Overview
A unified design system for Google Assistant within the larger Android Auto ecosystem. Designed across multiple OEM configurations and prototyped as a fully interactive in-car experience.
Challenge
Google was looking to establish a new design framework for their Assistant, defining how it integrated across products.
The Assistant lived in this new "negative space" layer, which was separate from the main content and system notifications. When activated, the main content and notifications would adjust, either cropping or reflowing, to make room for the Assistant.
The Assistant lived in this new "negative space" layer, which was separate from the main content and system notifications. When activated, the main content and notifications would adjust, either cropping or reflowing, to make room for the Assistant.
Google established a new spatial framework for Assistant, defining how it integrates across products. This "negative space" layer is separate from the main content and system notifications.
I lead an effort to create a strategy for integrating the new spatial framework into our current automotive products, taking into account the constraints and requirements of the space.
I lead an effort to create a strategy for integrating the new spatial framework into our current automotive products, taking into account the constraints and requirements of the space.
Key Considerations and Principles
Considering Android Auto existing framework, safety guidelines, and key UX research findings, I worked with XFN partners to designate the side panel and bottom rail areas for touch invocation, response, and fulfillment needs.
I established our primary design principles: preserving map & active nav visibility, ensuring consistent and predictable patterns, utilizing existing systems & patterns, and maintaining the Assistant brand identity.
I established our primary design principles: preserving map & active nav visibility, ensuring consistent and predictable patterns, utilizing existing systems & patterns, and maintaining the Assistant brand identity.
Strategy and Design System
I proposed three approaches for invocation and fulfillment: Soft Invoke for minimal requests, Full Invoke with voice plate for simple UI needs, and Side Panel for moderate UI needs.
For the voice plate, we needed to accommodate various use cases and support a new flexible UI that could adapt to Android & OEM color theming. Here's a sampling of the work prepared
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Prototyping
Throughout the design process, I took the lead in developing interactive prototypes that helped the team validate or disprove our framework. It was essential to incorporate both voice and touch interactions into the prototype. Below is a sample of the work:
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