SmartHQ
Glow
SmartHQ
Glow
SmartHQ
Glow
A Refresh of GE Appliance’s Flagship App
A Refresh of GE Appliance’s Flagship App
A Refresh of GE Appliance’s Flagship App
Before We Start, Here’s the Executive Summary...
Before We Start, Here’s the Executive Summary...
Before We Start, Here’s the Executive Summary...
I was the Lead Intern for the Redesign of the SmartHQ App to align with market expectations & reviewer standards by integrating UI innovation, Design-Technical feasibility, & business strategy.
Pioneered two key design breakthroughs - Glowmorphism and Functional Controller Modality - balancing the breadth of the app’s ecosystem with the depth of individual appliance experiences.
Validated through usability testing, Human + AI Insights, and built a phased development approach to ensure scalability and production readiness.
I was the Lead Intern for the Redesign of the SmartHQ App to align with market expectations & reviewer standards by integrating UI innovation, Design-Technical feasibility, & business strategy.
Pioneered two key design breakthroughs - Glowmorphism and Functional Controller Modality - balancing the breadth of the app’s ecosystem with the depth of individual appliance experiences.
Validated through usability testing, Human + AI Insights, and built a phased development approach to ensure scalability and production readiness.
I was the Lead Intern for the Redesign of the SmartHQ App to align with market expectations & reviewer standards by integrating UI innovation, Design-Technical feasibility, & business strategy.
Pioneered two key design breakthroughs - Glowmorphism and Functional Controller Modality - balancing the breadth of the app’s ecosystem with the depth of individual appliance experiences.
Validated through usability testing, Human + AI Insights, and built a phased development approach to ensure scalability and production readiness.
Chapter 1
Some Background
Chapter 1
Some Background
Chapter 1
Some Background
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
We’re Here!
We’re Here!
We’re Here!
SmartThings
SmartThings
SmartThings
Govee Home
Govee Home
Govee Home
ThinQ
ThinQ
ThinQ
Google Home
Google Home
Google Home
But Clearly, our Competitors have Beaten us to It...
But Clearly, our Competitors have Beaten us to It...
But Clearly, our Competitors have Beaten us to It...
“Why is everything so bright and pink? The new design looks like a kid’s toy ad. Terrible redesign.” June 9, 2025
“Why is everything so bright and pink? The new design looks like a kid’s toy ad. Terrible redesign.” June 9, 2025
“Why is everything so bright and pink? The new design looks like a kid’s toy ad. Terrible redesign.” June 9, 2025
“The design is decent and clean. I just wish there was a way to reorder the appliances on the main screen — I have 6 devices and it gets confusing.” May 21, 2025
“The design is decent and clean. I just wish there was a way to reorder the appliances on the main screen — I have 6 devices and it gets confusing.” May 21, 2025
“The design is decent and clean. I just wish there was a way to reorder the appliances on the main screen — I have 6 devices and it gets confusing.” May 21, 2025
“The UI is a mess. Cluttered screens, tiny fonts, and random lifestyle content I don’t want. Looks more like an ad platform than a utility app.” June 2, 2025
“The UI is a mess. Cluttered screens, tiny fonts, and random lifestyle content I don’t want. Looks more like an ad platform than a utility app.” June 2, 2025
“The UI is a mess. Cluttered screens, tiny fonts, and random lifestyle content I don’t want. Looks more like an ad platform than a utility app.” June 2, 2025
This is even more true, given our reviews, just aren’t the best...
This is even more true, given our reviews, just aren’t the best...
This is even more true, given our reviews, just aren’t the best...
and GE Appliances, has been sticking with an outdated process in UX
and GE Appliances, has been sticking with an outdated process in UX
and GE Appliances, has been sticking with an outdated process in UX
Follow and abide to our ROUX Design System, built natively for Android and HMI interfaces, that is re-purposed and backwardly-branched out to host the SmartHQ App and its components
Follow and abide to our ROUX Design System, built natively for Android and HMI interfaces, that is re-purposed and backwardly-branched out to host the SmartHQ App and its components
Follow and abide to our ROUX Design System, built natively for Android and HMI interfaces, that is re-purposed and backwardly-branched out to host the SmartHQ App and its components
and
and
and
Steak Mode
Steak Mode
Steak Mode
1
1
1
Doneness
Doneness
Doneness
2
2
2
Rack & Cookware
Rack & Cookware
Rack & Cookware
3
3
3
Oven Probe
Oven Probe
Oven Probe
Cooking Tips
Cooking Tips
Cooking Tips
Bake
Bake
Bake
9:59
9:59
9:59
Preheating to 350º
Preheating to 350º
Preheating to 350º
CANCEL
CANCEL
CANCEL
Lower
Lower
Lower
Phased Development timelines run off of this concurrently, with limited outreach, where post-MVP process are rarely visited for improvements
Phased Development timelines run off of this concurrently, with limited outreach, where post-MVP process are rarely visited for improvements
Phased Development timelines run off of this concurrently, with limited outreach, where post-MVP process are rarely visited for improvements
Research & Development
Research & Development
Research & Development
Product Design
Product Design
Product Design
MVP + Production
MVP + Production
MVP + Production
PM + Tech Handoff
PM + Tech Handoff
PM + Tech Handoff
phase 1?
phase 1?
phase 1?
phase 2?
phase 2?
phase 2?
