Car Dashboard
When my web design teacher approached me after class with a unique challenge, I knew this was an opportunity to push my UX design skills to the next level.
The mission was clear: design a car dashboard interface for a driving simulator used in a UX/UI Design class. With just two weeks to complete the project, I dove headfirst into a fascinating exploration of automotive user experience design.
Tools
Figma
Type
Human-Computer Interaction
Year
2024
Background
The Fundamentals of Automotive UX Design
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design take on a critical dimension when applied to automotive interfaces. Unlike typical digital products, car dashboards operate in a high-stakes environment where design can directly impact user safety and interaction efficiency.
Interaction Domains
I identified five core interaction areas for the dashboard:
Home Screen
Navigation
Audio System
Phone Integration
Additional Applications
Process
Design Development
Designing for automotive interfaces proved more challenging than anticipated. Despite driving regularly, I realized how seamlessly modern car interfaces operate - making it difficult to deconstruct their user experience.
My research methodology involved:
Hands-on exploration of my friend's car infotainment system
Studying current automotive UX design trends
Analyzing existing advanced driver assistance systems
Final Thoughts
What began as a two-week challenge evolved into a comprehensive exploration of user experience principles applied to a critical real-world context. This project not only expanded my design skills but also deepened my appreciation for the nuanced art of creating user-centric interfaces.
An interesting observation emerged during the simulator testing: students were more engaged with the racing aspect of the game, often overlooking nuanced features like Bluetooth phone integration.
This insight highlighted the importance of understanding user motivation and designing interfaces that can capture attention even in high-stimulus environments.
