HOUSEMATE
Where Simplicity Meets Smart Living.
Responsibilities: Complex Interface | iPad Design | Team Collaboration | Working from Brief
THE Concept
As part of our complex interface design course, we were given a detailed brief to design a smart home system – the kind that manages everything from lighting and blinds to air conditioning, cameras, irrigation, and sound.
Our challenge was to translate this complex, technical system into a tablet-based experience that feels smooth, intuitive, and enjoyable to use.
The Need
With so many smart devices scattered across different rooms and systems, users needed a single, intuitive place to manage it all. The challenge wasn’t just about control – it was about making the entire experience feel calm, clear, and easy to navigate, even for less tech-savvy users.
The vision
Where Complexity Meets Clarity
Since the system includes a wide range of devices and complex actions, it was important for us to design an interface that feels accessible, smooth, and easy to operate.
We wanted every user – whether tech-savvy or not – to feel naturally oriented within the interface, without friction or hesitation.
To support that experience, we crafted a visual language that’s clean and aesthetic: soft colors, calm layouts, and a clear visual hierarchy that makes the interface feel light and intuitive.
THE Brief
System Requirements That Set the Tone
So we got to work - first, we needed to understand exactly what this smart home needed to do.
Three floors, quite a few rooms, and a long list of components - and every action had to be accessible, simple, and controllable at the tap of a button.
Here are the requirements that shaped our path forward:
The Home Layout.
Our smart home is spread across three floors, each with its own unique rooms and functions:
Basement Floor
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Master Bedroom
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Two Children’s Bedrooms
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Bathroom
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Guest Restroom
Ground Floor
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Kitchen
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Home Office
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Guest Restroom
Top Floor
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Guest Room
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Playroom
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Bathroom
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Safe Room
The Devices
Full Control Over Every Device in the House
Windows & Blinds
Separate control for glass and blinds
Glass: Adjust transparency level
Blinds: Open, half-open, closed
Lighting
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Light source in every room
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Adjustable brightness control
Air Conditioning
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Available in every room except bathrooms
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Control temperature, modes, and fan speed
Features & Customization
Smart Features Designed for Simplicity and Control
Manual and automatic control options
Create and edit custom presets
One-time timers for activating specific devices
Navigate by room or floor
Visual indicators showing current device status
The Information Architecture
Mapping the System
We mapped out all the screens to define a clear and intuitive system structure.
This helped organize the complexity into a logical layout that makes every feature easy to find and access.
The Wireframing
Let the planning begin
We defined the core screens of the interface through detailed wireframes, focusing on structure, clarity, and user flow.
Each screen was carefully planned to reflect the system’s logic and priorities- ensuring that navigating between rooms, managing devices, and accessing custom settings feels simple and intuitive.
The dashboard serves as the central hub, displaying the overall status of the house, energy consumption, weather updates, and security. It gives users instant access to active devices, presets, and direct control over each component, floor, or room - all from one place.
The UI
It’s Not Just About Control - It’s About Comfort
After finalizing the screen structure, we moved on to designing an interface that feels as smart as the home it manages.
We chose a clean and precise design, with a clear and appropriate color palette to create a calm, comfortable, and accessible experience.
The visual hierarchy, typography, and iconography all support intuitive navigation and strengthen the user’s sense of control and organization.