The UI is then stuck in 2015 and has no structure on what its purpose is, everything is a tack-on from the design system or an “undocumented component”
The UI is then stuck in 2015 and has no structure on what its purpose is, everything is a tack-on from the design system or an “undocumented component”
The UI is then stuck in 2015 and has no structure on what its purpose is, everything is a tack-on from the design system or an “undocumented component”
Chapter 2
Half the Problem, is Understanding it
Chapter 2
Half the Problem, is Understanding it
Chapter 2
Half the Problem, is Understanding it
Our Problem Statement:
Refresh SmartHQ from our Current Version
Our Problem Statement:
Refresh SmartHQ from our Current Version
Our Problem Statement:
Refresh SmartHQ from our Current Version
(Super Broad????)
(Super Broad????)
(Super Broad????)
we had ideas...attempts (of initial concepts)...
we had ideas...attempts (of initial concepts)...
we had ideas...attempts (of initial concepts)...
the bg is filled with the others...
the bg is filled with the others...
the bg is filled with the others...
Was a Good initial Start in revitalizing the connected ecosystem and push for more quick actions
Was a Good initial Start in revitalizing the connected ecosystem and push for more quick actions
Was a Good initial Start in revitalizing the connected ecosystem and push for more quick actions
Minimalism
Minimalism
Minimalism
Design System
Design System
Design System
Trend
Trend
Trend
Color Dynamics
Color Dynamics
Color Dynamics
From our weekly UI/UX meetings, our objective in designing through scale and qualities mattered the most, testing our perceived GE Design Parameters through
-Color Dynamics
-Trends
-Minimalism
-Design System Restrictions
From our weekly UI/UX meetings, our objective in designing through scale and qualities mattered the most, testing our perceived GE Design Parameters through
-Color Dynamics
-Trends
-Minimalism
-Design System Restrictions
From our weekly UI/UX meetings, our objective in designing through scale and qualities mattered the most, testing our perceived GE Design Parameters through
-Color Dynamics
-Trends
-Minimalism
-Design System Restrictions
Explored more concepts related to maximizing functionality and business needs/requirements
Explored more concepts related to maximizing functionality and business needs/requirements
Explored more concepts related to maximizing functionality and business needs/requirements
and spicy ones!!! (there was an explorative attempt 🥹)
and spicy ones!!! (there was an explorative attempt 🥹)
and spicy ones!!! (there was an explorative attempt 🥹)
What did we take from these Critique Sessions?
What did we take from these Critique Sessions?
What did we take from these Critique Sessions?
Bring in Card-Tile + UI Clarity, Interaction Accessibility
Harden our “Controller” Functionality-App Narrative
Fix the Micro-UX + Expanding its Platform Outreach
Bring in Card-Tile + UI Clarity, Interaction Accessibility
Harden our “Controller” Functionality-App Narrative
Fix the Micro-UX + Expanding its Platform Outreach
Bring in Card-Tile + UI Clarity, Interaction Accessibility
Harden our “Controller” Functionality-App Narrative
Fix the Micro-UX + Expanding its Platform Outreach
Chen’s Fav. Phrase
(Our Supervisor)
Chen’s Fav. Phrase
(Our Supervisor)
Chen’s Fav. Phrase
(Our Supervisor)
Chapter 3
To get there?
Chapter 3
To get there?
Chapter 3
To get there?
Pinpointing the Bottle-Neck ➡️ Color Accessibility
Pinpointing the Bottle-Neck ➡️ Color Accessibility
Pinpointing the Bottle-Neck ➡️ Color Accessibility
first
first
first
Text
Text
Text
BG: #121212
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #121212
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #121212
Text: #FFFFFF
18.73 : 1
18.73 : 1
18.73 : 1
FOR BACKGROUND
FOR BACKGROUND
FOR BACKGROUND
BG: #121212
Icon: #29DB8F
BG: #121212
Icon: #29DB8F
BG: #121212
Icon: #29DB8F
10.36 : 1
10.36 : 1
10.36 : 1
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
5.01 : 1
5.01 : 1
5.01 : 1
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
10.36 : 1
10.36 : 1
10.36 : 1
BG: #AC3262
Icon: #FDE6F8
BG: #AC3262
Icon: #FDE6F8
BG: #AC3262
Icon: #FDE6F8
5.27 : 1
5.27 : 1
5.27 : 1
Text
Text
Text
BG: #2D2929
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #2D2929
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #2D2929
Text: #FFFFFF
14.37 : 1
14.37 : 1
14.37 : 1
CARDS
CARDS
CARDS
Text
Text
Text
BG: #793264
Text: #D4CBD2
BG: #793264
Text: #D4CBD2
BG: #793264
Text: #D4CBD2
7.02 : 1
7.02 : 1
7.02 : 1
BUTTON
BUTTON
BUTTON
Text
Text
Text
BG: #BF2BBF
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #BF2BBF
Text: #FFFFFF
BG: #BF2BBF
Text: #FFFFFF
4.86 : 1
4.86 : 1
4.86 : 1
These Newly Set of Designs, All pass the WCAG AAA requirements!
