodate diverse sleep needs across

different age groups and family compositions.

Different users have varying

temperature requirements and sleep routines, influenced by age and physical condition.

Users in different ages and body conditions have varied sleep patterns and comfort temperature ranges

I noted four different types of users, each with unique temperature needs and sleep routines. The main approach for this project is to tailor the automatic temperature adjustment curve based on these specific sleep preference.

Image: Target users' sleep pattern and recommend temperature

DESIGN PROCESS
Step 1

Mind-Mapping & Stakeholders Syncs

  • Utilized mind-mapping to explore potential solutions and presented these to key stakeholders.

  • The team decided to focus on the sleep profile customization approach, which was further developed into a user flow diagram.

Image: Target users' sleep pattern and recommend temperature

Step 2

Onboarding Prototype & User Flow

I created Low to Mid-Fidelity prototypes for onboarding survey & tutorial based on sync meeting outcomes.

Step 3

Mid-Fidelity User Test

  • Created a clickable prototype for testing.

  • Observed user interactions and collected feedback to iterate and refine the solution.

FEATURES BREAKDOWN

User Onboarding Preference Setup

During user onboarding, the onboarding survey asked users to input

  • Users Type: Children, Pregnant female, Senior Adult, Yonge/Middle Age Adult

  • Prefer Temperature Range

  • Sleep Pattern

Image: Chinese & Translated English user onboarding page wireframe

Custom Sleep Temperature Curve

  • System generates a recommended auto-adjust temperature curve base on user preferences.

  • Users can edit auto adjust curve and toggle on or off.

Image: Chinese & Translated English generated temperature adjust curve wireframe

Manage Sleep Pattern Profile

Users access the Sleep Assistant main page

  • Manage sleep range

  • Set repeat times

  • Adjust the temperature curve

Image: Chinese & Translated English generated temperature adjust curve wireframe

FEATURES BREAKDOWN

User Onboarding Preference Setup

During user onboarding, the onboarding survey asked users to input

  • Users Type: Children, Pregnant female, Senior Adult, Yonge/Middle Age Adult

  • Prefer Temperature Range

  • Sleep Pattern

Image: Chinese & Translated English user onboarding page wireframe

Custom Sleep Temperature Curve

  • System generates a recommended auto-adjust temperature curve base on user preferences.

  • Users can edit auto adjust curve and toggle on or off.

Image: Chinese & Translated English generated temperature adjust curve wireframe

Manage Sleep Pattern Profile

Users access the Sleep Assistant main page

  • Manage sleep range

  • Set repeat times

  • Adjust the temperature curve

Image: Chinese & Translated English generated temperature adjust curve wireframe

Image: Chinese & Translated English generated temperature adjust curve wireframe

IMPACT

Defining Project Success

The redesigned Sleep Assistant, launched in Mainland China in 2022, saw a significant increase in user adoption and a notable decrease in user frustration, according to market feedback.

20%

Increase in adoption rate of Sleep Assistant

2 Million

Active users of Sleep Assistant function

60%

Adopted users said Sleep Assistant helped them increase sleep quality

Smart Health Check

PROMPT

Create a user-centered design that highlights the critical role of regular maintenance in prolonging air conditioner lifespan and safeguarding users' health by preventing issues related to neglected air-conditioners.

SOLUTIONS

Introducing one-step evaluation to identify the potential issues

  • Notify users periodically to check the health of their air conditioner.

  • Automatically identify potential issues (e.g., dirty filters, low cooling performance).

  • Provide clear, step-by-step instructions to help users address the identified problems.

  • Offer a one-click option for users to request professional door-to-door repair services.

Image: Smart Health Check Version 1

Five-Dimensional Integration

PROMPT

Midea's new air conditioners will feature 'Five-Dimensional Integration,' enabling control of fan, humidity, purification, and fresh air with temperature adjustments. I had just two weeks to create wireframes, prototype, and refine the design for market readiness.

SOLUTIONS

Streamlining Feature Development with Interactive Prototype

  • Collaborated closely with the developers to quickly grasp the technical logic of the feature.

  • Delivered the clickable prototype to the user research team and supported the user testing of these new features.

  • Refined the prototype based on feedback from user testing.

Image: Five Dimensional Integration low-fi interactive prototype

TAKEAWAY

The experience in Midea made me hold an insistent faith on become a Ux Designer. It was the excited when I witnessed my design shipped to the market and impacted millions of users.

The First 7 Days

Before joining Midea, I knew little about the IoT industry. However, on day one, I proactively sought insights from colleagues across departments. Through these discussions, I bridged my knowledge gap within the first week.

Grew in Fast Pace

At Midea, the fast-paced environment thrust me into a project with a two-month market deadline, leaving just two weeks for prototyping, testing, and revisions. It was an intense, pressure-filled time, but looking back, I'm amazed at how much I learned and grew in those hectic two weeks.

Image: Midea Id and Air Conditioner Develop Team