Level Home Companion App
Level Home’s product philosophy is “Technology that disappears, not interferes” and they wanted their companion app experience to reflect their high standards in a seamless experience from device to door.
Objectives
Embodies core values
Design interactions to reflect the brand ethos of intuitive, simple, and useful.
Conveys unmatched quality
Match the premium physical experience of the locks, which are designed with high quality materials and feel great in the hand.
Flexible, scalable library
Create a design toolkit and motion language Level’s in-house developers could own and implement
Challenge
The majority of Level’s team had spent time at Apple, and they approached design from an experience-first perspective; their smart locks are minimal, intuitive to use and come with a range of features to make welcoming house guests or repair workers and accepting deliveries a convenient and safe part of users’ lives. Next to the hardware, the companion app was functional and flat, failing to match the premium design and materials of the locks..
Thus, the ambition for this project was to create a fresh look and feel alongside a scalable design that was rooted in Level’s brand ethos. A library of components their in-house team could roll out over the coming months as the business underwent growth and expansion into new markets.
Process
Level’s design philosophy was very much like our own and we started with zero assumptions, a timeline of 4 sprints, and a plan to immerse Level’s in-house development team in the design process. Knowing that redevelopment of the app would be a substantial undertaking, our team had a deadline to hit, and developers to charm.
Tapping into Level’s deep expertise, our team hosted brainstorms into user journeys using a combination of heuristics analysis and pain point mapping. Fresh off the back of user testing, Level’s product owners were able to provide insight into clunky user interactions such as confusion during onboarding, unintuitive (un)locking and the lack of clarity in performing key functions.
The team settled into a cadence of kick-offs, mid-sprint and end of sprint reviews, which were adjusted along the way to allow for design feedback to be made from previous sprints. A co-creation mindset and a 9hr time difference worked in our favour as both sides pitched in to keep discussions flowing toward the handover of the design library.
“The ambition for this project was to create a fresh design language that was rooted in Level’s existing brand ethos; Technology that disappears, not interferes”
Results
As the redesign wrapped, the new app helped users to intuitively ensure the real and felt safety of their home. Lock information was made more accessible, allowing users to swipe through and check the status of each access point. Provisioning access to guests came together simply with the tap of a few buttons. Most importantly, with careful consideration of UI and motion design, like a true companion, the app became a seamless extension of the Level locks’ features.
Since then, the app designs have been seamlessly integrated as a core part of Level’s product language, inspiring the look and feel of their digital ecosystem. We achieved this longevity in the design by close collaboration with Level’s team during the development phase, making strategic adjustments to our approach. It goes without saying — we’re thrilled with how Level’s development team flawlessly executed our shared vision. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in design.
Ready to transform your companion experience?
Want to ensure your companion app meets and exceeds your expectations? Our agency has the expertise to elevate your digital experience, just like we did for Level Home. Let's work together to create a seamless and engaging user journey.
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