These Newly Set of Designs, All pass the WCAG AAA requirements!
These Newly Set of Designs, All pass the WCAG AAA requirements!
This also ties into Apple’s App Store Nutrition Label, a key factor that could make or break our designs.
We just needed to get our foot in the door, so we did.
This also ties into Apple’s App Store Nutrition Label, a key factor that could make or break our designs.
We just needed to get our foot in the door, so we did.
This also ties into Apple’s App Store Nutrition Label, a key factor that could make or break our designs.
We just needed to get our foot in the door, so we did.
*Information gathered through reveals, not officially released
*Information gathered through reveals, not officially released
*Information gathered through reveals, not officially released
which included...
which included...
which included...
that we had...
that we had...
that we had...
or didn’t
or didn’t
or didn’t
VOICE OVER
VOICE OVER
VOICE OVER
Navigate and explore the app using gestures, braille, and speech output
Navigate and explore the app using gestures, braille, and speech output
Navigate and explore the app using gestures, braille, and speech output
VOICE CONTROL
VOICE CONTROL
VOICE CONTROL
Hands-free navigation and control using voice commands
Hands-free navigation and control using voice commands
Hands-free navigation and control using voice commands
LARGER TEXT
LARGER TEXT
LARGER TEXT
Support for Dynamic Type and scalable text for easier reading
Support for Dynamic Type and scalable text for easier reading
Support for Dynamic Type and scalable text for easier reading
SUFFICIENT CONTRAST
SUFFICIENT CONTRAST
SUFFICIENT CONTRAST
Increase or adjust the contrast between text, iconography, and background
Increase or adjust the contrast between text, iconography, and background
Increase or adjust the contrast between text, iconography, and background
DIFFERENTIATE WITHOUT COLOR ALONE
DIFFERENTIATE WITHOUT COLOR ALONE
DIFFERENTIATE WITHOUT COLOR ALONE
Use shapes or text, in addition to or instead of color to distinguish key information
Use shapes or text, in addition to or instead of color to distinguish key information
Use shapes or text, in addition to or instead of color to distinguish key information
REDUCED MOTION
REDUCED MOTION
REDUCED MOTION
Modify or reduce certain types of animation that may cause motion sickness or discomfort
Modify or reduce certain types of animation that may cause motion sickness or discomfort
Modify or reduce certain types of animation that may cause motion sickness or discomfort
CAPTION
CAPTION
CAPTION
Display the dialogue and relevant sounds of video or audio-only content with text, visually synchronized
Display the dialogue and relevant sounds of video or audio-only content with text, visually synchronized
Display the dialogue and relevant sounds of video or audio-only content with text, visually synchronized
AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS
AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS
AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS
Narrated descriptions of visual content for users who are blind or have low vision
Narrated descriptions of visual content for users who are blind or have low vision
Narrated descriptions of visual content for users who are blind or have low vision
DARK APPEARANCE
DARK APPEARANCE
DARK APPEARANCE
Dark mode support for reduced eye strain and improved readability in low-light environments
Dark mode support for reduced eye strain and improved readability in low-light environments
Dark mode support for reduced eye strain and improved readability in low-light environments
BRAILLE SUPPORT
BRAILLE SUPPORT
BRAILLE SUPPORT
Compatibility with braille displays and input devices
Compatibility with braille displays and input devices
Compatibility with braille displays and input devices
ALTERNATIVE INPUT METHODS
ALTERNATIVE INPUT METHODS
ALTERNATIVE INPUT METHODS
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
defining what we needed to consider
defining what we needed to consider
defining what we needed to consider
Accessibility Reader
Accessibility Reader
Accessibility Reader
New Apple system-wide application that allows users to read any text easier. Customization features for text style, focus content, spacing etc.
New Apple system-wide application that allows users to read any text easier. Customization features for text style, focus content, spacing etc.
New Apple system-wide application that allows users to read any text easier. Customization features for text style, focus content, spacing etc.
