Behind The Scenes : Crafting seamless digital experience for physical products

Designing a digital experience that seamlessly twines with a physical product requires a deep understanding of both the digital and physical realms, where each interaction is thoughtfully crafted to enhance the overall user experience. In this blog, we invite you to join us on a captivating journey with the expertise and creativity of passionate individuals. In this end eavor, Saibal Datta and Himaprabal Goud, played vital roles in shaping the transformative digital experience. Saibal, an experienced designer leading the team, worked closely with the Havells team to seamlessly merge the digital and physical aspects of the product to create an easy and intuitive user experience. Himaprabal, a talented UI/UX designer, fearlessly embraced the challenge of pushing design boundaries within given limitations. Despite the constraints imposed by UI frameworks, his creative thinking breathed life into our digital experience, resulting in a fresh and innovative visual language.

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Throughout this blog, we'll dive deep into sharing the captivating journey of building a unique app. Saibal and Him will take you behind the scenes, sharing valuable anecdotes and reflections on the process they followed while building the app. So, get ready to join us on this exciting adventure where we explore the conversation of modern design and physical products.

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‍What was your gig as part of the design team for the Havells Meditate app?

Saibal: In this project, my primary role was of a lead designer, collaborating closely with the Havells design team. Since I had previously worked on the Havells Sync app, the Meditate app was essentially an extension of our earlier projects. As the lead designer, my main responsibilities revolved around strategizing the design concepts, understanding the requirements and vision for the Meditate app. It was an exciting project that allowed Himaprabal and me to explore freely and truly shine and bring our skills to the forefront!

Himaprabal: So, as the main designer for this gig, my primary task was to really get what the Havells team needed and take direction from Saibal. The biggie for us was introducing some fresh, new stuff while still sticking to the app's pre-existing framework. Plus, I also chipped in with some content writing and did some brainy work on the app's logic and feature triggers. It was an epic challenge, but we crushed it!

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What were the hurdles and must-haves for the Havells Meditate app project?

Saibal: So, here's the lowdown on the Havells Sync app. It had this strong UI vibe, but it also needed a modern twist. Enter Havells Studio, the latest addition to the scene bringing in a new, classy vibe, you know, like setting the trend for apps. The goal was to give it a premium look that says, "Hey, I'm the refined one now." It's like giving your app a stylish upgrade – pure class through and through!

Him: Absolutely right, Saibal. It was like starting from square one! Picture this: no brand language to guide us, just a logo, a color, and a request to stand out from the existing clutter of other brands and make sure to not confuse anyone or mess with what was already there. We had to fit in all the cool features without causing any chaos. And on the design front, we had to add a touch of fancy, a bit of fun, and sprinkle in some real-world product vibes.

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What unique design elements were incorporated into the Havells Meditate app?

Him: So, making changes to the Havells Meditate app was like a step-by-step dance. First, we had a big brainstorming party to figure out what sections and features we needed. We broke things down – pollution levels, controls, time, scheduling, and filter related information. The framework design phase then followed a focussed approach on laying out the app's foundation which included placing the product name prominently, incorporating helpful options, and highlighting main controls complemented by the introduction of a sliding navbar for smooth navigation. We also wanted to show some continuity, certain essential controls at the bottom—such as device status, brand name, and on/off buttons—so they remained untouched. Then we started off with UI experimentation and worked to create a clean, user-friendly interface with a simplified design that conveyed essential information without unnecessary clutter. We tried out about 20-25 designs, picked the best 5-6, and gave them a makeover until they sparkled. It was a journey well worth the effort, culminating in a revamped app that blended functionality with a premium aesthetic.

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Were there any notable technical challenges encountered during the design and development of the app?

Saibal: So, diving into the technicalities, we had a bit of a head-scratcher with getting the animations and transitions just right. It turned into a tag-team effort with the Tech Team, and We even made some JSON files to make sure those animations acted the way we wanted them to. Then, there was this other puzzle of syncing up the UI with the actual physical product where we had to tweak things so the app and the real deal played nice together, giving users a smooth ride.

Him: So, we had this challenge: making different icons for all our automation options. Drawing a bunch of unique ones would have taken forever. So here our bright idea was, you know, let's use some ready-made icons or emojis to save time. Smart move, right?

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How has the design positively impacted the user experience or achieved its intended goals?

Saibal: So, the users love how easy it is to navigate – it's got high ratings for being superuser-friendly. The app's smooth connection with the actual air purifier is also getting a big thumbs-up. People are loving the hassle-free digital journey to handle their Havells Meditate air purifier.

Him: And you know what, the app got a big shout-out from Rajiv Makhani, the gadget guru. He loves its cool features, solid build, and high-tech vibe. Despite being new, the app's design is already making Havells Meditate look like a total premium player. Big win!

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What was your initial reaction upon learning that the Havells Meditate app won the Red Dot Design Award and the if Design Award?

Him: So, the Havells Meditate app scored the Red Dot Design Award and the if Design Award. We were like, "Whoa, really?" We moved on to new stuff, not thinking our old work would make a splash. The if Design Award was a pat on the back, saying we did good. But the Red Dot award was a game-changer! A dream since college, and now, strolling into the studio with that recognition is awesome. A total dream come true.

Saibal: I totally relate with Him here. I’d like to mention something. So the journey to winning these awards wasn't a sprint. We started our initial brainstorming on the app in 2019, laying the groundwork, then expanding in 2020, and finally focusing on unique experiences in Phase 3. It took a lot of patience and hardwork. The IF Design Award was extra special – our first international one, adding a dash of recognition and prestige. When we got the news about the Red Dot award, the whole team was on cloud nine. It was a proud and emotional moment. We've been at this quality work game for years, and this was a sweet victory and a boost for the team, pushing us to aim even higher in the future.

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How has your experience been working with Havells?

Saibal: Working with Havells was great. The team pays attention to details and loves new ideas. It's like a design playground where we can experiment. This vibe leads to successful projects and tight teamwork. They're into efficiency and open to changes for a better user experience. It's been a mix of pushing boundaries and showing off the value of design in making awesome products.

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Any insight/reflection to share to the audience to keep in mind while working on such a brief/product?

Saibal: I think I would like to highlight here that when you're working on the digital stuff for areal-world product, first, understand how the physical thing works – its vibe, features, basically everything about it. That way, the digital part can gel well with the real deal and be easy for users. And, when you're brainstorming cool designs, keep in mind any rules or limits, like the UI frameworks. They might sound like a buzzkill, but trust me, they can actually spark some cool ideas. Constraints can be like the secret sauce for making something fresh and cool, right?

Him: I think I’ll say that be open-minded. No one-size-fits-all design right out of the gate. Test out different ideas, like trying on outfits. See what works, what needs a tweak. It's like cooking – taste, adjust, repeat until it's awesome. That back-and-forth helps filter what’s going to work the best.

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In wrapping up, the journey of project exploration and design unfolds like a fascinating adventure. With an open mindset, a willingness to iterate, and a touch of creative experimentation, the process becomes a dynamic dance of ideas and refinement. So, here's to the art of design, where the beauty lies not just in the destination but in the thrilling journey of discovery.

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Let us be inspired by this story to embrace the power of design and continue pushing the boundaries to create products that enhance and enrich our everyday lives. Cheers to creativity, flexibility, and the boundless possibilities that design brings to life!

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The Havells Meditate App was recognized by:

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Explore the product and the app at: https://www.havellsstudio.in/