Communication System Design | Interaction Design
Holmes is a shared language system that composes itself to build our future smart homes. A language that is intuitive and observant just like the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
Duration – 7 weeks
My Role – Visual Design, Research
Individual – Class Project
Professor – John Howrey
Approach
Study and analyse existing established systems, conduct user interviews to sense the future intelligent home spaces, create mood boards and concepts, brand essence, visual design and define the language for a holistic impact.
Project Objective
To identify opportunities for enhancing experience through design of communication and develop a brand experience and visual system to achieve consistency for an ever-growing range of smart home products.
OUTCOME
Holmes is a future smart home design system inspired from Sherlock Holmes which has systematic & scalable frameworks —so that design could be meaningfully executed across offerings and address requirements of different user types, product brands and formats.
END TO END STORY
Below is the story of the brand experience and the design language addressing user needs.
Ben lives with his wife Ken, son Jim and, his mother Martha in Florida. He believes that every corner of his home needs to be treated with attention and care, and ensures that he is personally involved in every decision.
In the morning, Ben wakes up to the warm, energizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, with a hint of vanilla.
He spends a few meditative moments watching the sun filter through the blinds of his kitchen window, as they draw themselves to welcome a new day.
As Ben enters the shower, inspiring music begins to play as the water sets to his temperature.
Ben travels for work often. But wants to be connected with his family and support them in the little chores of the house when he can.
When Martha is home alone and craving for the cookies that Jen loves to bake, it’s not that hard to remember how to make them perfect.
Martha is now confident and does’t hesitate to bake what she loves.
Jen being alone at home never feels alone. Her home allows connection easier and closer.
Ben loves caring for his family, and is proud of the home they live in together.
DESIGN SYSTEM
The design system strategically deploys visual elements to support functionality, bring clarity and enhance user experience.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Sharp Learns quickly, adapts to your changing needs
Reflect Makes users feel understood, heard and respected
Flows Solves problems elegantly
Confident Goes one step further to ensure safety and satisfaction
Quiet Works quietly in the background, to evoke a sense of freedom, ease and effortlessness
MOODBOARD
COMPONENTS
SHAPES
Square, a shape that is trusted and reliable. Surfaces must be composed of square shapes.
GRIDS
Spaces are divided into even columns and rows to establish a system.
MARGINS
Every space must have a margin that is at least half of or more than the width of the first column.
PRODUCT ICONS
Product icons are stylistic. They must use the form circle to craft the stylistic look. Including the circle represents energy and ambitious nature of Sherlock.
FUNCTIONAL ICONS
The hidden negative spaces must reveal the form and meaning of the icon as well.
ACCESSIBILITY
Apart from the colors supporting the brand voice, they meet IBM’s accessible range for digital applications.
COLOR USAGE
The blues for active components and links.
The faded blue on black surfaces.
Orange for the ease of user’s actionable steps.
TYPEFACES
Primary
MULI
Body/Descriptions
Secondary
NOTO SANS
Header/Buttons
Numerical
NOTO SANS MONO
DISCOVER