Switch Control
Switch Control
Switch Control
Support for alternative input device allowing people with limited motor ability to navigate UIs. Simple button switch and joystick inputs
Support for alternative input device allowing people with limited motor ability to navigate UIs. Simple button switch and joystick inputs
Support for alternative input device allowing people with limited motor ability to navigate UIs. Simple button switch and joystick inputs
Eye Tracking
Eye Tracking
Eye Tracking
iPhone and iPad will have eye tracking features allowing users to focus/navigate to different areas of the screen with this alternative input method
iPhone and iPad will have eye tracking features allowing users to focus/navigate to different areas of the screen with this alternative input method
iPhone and iPad will have eye tracking features allowing users to focus/navigate to different areas of the screen with this alternative input method
Brain-Computer Interface
Brain-Computer Interface
Brain-Computer Interface
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Head Tracking
Head Tracking
Head Tracking
Similar to eye tracking, head tracking will allow users to navigate their devices with head movements (iPhone and iPad)
Similar to eye tracking, head tracking will allow users to navigate their devices with head movements (iPhone and iPad)
Similar to eye tracking, head tracking will allow users to navigate their devices with head movements (iPhone and iPad)
thus, Card-Tile + UI Clarity : ✅ Solved
thus, Card-Tile + UI Clarity : ✅ Solved
thus, Card-Tile + UI Clarity : ✅ Solved
This then became our Initial Solution. Make it work.
I applied the design to the card tiles by aligning a clear, focused UI with the controller-to-app flow. Everything seemed good
but...that wasn’t the end of the story...
This then became our Initial Solution. Make it work.
I applied the design to the card tiles by aligning a clear, focused UI with the controller-to-app flow. Everything seemed good
but...that wasn’t the end of the story...
This then became our Initial Solution. Make it work.
I applied the design to the card tiles by aligning a clear, focused UI with the controller-to-app flow. Everything seemed good
but...that wasn’t the end of the story...
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
wait what? why?
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
wait what? why?
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
wait what? why?
Development Team, DID NOT LIKE IT at all, it was critical in…
Development Team, DID NOT LIKE IT at all, it was critical in…
Development Team, DID NOT LIKE IT at all, it was critical in…
Did NOT explore reusing tokens from GEA’s ROUX Design System as a possible pathway, scrapped all old work.
Did NOT explore reusing tokens from GEA’s ROUX Design System as a possible pathway, scrapped all old work.
Did NOT explore reusing tokens from GEA’s ROUX Design System as a possible pathway, scrapped all old work.
they even sent us an email for record-keeping!! Scary...
they even sent us an email for record-keeping!! Scary...
they even sent us an email for record-keeping!! Scary...
The look was infeasible with our current system architecture and would require a full rebuild.
The look was infeasible with our current system architecture and would require a full rebuild.
The look was infeasible with our current system architecture and would require a full rebuild.
but, hold on...what did they say...???
but, hold on...what did they say...???
but, hold on...what did they say...???
“
“
“
The next app-build is moving to Flutter, the issue would be addressed in a fresh build. This gave us room to revisit an old idea and rethink the UI-skin with more momentum.
The next app-build is moving to Flutter, the issue would be addressed in a fresh build. This gave us room to revisit an old idea and rethink the UI-skin with more momentum.
The next app-build is moving to Flutter, the issue would be addressed in a fresh build. This gave us room to revisit an old idea and rethink the UI-skin with more momentum.
”
”
”
Chapter 4.5
The Pivot
Chapter 4.5
The Pivot
Chapter 4.5
The Pivot
the Concept Grounds of Our New Direction
the Concept Grounds of Our New Direction
the Concept Grounds of Our New Direction
Maturing the Looks of our Colors
Maturing the Looks of our Colors
Maturing the Looks of our Colors
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Accent Colors
Accent Colors
Accent Colors
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Accent Colors
Accent Colors
Accent Colors
+ ROUX
+ ROUX
+ ROUX
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
SmartHQ
The new system connects back to the ROUX Design System, moving from flat/static to dynamic.
The new system connects back to the ROUX Design System, moving from flat/static to dynamic.
The new system connects back to the ROUX Design System, moving from flat/static to dynamic.
Shifting toward a more mature, distinguishable palette of primary and secondary accents.
Shifting toward a more mature, distinguishable palette of primary and secondary accents.
Shifting toward a more mature, distinguishable palette of primary and secondary accents.
this advancment was coined...
this advancment was coined...
this advancment was coined...
(noun)
(noun)
(noun)
Relative to glassmorphism, adapted to system constraints.
Relative to glassmorphism, adapted to system constraints.
Relative to glassmorphism, adapted to system constraints.
Structure: A simple 2-fill + outline structure with blend modes, avoiding heavy transparency.
Structure: A simple 2-fill + outline structure with blend modes, avoiding heavy transparency.
Structure: A simple 2-fill + outline structure with blend modes, avoiding heavy transparency.
