Project Launcher
Enabling designers to prototype broader and inclusive digital interactions.
Background
As part of Ford's D-Ford innovation lab, I helped design an internal Android tablet app for building experiential vehicle prototypes. Designers needed a way to prototype beyond isolated screens, so we created a tool to simulate full ecosystem interactions by integrating third-party services and supporting early concept validation.
What I Did
Mapped user flows
Conducted designer interviews
Ideated core features
Prototyped interactions
Defined app structure
Timeline
12 weeks
Problem
Designers repeatedly have to rebuild the same complex, multi-system interactions because there’s no way to store and reuse them as a single package.
Designers often have to recreate the same multi-system interactions (like pairing a red seatbelt alert on the display with a haptic vibration in the seat) because there’s no way to store these combined prototypes in one place for reuse.
Example…
Driver dynamic windshield
Driver infotainment screen with notification
Passenger smart watch unlocking
All of these interactions and prototype screens would have to be stored separately - but what if there was a way for us to package it all together and have iterations of "driver pick up" interactions?
How might we…
support efficient iteration via collaborative experiential prototypes?
Designers using the Launcher app aren’t just building UI, they’re crafting full experiential prototypes that span apps, events, and hardware modes.
Without a way to easily revisit or share these complex setups, valuable work is often lost or unnecessarily recreated. I designed the restore backup flow to address this gap, enabling designers to save rich, interactive prototypes to a shared library for version control, future iteration, and cross-team reuse.
Research and Scoping
Shaping the MVP through feasibility and familiarity
I studied industry-standard cloud platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox to understand familiar patterns around version control libraries, conducted 6+ user interviews within the internal design community, then identified what was technically possible via dev collaboration. This iterative process helped shape a broad concept into a focused MVP that maintains utility while ensuring it still felt intuitive and recognizable.
User Flow
Defined user flow through key MVP features
Key Frames
1) List Card View
Sortable and filterable list depicting key decision making info: project name, recency, and description.
2) Minimal Actions
Limited CTAs due to scope of MVP, prioritizing key actions and leaving room for user feedback.
3) Detail View
Emphasis on features in detail view so users can understand content and possible hardware needed.
4) Intentional Feature Selection
Allow users to select specific functionality to encourage iteration and reusing components.
Click the iPad to interact with the prototype!
Results
Launched 6+ Key Baseline Features
Transformed an ambitious idea into a focused MVP leading to swift development and deployment
Live Prototype Browsing
There is now working capability to upload and browse experiential prototypes to support collaboration and speed up the design iteration process.
Usability Testing Underway
At the end of my internship, usability testing was underway, marking a successful transition from conceptual design to a real testable experience.
as of when I left..
Reflections and Takeaways
Designing within constraints
Collaborating with the dev team taught me to balance vision with feasibility. Prioritizing a minimum viable product sharpened my ability to make smart trade-offs and adapt without compromising user experience.
Owning parts of a larger system
Joining mid-project taught me to navigate established systems while contributing meaningfully. Owning the restore backup feature helped me learn to lead and support within a collaborative design process.
Always room to refine
With more time, I’d deepen usability testing, refine interactions, and expand backup features like filtering and previews. This project left me eager to keep evolving the experience.
Connect with me
// made with
by tami