CLIENT
LEVOIT
TIMELINE
5 weeks
CATEGORY
Interface Design
UX Research
BRIEF
As a team of four, we reconsidered the interface design of the Levoit Dual 100 Ultrasonic Top-Fill Cool Mist to better accommodate various disabilities and be a more all encompassing product.
Levoit is a brand the specializes in the production of home appliances and other household products. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in California. Levoit offers a range of products, including air purifiers, oil diffusers, and vacuum cleaners, among others. Levoit is also known for its sleek and modern designs, receiving numerous awards on their products.
LEVOIT ACCESSIBILITY REDESIGN
WATER COMPARTMENT
ESSENTIAL OIL COMPARTMENT
PRODUCT INTERFACE
The 2-in-1 humidifier and diffuser is a top-fill design with 3 mist levels and the option for sleep mode (28dB), and auto shuts off when water is all used.
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Power button to turn on
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Moon button for silent
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Lights indicate different settings
ACCESSIBILITY STUDY
What are some things to consider?
AUDIENCE
This product is widely available and accessible, so it is used by many different people. Due to its compact size, it is perfect for an apartment, dorm, or other small home. The design is simple and easy to use for people of different ages and abilities. A user of this humidifier does not have to be a technological expert or have prior knowledge of the product.
PRODUCT
Product Name: Dual 100 Ultrasonic Top-Fill Cool Mist 2-in-1 Humidifier & Diffuser
Uses: Humidifier helps with breathing and the essential oil diffuser helps calm the user and infuses the air
Dimensions: 7"D x 7"W x 10.6"H with a cord length of 5 feet
Price: $59.99 (Levoit Website)
HOW IT WORKS
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Open the top lid and pour water to desired height
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Open up the second compartment and drop 3-10 drops of essential oil
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Turn on the product by pressing the power button and set to desired mist level
Low Vision
High contrasting coloring and lighting, larger buttons, and tactile feedback
Blindness
Auditory feedback, beveled text, symbols and buttons
Deafness
Visual indicators and feedback
Amputee
Large and well-spaced buttons, beveled buttons, durability and safety
POTENTIAL ISSUES
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Users don't know when to refill the water or essential oil
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Putting in the oil in a separate compartment to the water
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Silent mode isn't very necessary or practical
ACCESSIBILITY STUDY
DEAFNESS
LOW VISION
Visual indicators and feedback
High contrasting coloring and lighting, larger buttons, and tactile feedback
AMPUTEE
BLINDNESS
Large and well-spaced buttons, beveled buttons, durability and safety
Auditory feedback, beveled text, symbols and buttons
USABILITY TESTING
After initial research, we sat down with five participants to test the product to complete a number of tasks without given the product's instructions.
Insights:
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All participants correctly assumed that pressing the power button multiple times would adjust the humidity level.
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Even after interacting with it, most participants remained confused about the crescent moon button.
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Participants mistakenly believed that both the essential oil and water should be placed in the same compartment.
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The color-coded separation of compartments was helpful, most participants easily identified and removed the cap. Also, take the different compartments apart and reassemble them.
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Light from inside blinks and dings when past min line
See through water level
Water & Essential Oil Compartment
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Embossed water symbol
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White, yellow, orange, pink, red, green, and blue
Mood light
Bluetooth, Power, and Light Buttons
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All buttons are protruding with embossed symbols
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Gradually bigger lights indicating mist level
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Dings when water level is low
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Anti-slip rubber bottom
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Ability to play music
Speakers
AFTER
FEATURES
MOOD LIGHT
WATER COMPARTMENT LID
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All buttons are protruding with embossed symbols
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Gradually bigger lights indicating mist level
Embossed water symbol
SPEAKER
SEE THROUGH WATER COMPARTMENT
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Dings when water level is low
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Anti-slip rubber bottom
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Ability to play music
Light from inside blinks and dings when past min line
FINAL PRODUCT
BEFORE
Levoit's products are designed to combine wellness, technology, and personalization to create clean and comfortable atmospheres.
Levoit's products are designed to combine wellness, technology, and personalization to create clean and comfortable atmospheres.
IN CONCLUSION...
In conclusion, redesigning Levoit's interface provided a valuable opportunity to enhance the user experience, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Our primary goal was to create an interface that was not only intuitive and user-friendly but also accessible to users with varying needs, making it easier for everyone to navigate and interact with Levoit’s features.
Reflecting on the process, I realize that while usability testing provided helpful insights, we could have gone further in simulating real-world challenges for users with disabilities. Incorporating more immersive testing methods—such as blindfolding participants or having them wear noise-cancelling headphones—could have yielded deeper insights and more concrete data to support our design decisions. This experience emphasized the importance of empathy-driven testing and reinforced the need for more inclusive design practices.
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