Layering: Fits within Flutter’s 10-layer system by repurposing extra layers for gradients and blur.
Layering: Fits within Flutter’s 10-layer system by repurposing extra layers for gradients and blur.
Layering: Fits within Flutter’s 10-layer system by repurposing extra layers for gradients and blur.
Effect: A smooth, modern look that’s lightweight, hardware-friendly, & technically feasible.
Effect: A smooth, modern look that’s lightweight, hardware-friendly, & technically feasible.
Effect: A smooth, modern look that’s lightweight, hardware-friendly, & technically feasible.
Chapter
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ✅✅
Chapter
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ✅✅
Chapter
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ✅✅
Chapter 5
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 5
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 5
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
translating to cover All GE Appliances (Info Architecture)
translating to cover All GE Appliances (Info Architecture)
translating to cover All GE Appliances (Info Architecture)
Moving forward, we still needed to solve the functionality core issue, make it more holistic, and that’s what I did, conquer the feature-set…
Moving forward, we still needed to solve the functionality core issue, make it more holistic, and that’s what I did, conquer the feature-set…
Moving forward, we still needed to solve the functionality core issue, make it more holistic, and that’s what I did, conquer the feature-set…
More Relevant KPI Carousels
More Relevant KPI Carousels
More Relevant KPI Carousels
Faster Shortcuts
Faster Shortcuts
Faster Shortcuts
Automate Touch-Point
Automate Touch-Point
Automate Touch-Point
At-A-Glance Status
At-A-Glance Status
At-A-Glance Status
Dynamic Background
Dynamic Background
Dynamic Background
Device Touch-Point
Device Touch-Point
Device Touch-Point
Consolidated Information in Hamburger Menu
Consolidated Information in Hamburger Menu
Consolidated Information in Hamburger Menu
this brought in conversation of new-users and power-users
this brought in conversation of new-users and power-users
this brought in conversation of new-users and power-users
A more friendly and welcoming onboarding process that doesn’t drop you into the abyss
A more friendly and welcoming onboarding process that doesn’t drop you into the abyss
A more friendly and welcoming onboarding process that doesn’t drop you into the abyss
Power-User specific widgets, to encapsulate moments and instances at a quick glance
Power-User specific widgets, to encapsulate moments and instances at a quick glance
Power-User specific widgets, to encapsulate moments and instances at a quick glance
and from a simple Toaster to a Water Tank, every micro-interaction is thought out
and from a simple Toaster to a Water Tank, every micro-interaction is thought out
and from a simple Toaster to a Water Tank, every micro-interaction is thought out
Project Nexus, another GEA project I co-designed, takes this a step further in UX and Branding, Functional → Lifestyle, future proofing…
Project Nexus, another GEA project I co-designed, takes this a step further in UX and Branding, Functional → Lifestyle, future proofing…
Project Nexus, another GEA project I co-designed, takes this a step further in UX and Branding, Functional → Lifestyle, future proofing…
Chapter 6
Prod-Delivery
2 Birds 1 Stone
Chapter 6
Prod-Delivery
2 Birds 1 Stone
Chapter 6
Prod-Delivery
2 Birds 1 Stone
I Tested this Qualitatively and Quantitatively
I Tested this Qualitatively and Quantitatively
I Tested this Qualitatively and Quantitatively
takeaway?
takeaway?
takeaway?
Proof of Concept shows the Glowmorphism aesthetic works in Flutter for production.
Built out micro-UX across all GE products - now ready for next steps with nuanced user flows + interactions
Approved by the Product Head and Tested through Qualitative + Quantity AI-Driven Feedback
Proof of Concept shows the Glowmorphism aesthetic works in Flutter for production.
Built out micro-UX across all GE products - now ready for next steps with nuanced user flows + interactions
Approved by the Product Head and Tested through Qualitative + Quantity AI-Driven Feedback
Proof of Concept shows the Glowmorphism aesthetic works in Flutter for production.
Built out micro-UX across all GE products - now ready for next steps with nuanced user flows + interactions
Approved by the Product Head and Tested through Qualitative + Quantity AI-Driven Feedback
Qualitatively
Qualitatively
Qualitatively
Quantitatively
Quantitatively
Quantitatively
3 of 5
3 of 5
3 of 5
87%
87%
87%
4 of 5
4 of 5
4 of 5
Users preferred in-line (A) over (B)
Users preferred in-line (A) over (B)
Users preferred in-line (A) over (B)
User Successfully completed Device Editing
User Successfully completed Device Editing
User Successfully completed Device Editing
in-Agreement to those Qualitative Results
in-Agreement to those Qualitative Results
in-Agreement to those Qualitative Results
so we did....
so we did....
so we did....
