SmartLiving — Designing Calm Interfaces for Smarter Homes

Client Fortum
Collaborators HiQ, Futurice, Spring
Platforms iOS, Android
Date Apr 2017 - Jun 2018

Fortum’s SmartLiving app was created to make smart home technology accessible and intuitive for all residents - from tech-savvy users to older generations. The app needed to work seamlessly on both smartphones and wall-mounted tablets placed in apartment hallways.

I joined a team of designers where I focused on the visual design system, UI components, icons, and prototypes. I also contributed early on to concept development and wireframes, collaborating closely with UX designers.

One of the biggest challenges was designing an interface that blended into the home environment without feeling like a screen. To keep the experience calm and non-intrusive, especially for the tablet version, we used a neutral grey base with minimal use of color - reserving brighter states for alerts or key interactions. The UI was meant to feel more like a home appliance than a traditional app.

We validated our designs through workshops, user interviews, and on-the-street prototype testing, which provided direct feedback and helped us refine both aesthetics and usability. The result was a quiet, thoughtful interface that respected both form and function.