SYNC Refresh Design Idea w/Current Design Assessment

[DadzBoyz]

First, I love my MME. It's been trouble free for 5,500 miles, it gets complimented constantly, it's a blast to drive....

That said, the User Interface and User Experience are an inconsistent mish-mash of work done by different people (that don't appear to have talked to each other) at different times, without a roadmap, without a plan, without a design book, without a design philosophy, without design standards....
It's functional but inconsistent and ugly.

In the last few weeks I threw out an idea for a FordPass redesign. It was thrown together pretty quickly, but it had a method, philosophy, and consistency.​

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/updated-fordpass-redesign-dark-mode-idea.29898/​

Around the same time, @ihor shared an AMAZING new take on the instrument panel/cluster.​

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/a-fresh-take-on-the-mustang-mache-instrument-cluster.29919/​

So, here we go again. Recently, I had a little time on my hands and felt a creative streak. This time I focused on the SYNC Infotainment screen. More specifically, I focused on the areas used to navigate the system. This work was only on the top panel/bar, and the tiles/shortcuts.

The end result is not a complete system redesign, but an effort to unify the User Interface, streamline graphic elements, and create more consistency in the overall approach within the existing framework. An approach that would enhance the experience without the heavy lift of a full redesign. Something doable in the shorter term.

My profession is in software development which includes functional, as well as visual design (UI/UX). I'm not a graphic artist, but I manage and work with them on projects constantly.
....and I still do not have Photoshop.

Please share your thoughts, critiques, ideas, etc.

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[Mach-Lee]

My suggestions are:

• Space the buttons out at the top more so they are easier to hit on a bumpy road accurately
  • I hate touch buttons that are too small or close together
• Add more status into to the recent app tiles, similar to how efficiency is currently showed
  • All four tire pressure numbers could be shown in the mini tile
  • Charge limit or next scheduled charge could be shown in charging mini tile
  • Current radio station or song could be shown in the radio mini tile
• I like different color icons for the apps which makes them easier to tell apart. Your design seems too monochromic.
  • I prefer the OG app icons, just fix the ugly ones in the top bar

 

[SashaLondon]

I think that is a good direction. I also think the icons are terrible clip art-level icons. Try the same design with better icons will instantly make it look more premium.

 

[DadzBoyz]

I think that is a good direction. I also think the icons are terrible clip art-level icons. Try the same design with better icons will instantly make it look more premium.

Great feedback, @SashaLondon . Thanks for taking the time.

The intent was to make the UI more consistent, unified, and streamlined in terms of color, iconography, readability, etc.

• Color
  • The top left buttons (Home/Settings/Camera) are a random, non-neutral color that matches nothing.
  • Fonts are rendered in two colors (gray and white)
  • When the Profile button (top right) is pressed, the "Close" button is a different color/style form Home/Settings/Camera buttons and the "X" color changes with drive mode (preferable)
  • Some tile icon colors are drive mode themed while others are unique, fixed colors.
• Iconography - 2d blocks vs. 2d w/shadow vs. line drawing - Pick one and stick with it.

Some of the icons are clipart, others are modified clipart, and others I created/recreated. I definitely think that a new, custom, unique iconography would be ideal. It would be a big investment of time, but maybe I'll try to take that on.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

 

[DadzBoyz]

My suggestions are:

• Space the buttons out at the top more so they are easier to hit on a bumpy road accurately
  • I hate touch buttons that are too small or close together
• Add more status into to the recent app tiles, similar to how efficiency is currently showed
  • All four tire pressure numbers could be shown in the mini tile
  • Charge limit or next scheduled charge could be shown in charging mini tile
  • Current radio station or song could be shown in the radio mini tile
• I like different color icons for the apps which makes them easier to tell apart. Your design seems too monochromic.
  • I prefer the OG app icons, just fix the ugly ones in the top bar

@Mach-Lee ,

Thanks for the feedback. This was just a first pass, but I like your thoughts.

I may go back to the drawing board, but it looks like there may already be progress coming on some of these fronts!

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/updated-sync-4a-icons-are-coming.30129/

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