built natively in-Flutter Code, every intern took up a part
built natively in-Flutter Code, every intern took up a part
built natively in-Flutter Code, every intern took up a part
IOS
IOS
IOS
IOS
IOS
IOS
android
android
android
(A) Home Editing
Inline
(A) Home Editing
Inline
(A) Home Editing
Inline
(B) Home Editing
Subpage
(B) Home Editing
Subpage
(B) Home Editing
Subpage
Device Editing
Device Editing
Device Editing
The final hurdle to reach production was our review with the product owner, Shawn; his only comment:
The final hurdle to reach production was our review with the product owner, Shawn; his only comment:
The final hurdle to reach production was our review with the product owner, Shawn; his only comment:
$75
$75
$75
$7,500
$7,500
$7,500
We hired an Expert Outside to conduct extensive screening to match the user personas and outliers that we wanted to prove for,
3 Days of Usability Testing
We hired an Expert Outside to conduct extensive screening to match the user personas and outliers that we wanted to prove for,
3 Days of Usability Testing
We hired an Expert Outside to conduct extensive screening to match the user personas and outliers that we wanted to prove for,
3 Days of Usability Testing
I Built an AI-Simulation Tool that leveraged Multi-Context Protocol of Figma’s API and Gemini’s AI Agent to mimic a real person,
30x Simulation in a Hour
I Built an AI-Simulation Tool that leveraged Multi-Context Protocol of Figma’s API and Gemini’s AI Agent to mimic a real person,
30x Simulation in a Hour
I Built an AI-Simulation Tool that leveraged Multi-Context Protocol of Figma’s API and Gemini’s AI Agent to mimic a real person,
30x Simulation in a Hour
I love it, but I want more customization
I love it, but I want more customization
I love it, but I want more customization
“
“
“
“
“
“
Appendix
Conclusion + Future Thoughts
Appendix
Conclusion + Future Thoughts
Appendix
Conclusion + Future Thoughts
SmartHQ Glow 🚢→ Q3 of 2028
SmartHQ Glow 🚢→ Q3 of 2028
SmartHQ Glow 🚢→ Q3 of 2028
SmartHQ now ships with clearer card-tile UI, stronger controller-to-app integration, and refined micro-UX that expands the platform’s reach
SmartHQ now ships with clearer card-tile UI, stronger controller-to-app integration, and refined micro-UX that expands the platform’s reach
SmartHQ now ships with clearer card-tile UI, stronger controller-to-app integration, and refined micro-UX that expands the platform’s reach
And If you’re curious about its future...
And If you’re curious about its future...
And If you’re curious about its future...
The next wave of stuff thought out and designed includes…
The next wave of stuff thought out and designed includes…
The next wave of stuff thought out and designed includes…
SmartHQ Glow's Brand Collaterals
SmartHQ Glow's Brand Collaterals
SmartHQ Glow's Brand Collaterals
Rounding Thoughts
Rounding Thoughts
Rounding Thoughts
Career growth mindset – Like the designers I look up to, I’m focusing not only on design execution but also on maturing communication, collaboration, and balance to grow as a well-rounded designer.
Career growth mindset – Like the designers I look up to, I’m focusing not only on design execution but also on maturing communication, collaboration, and balance to grow as a well-rounded designer.
Career growth mindset – Like the designers I look up to, I’m focusing not only on design execution but also on maturing communication, collaboration, and balance to grow as a well-rounded designer.
Voice + storytelling – Finding my design voice is just as important as the craft. Clear communication and narrative build trust, influence decisions, and shape impact.
Voice + storytelling – Finding my design voice is just as important as the craft. Clear communication and narrative build trust, influence decisions, and shape impact.
Voice + storytelling – Finding my design voice is just as important as the craft. Clear communication and narrative build trust, influence decisions, and shape impact.
Design + tech integration – Leveraging my CS skills, building the Flutter-native app for usability testing and proof-of-concept validation + AI tools streamlined early testing pipelines.
Design + tech integration – Leveraging my CS skills, building the Flutter-native app for usability testing and proof-of-concept validation + AI tools streamlined early testing pipelines.
Design + tech integration – Leveraging my CS skills, building the Flutter-native app for usability testing and proof-of-concept validation + AI tools streamlined early testing pipelines.
Creativity through constraints – I learned that limitations spark inventive solutions. Staying agile and prepared allows feasible ideas to stand out.
Creativity through constraints – I learned that limitations spark inventive solutions. Staying agile and prepared allows feasible ideas to stand out.
Creativity through constraints – I learned that limitations spark inventive solutions. Staying agile and prepared allows feasible ideas to stand out.
SmartHQ
Glow
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SmartHQ
Glow
A Refresh of GE Appliance’s Flagship App
Before We Start, Here’s the Executive Summary...
I was the Lead Intern for the Redesign of the SmartHQ App to align with market expectations & reviewer standards by integrating UI innovation, Design-Technical feasibility, & business strategy.
