Redesigned A Companion App For TomTom Navigation Devices.
CHALLENGE
TomTom’s MyDrive app was developed years ago to help TomTom owners connect their device to the internet and get the all-important real-time traffic information. Through the app, users can also type in their destinations and synchronise them with the TomTom device. However, the app is difficult to pair with the device, offers a few outdated functions and is confusing to the users. How can we make it work seamlessly and ensure that the user is fully in control? Can we seize the opportunity to give TomTom customers a better driving experience? How can we keep them engaged longer with the brand they love so much?
My Role
UI/UX Design
Art Director
User Research
Journey Mapping
Wireframing
Video Editor
Interaction Design
Design Systems
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Miro
Adobe After Effects
Client
TomTom
Collaborators
Wenjia Wang
Jessica Galvao
Marianna Bonellou
Duration
4 Months
Project Type
Case Study
GOALS
Create a simple pairing process
Create features that add values to the app
Redesign the user interface of the app
THE USERS
Men, aged 50+, who already owned a TomTom navigation device.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
It’s regarded a success, If we can successfully redesign the mobile app and combine the new style with the old TomTom traditional UI style. In addition, it is also regarded successful if the app is easy to use and engaging for the loyal customers.
THE PROCESS
DISCOVERY & ANALYSIS
ANALYSING THE EXISITING MYDRIVE APP
We started by analysing the existing app and looking for ways to improve the user's experience. Later, we discovered that the existing app wasn’t really easy to navigate and this was also later proven when we did usability testing with the intended target group. They would give up using the companion app and would only use the tomTom navigation device independently. Furthermore, the app's existing user interface doesn't mirror the one on a TomTom navigation device which makes it inconsistent if the app is supposed to be used side by side with the app. Lastly, the existing app has a feature that is called “Road Trip” which gave us the first lead to explore the holiday angle while using the app. We found out through a TomTom survey that the majority of TomTom users use the device for holiday travelling.
Through interviews and online surveys we understood that:
The users plan their trip months in advance and they enjoy the culture of planning.
There is a Dutch word to describe joy or pleasure ahead and in anticipation of the actual fun event: ‘voorpret’.
The target group searches for places to go on their trip from different sources.
We also found that the target user relies on the service of ANWB (a Dutch road and travelling assistance service) to prepare for holidays.
USER INTERVIEW INSIGHTS
CONCEPTING: TRIP FOLDER
By observing European past travel behaviours, we identified the need of storing holiday destinations in a dedicated digital space. Then, according to data provided by TomTom, 90 percent of the company's navigation device users use it to travel to a holiday destination. As a result, we made the decision to develop a tool that consumers can use months before departing for their major holiday. Users can simply sync all of their destinations to their TomTom by storing all of their destination's details in the app beforehand. Instead of having to manually type each destination into their TomTom device, customers only need to sync the destinations when they are ready to leave.
USER TESTING
Testing each stage of our design with the targeted users was the only way to make sure it succeeded. We tested with specific tasks but also with open ended questions on subjects such as navigation, copy and as well as desirability if they would actually use it. With a target audience up to 80 years old, we had to make sure that the app was legible, accessible and easy to navigate.
DESIGN SOLUTION & FEATURES:
PLAN ANYWHERE &
ANYTIME
The TomTom MyDrive 2.0 application, is a digital product that offers the driver and their family essential services before, while and after driving. We ensure a smooth pairing process and provide functions to keep the loyal customers happy and within the TomTom family of products.
TRIP FOLDER
With Trip Folder, users can store desired destinations months in advance and are able to sync it to their TomTom device with ease on the day of the trip. Destinations will be grouped by tabs which are automatically created. The tabs categorise locations by countries, provinces, and cities, making it simple to locate previously stored destinations.
REMOTE CONTROL
Through MyDrive, the passengers can add new places or modify an already-synced location from their own smartphones to the TomTom device.
USER INTERFACE DESIGN RATIONALE
We need to make sure that the user can still recognise the new design, thus we must take TomTom's style conventions into account. In addition, we also need to combine the TomTom design convention with modern style in order to keep the app looking fresh. After all, we've kept the TomTom convention style in our final prototype while adding our own twist to it. The app now appears more like a companion app rather than an independent navigation app, thanks to the updated design.
DESIGN SYSTEM
Once our visual direction was complete, I created a library of reusable components in Figma to speed up screen design and ensure consistent element placement, layout, and usage.