Kairn Design Studio
As a freelance Product Designer collaborating with Kairn Design Studio, I moved beyond traditional web environments to focus on the intersection of hardware and digital experiences. I was responsible for designing embedded interfaces for two major physical products: an e-bike motor ecosystem and an avalanche transceiver (DVA).
E-Bike motor interfaces
Problem
Riders need access to critical information (battery life, speed, assist mode) while in motion, without their attention being dangerously diverted from the road or trail. The challenge was to design an ecosystem comprising two distinct interfaces with different use cases.
Constraints
- Top-tube Interface: Extremely limited space and limited attention from riders. Needed to be purely essential and glanceable.
- Handlebar Interface: A more comprehensive screen requiring deeper navigation, without overwhelming the rider.
- Environmental factors: High contrast needed for direct sunlight visibility, and interaction constraints (rain, sweat, dirt).
Design Decisions
- Scalable UI System: Developed a visual language that felt consistent across both the minimalist top-tube display and the richer handlebar dashboard.
- Glanceability First: Stripped away all non-critical data on the top-tube interface, relying on bold typography and color-coded indicators to convey battery and assist levels instantly.
- Progressive Disclosure: Reserved secondary data (average speed, trip distance, advanced settings) accessible through safe, tactile/butons inputs.
Avalanche Transceiver (DVA)
Problem
Designing an interface for a life-saving device where the user is operating under severe psychological stress, extreme time pressure, and harsh weather conditions.
Project still in progress.
Constraints
- Cognitive Load: The user is likely panicked. The interface cannot require complex reading or interpretation.
- Physical Limitations: Operated in freezing temperatures, often through thick ski gloves, and viewed through foggy or snow-covered goggles.
- Zero Margin for Error: Misinterpreting the directional UI could literally cost a life.
Design Decisions
- Minimalism: Removed any UI elements that did not directly serve the search-and-rescue function.
- Unambiguous Directional Feedback: Designed high-contrast, universally understood visual cues (arrows, proximity rings) coupled with dynamic scaling to guide the user toward the victim intuitively.
- Foolproof States: Ensured that the switch between "Transmit" and "Search" modes was visually undeniable on the screen, matching the physical hardware switches.
Outcome
Through these projects, I demonstrated how digital product design must adapt to stringent physical realities. It reinforced my ability to prioritize usability, safety, and essentialism over aesthetic embellishments, delivering critical interfaces that users can rely on in challenging environments.