Pioneered two key design breakthroughs - Glowmorphism and Functional Controller Modality - balancing the breadth of the app’s ecosystem with the depth of individual appliance experiences.
Validated through usability testing, Human + AI Insights, and built a phased development approach to ensure scalability and production readiness.
Chapter 1
Some Background
SmartHQ
We’re Here!
SmartThings
Govee Home
ThinQ
Google Home
But Clearly, our Competitors have Beaten us to It...
“Why is everything so bright and pink? The new design looks like a kid’s toy ad. Terrible redesign.” June 9, 2025
“The design is decent and clean. I just wish there was a way to reorder the appliances on the main screen — I have 6 devices and it gets confusing.” May 21, 2025
“The UI is a mess. Cluttered screens, tiny fonts, and random lifestyle content I don’t want. Looks more like an ad platform than a utility app.” June 2, 2025
This is even more true, given our reviews, just aren’t the best...
and GE Appliances, has been sticking with an outdated process in UX
Follow and abide to our ROUX Design System, built natively for Android and HMI interfaces, that is re-purposed and backwardly-branched out to host the SmartHQ App and its components
and
Steak Mode
1
Doneness
2
Rack & Cookware
3
Oven Probe
Cooking Tips
Bake
9:59
Preheating to 350º
CANCEL
Lower
Phased Development timelines run off of this concurrently, with limited outreach, where post-MVP process are rarely visited for improvements
Research & Development
Product Design
MVP + Production
PM + Tech Handoff
phase 1?
phase 2?
The UI is then stuck in 2015 and has no structure on what its purpose is, everything is a tack-on from the design system or an “undocumented component”
Chapter 2
Half the Problem, is Understanding it
Our Problem Statement:
Refresh SmartHQ from our Current Version
(Super Broad????)
we had ideas...attempts (of initial concepts)...
the bg is filled with the others...
Was a Good initial Start in revitalizing the connected ecosystem and push for more quick actions
Minimalism
Design System
Trend
Color Dynamics
From our weekly UI/UX meetings, our objective in designing through scale and qualities mattered the most, testing our perceived GE Design Parameters through
-Color Dynamics
-Trends
-Minimalism
-Design System Restrictions
Explored more concepts related to maximizing functionality and business needs/requirements
and spicy ones!!! (there was an explorative attempt 🥹)
What did we take from these Critique Sessions?
Bring in Card-Tile + UI Clarity, Interaction Accessibility
Harden our “Controller” Functionality-App Narrative
Fix the Micro-UX + Expanding its Platform Outreach
Chen’s Fav. Phrase
(Our Supervisor)
Chapter 3
To get there?
Pinpointing the Bottle-Neck ➡️ Color Accessibility
first
Text
BG: #121212
Text: #FFFFFF
18.73 : 1
FOR BACKGROUND
BG: #121212
Icon: #29DB8F
10.36 : 1
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
5.01 : 1
BG: #121212
Icon: #EA4A5A
10.36 : 1
BG: #AC3262
Icon: #FDE6F8
5.27 : 1
Text
BG: #2D2929
Text: #FFFFFF
14.37 : 1
CARDS
Text
BG: #793264
Text: #D4CBD2
7.02 : 1
BUTTON
Text
BG: #BF2BBF
Text: #FFFFFF
4.86 : 1
These Newly Set of Designs, All pass the WCAG AAA requirements!
This also ties into Apple’s App Store Nutrition Label, a key factor that could make or break our designs.
We just needed to get our foot in the door, so we did.
*Information gathered through reveals, not officially released
which included...
that we had...
or didn’t
VOICE OVER
Navigate and explore the app using gestures, braille, and speech output
VOICE CONTROL
Hands-free navigation and control using voice commands
LARGER TEXT
Support for Dynamic Type and scalable text for easier reading
SUFFICIENT CONTRAST
Increase or adjust the contrast between text, iconography, and background
DIFFERENTIATE WITHOUT COLOR ALONE
Use shapes or text, in addition to or instead of color to distinguish key information
REDUCED MOTION
Modify or reduce certain types of animation that may cause motion sickness or discomfort
CAPTION
Display the dialogue and relevant sounds of video or audio-only content with text, visually synchronized
AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS
Narrated descriptions of visual content for users who are blind or have low vision
DARK APPEARANCE
Dark mode support for reduced eye strain and improved readability in low-light environments
BRAILLE SUPPORT
Compatibility with braille displays and input devices
ALTERNATIVE INPUT METHODS
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
defining what we needed to consider
Accessibility Reader
New Apple system-wide application that allows users to read any text easier. Customization features for text style, focus content, spacing etc.
