A self-explanatory visual programming tool for the Internet of Things, accessible to all ages and demographics.
How would you go about creating an intuitive visual programming tool for a set of IoT modules like, servos, buttons, lights and sliders (Later rebranded SAM Labs App STEAM Kit). It was to be crafted to engage users of all ages, offering a seamless and immersive experience in controlling the hardware set.
At the outset of the design process, I was presented with an established brand that had not yet been implemented on a mobile platform. This was before multi-platform frameworks like React, so we prioritised developing an iOS app as a proof of concept.
Initially, low-fidelity prototypes (below) facilitated rapid iterations with the team and encourage feedback from young audiences. This and a previous version of the desktop app were both tested in a two-day session at the International School of Brussels (Photo below, illustrative,), in which I participated conducting qualitative research with students ranging from ages 8 to 17.
Photo: isb.be
Prototyping
In the first stage, I focused on designing and prototyping the main navigation elements, ensuring seamless transitions between the user profile, homepage, and the visual programming canvas.)
Interaction Design
With this insight, I progressed to crafting high-resolution prototypes, incorporating more intricate interactions for connecting the IoT modules and establishing behaviours and triggers between them.
These hi-res prototypes helped map a comprehensive user journey and refine the final product, ensuring that it was both visually appealing and functional.
This stage allowed me to refine the interactions and create a bottom drawer and inventory, that housed the programmable IoT modules, providing a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of design, scalable to tablet and desktop versions.