Google Assistant Home
Google Assistant is a household name for smart home appliances and creating personal experiences with relatable materials and finishes. We collaborated together to create the ideal smart-home experience with Google Home products and Partner products for Harvey Norman - An electronics retailer in Australia.
Purpose
Create a clean and seamless experience
Google is renowned for its clean, bright and seamless design. We thoroughly researched and maintained the same look by creating an interface that’s minimal and relatable to the brand. The 3D home uses similar materials the brand uses in marketing material which brings a unified and warm atmosphere.
Integrate the ‘Ok Google’ Experience
It was essential to demonstrate the power of Google Assistant’s key features. We integrated the Assistant via microphone permissions and sequenced relatable tasks for viewers to interact. After the user asks for an automated request, the assistant responds while the home comes to life. This demonstrates the fluidity of each product’s capabilities and the endless potential of Google Home as a lifestyle brand.
A realistic, smart home retail experience
Creating a seamless retail experience was essential, we wanted users to have opportunities to learn more and purchase products that they want without leaving the experience. We accomplished this by adding information overlays, bundle deals and purchase buttons. Products are added to the retailer’s cart system for future checkouts.
User Journey
We focused on creating a relatable and easy-to-follow user flow. Dividing the experience through navigation, product details, Google Assistant activations and Retail Checkout, we are creating a user flow that targets our goal to create a believable home experience with retail integrations.
Wireframing
Developing the UX flow allowed us to develop initial wireframes, we based the 3D home space off of Google Home’s dollhouse assets and through this space, we build general concepts based on the User Flow.
The product needed to be at the forefront of the design until the user selects retail experience, therefore, I worked on developing a design which allowed for camera rotation, product selection, clear navigation routes and access to Google Assistant’s voice commands.
Visual Design Concepts
After reviewing with the client and engineering team, I worked on developing conceptual visual designs for review. I researched and utilized Google’s Design systems and followed Google Assistant’s specific brand identity. I developed three concepts for discussion:
Concept 1: This is very true to Google’s design system but, it creates tension with the white navigation and footer. This design doesn’t work for the experience because it was too distracting and takes away from the virtual home.
Concept 2: Allows clarity with the seamless navigation and footer, it connects enough to google’s design system but visibility and accessibility to features are a concern.
Concept 3: A mixture of concepts 1 and 2, the upper third of the experience allows for fewer distractions and the footer provides better accessibility to features and written content.
Ultimately, each design had strengths and weaknesses, but we moved forward with concept 2 and refined the visibility issues and strengthened the brand identity and functionality.
Final Designs
Impact
Positive Customer Feedback
In an anonymous survey, 84% of visitors had a positive experience using this app and highly recommended the experience to others. 83% of users found the experience helpful in their retail decisions.
Increased Sales
Client reported an increase in sales and product and Google Assistant awareness through this experience. Assisted in promoting partner products in addition to Google designed technology.
Frequent Updates
Google Virtual home is still active and through user research, there’s been updates to suit customer experience. Core aspects of this version of the experience is still utilized.