Switch Control
Support for alternative input device allowing people with limited motor ability to navigate UIs. Simple button switch and joystick inputs
Eye Tracking
iPhone and iPad will have eye tracking features allowing users to focus/navigate to different areas of the screen with this alternative input method
Brain-Computer Interface
Support for external keyboards, switch controls, or brain-computer interfaces for users with motor disabilities
Head Tracking
Similar to eye tracking, head tracking will allow users to navigate their devices with head movements (iPhone and iPad)
thus, Card-Tile + UI Clarity : ✅ Solved
This then became our Initial Solution. Make it work.
I applied the design to the card tiles by aligning a clear, focused UI with the controller-to-app flow. Everything seemed good
but...that wasn’t the end of the story...
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
Chapter 4
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
wait what? why?
Development Team, DID NOT LIKE IT at all, it was critical in…
Did NOT explore reusing tokens from GEA’s ROUX Design System as a possible pathway, scrapped all old work.
they even sent us an email for record-keeping!! Scary...
The look was infeasible with our current system architecture and would require a full rebuild.
but, hold on...what did they say...???
“
The next app-build is moving to Flutter, the issue would be addressed in a fresh build. This gave us room to revisit an old idea and rethink the UI-skin with more momentum.
”
Chapter 4.5
The Pivot
the Concept Grounds of Our New Direction
Maturing the Looks of our Colors
Primary Colors
Accent Colors
SmartHQ
Primary Colors
Accent Colors
+ ROUX
SmartHQ
The new system connects back to the ROUX Design System, moving from flat/static to dynamic.
Shifting toward a more mature, distinguishable palette of primary and secondary accents.
this advancment was coined...
(noun)
Relative to glassmorphism, adapted to system constraints.
Structure: A simple 2-fill + outline structure with blend modes, avoiding heavy transparency.
Layering: Fits within Flutter’s 10-layer system by repurposing extra layers for gradients and blur.
Effect: A smooth, modern look that’s lightweight, hardware-friendly, & technically feasible.
Chapter
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ✅✅
Chapter 5
design-wise: ✅
dev-wise: ❌
translating to cover All GE Appliances (Info Architecture)
Moving forward, we still needed to solve the functionality core issue, make it more holistic, and that’s what I did, conquer the feature-set…
More Relevant KPI Carousels
Faster Shortcuts
Automate Touch-Point
At-A-Glance Status
Dynamic Background
Device Touch-Point
Consolidated Information in Hamburger Menu
this brought in conversation of new-users and power-users
A more friendly and welcoming onboarding process that doesn’t drop you into the abyss
Power-User specific widgets, to encapsulate moments and instances at a quick glance
and from a simple Toaster to a Water Tank, every micro-interaction is thought out
Project Nexus, another GEA project I co-designed, takes this a step further in UX and Branding, Functional → Lifestyle, future proofing…
Chapter 6
Prod-Delivery
2 Birds 1 Stone
I Tested this Qualitatively and Quantitatively
takeaway?
Proof of Concept shows the Glowmorphism aesthetic works in Flutter for production.
Built out micro-UX across all GE products - now ready for next steps with nuanced user flows + interactions
Approved by the Product Head and Tested through Qualitative + Quantity AI-Driven Feedback
Qualitatively
Quantitatively
3 of 5
87%
4 of 5
Users preferred in-line (A) over (B)
User Successfully completed Device Editing
in-Agreement to those Qualitative Results
so we did....
built natively in-Flutter Code, every intern took up a part
IOS
IOS
android
(A) Home Editing
Inline
(B) Home Editing
Subpage
Device Editing
The final hurdle to reach production was our review with the product owner, Shawn; his only comment:
$75
$7,500
We hired an Expert Outside to conduct extensive screening to match the user personas and outliers that we wanted to prove for,
3 Days of Usability Testing
I Built an AI-Simulation Tool that leveraged Multi-Context Protocol of Figma’s API and Gemini’s AI Agent to mimic a real person,
30x Simulation in a Hour
I love it, but I want more customization
“
“
Appendix
Conclusion + Future Thoughts
SmartHQ Glow 🚢→ Q3 of 2028
SmartHQ now ships with clearer card-tile UI, stronger controller-to-app integration, and refined micro-UX that expands the platform’s reach
And If you’re curious about its future...
The next wave of stuff thought out and designed includes…
SmartHQ Glow's Brand Collaterals
Rounding Thoughts
Career growth mindset – Like the designers I look up to, I’m focusing not only on design execution but also on maturing communication, collaboration, and balance to grow as a well-rounded designer.
Voice + storytelling – Finding my design voice is just as important as the craft. Clear communication and narrative build trust, influence decisions, and shape impact.
Design + tech integration – Leveraging my CS skills, building the Flutter-native app for usability testing and proof-of-concept validation + AI tools streamlined early testing pipelines.
Creativity through constraints – I learned that limitations spark inventive solutions. Staying agile and prepared allows feasible ideas to stand out.
SmartHQ
Glow