Logitech: Discovery innovation designer
Logitech: Discovery innovation designer
Team
Discovery innovation team in Logitech in Hsinchu, Taiwan
Company
Logitech, a leading global electronic devices providers
Key Ability
Design research, User-centric approach, Visual storytelling, Rhino, Figma, Keyshot, Photoshop, Hand Sketching
OVERVIEW
In 2023, I joined Logitech’s Innovation Discovery team as an Innovation Design Intern, leading a user-centric project focused on desktop products.
My role was to flesh out a big idea from the business side into a complete proposal through user research, interaction designs, and storytelling. Afterward, I also critically evaluated the proposal using structured metrics, analyzing its user experience. This process resulted in clear recommendations for prioritizing development in later stages.
Confidentiality prevents me from disclosing specific details, but I can provide a general overview of my contributions. The design outcome is self-made for communication purposes while not related to the confidential content.
How it STArts
Creating A Sense Of Mastery For Users In Their Hybrid Working space
Research uncovered a common thread: users want control. From managing battery anxiety to juggling fragmented device interactions, the need for simplicity and mastery was clear. This insight opened the door to an exciting opportunity—to design a product that empowers users by streamlining their physical and digital experiences.
The challenge
From zero to one
A strong idea is a great start, but it’s just the beginning. Turning research into something tangible—something actionable—required clarity and refinement. The challenge was to build a proposal that could inform stakeholders in making meaningful decisions.This project set out to achieve three key goals:
Craft a compelling interaction concept
that merges interaction design with user experience, ensuring it’s both forward-thinking and grounded in real user needs.
Critically evaluate the concept
through structured analysis, surfacing insights to shape the next stages of development.
Tell the story effectively,
delivering a visually striking and clear presentation that resonates with decision-makers at the managerial level.
Contribution
Rapid Research
Pinpointed users need, desire, and pain points.
We directly engaged with users experienced in hybrid working, conducting interviews with five participants. Some used setups with three or more screens, while others preferred the simplicity of a single laptop.
Despite their diverse work styles, they shared a common goal: improving the organization of their work environment. Their needs ranged from advanced solutions, like a battery management system to accurately predict charging times, to something as simple as a USB hub. Some also expressed interest in a "vibe changer" that could seamlessly help them shift moods while working.
This research, combined with desire, need and pain points and what we already knew — I pinpointed these key areas of interest
Contextual analysis- A day of Alice
The pinpointed key areas led to one main realization - it’s not just about fixing one touchpoint. It’s about creating a journey that feels whole, satisfying, and makes sense in the bigger picture.
With this insight, we created "A Day of Alice"—a detailed map of her activities in a home office. By analyzing every step, we searched for opportunities to design the moments in between.
Research inishgts
Good morning. I am working. See you.
Through our scenario analysis, we identified three critical moments that need to be designed: entering the office, working, and leaving the office. Drawing from the peak-end rule, focusing on these three moments allows us to create a seamless and satisfying user experience.
We need a compact, not a complicated design
One key design constraint emerged: the device must be compact and simple. Given the users’ limited home office space, it cannot be a complex audio-visual system. Instead, it should integrate seamlessly into their workspace without overwhelming it.
From research to design
Scenario-based Ideation and Storyboarding
With the insights, we dive into the target user's work scenario and explore opportunity. To contextualize the interaction proposal effectively, I utilized storyboarding as a key tool to generate ideas.
The final design
WR-02: a central hub to connect all your devices.
After rounds of ideation, we decided to focus on the minimal device with rich interaction. As the outcome of the design is confidential, here is the self-made design concept to showcase my ability in the physical design phase.
WR-02 offers a solution with its minimalist design philosophy. This light, central hub, no larger than a notebook, connects all the devices in your personal workspace, integrating seamlessly with your smartphone to serve as a second display.
Activation with your phone
By putting the user's phone on the WR-02, it unlocks all the devices connected. The single interaction saved the redundant procedure of turning on/off the peripherals. No more fumbling with power buttons or wrestling with cables. WR-02 transforms the complexity of your workspace into a symphony of simplicity.
Switch vibe by synchronization
Your phone becomes the command center of your personalized workspace, transforming into a second display with customizable presets. With a single tap, tailor your environment to your exact preferences: adjust the lighting, launch your favorite applications, and fine-tune the audio to create the perfect atmosphere for focus and productivity.
Mixed-Method Evaluation
To evaluate the design proposals, I implemented a mixed-method approach.
I constructed the evaluation process, including the indication definition, experiment design, research tool, and the result. Firstly, as there is no direct instrument for evaluating sense of mastery. This evaluation session used three relevant indicators—happiness, adoption, and usability—based on a literature review.
Secondly, the experiment was designed in a scenario-based principle. 6 participants were asked to imagine their first day using Unita in their home office. They were asked to complete four scenario-based tasks, each simulating a different at-home work scenario. The interaction embodiment was implemented by a semi-Wizard-of-Oz prototype.
Before each task, the researcher provided a scenario card outlining the specific task objectives. During the tasks, participants were not permitted to communicate with the researcher and had to rely on their understanding of Unita’s functions to complete each interaction independently.
Thirdly. I collected data through a semi-structured interview and an NPS survey. The result highlights high usability (100% task success), function priorities (survey result), and the overall preference (NPS).
IMPACT
This project has successfully been handed over to further stages of development. 😉
Navigating the Ecosystem Gap: Logitech’s User-Centric Innovation Strategy
From a business perspective, Logitech faces competition from system-based giants like Asus, HP, Microsoft, and Dell, which leverage their infrastructure advantages to seamlessly integrate hardware design and system updates, enhancing user interactions with their devices. This creates a challenge for Logitech: how to deliver a consistent, system-level experience without owning the ecosystem.
In response to this challenge, this project drives innovation through a user-centric lens. It goes beyond proposing new interaction ideas by validating them through a rigorous scientific research process. This approach enables us to present not only compelling visuals but also data-driven evaluations, ensuring both creativity and credibility in the outcomes.
Reflection
Testimonial
During his internship period at Logitech, Alvin has been a great member of our team, bringing forth a combination of innovative thinking, an open mind, collaborative spirit, and practical product design skills.
Innovative Thinking:
One of Alvin's standout qualities is their ability to generate and implement innovative ideas. Whether faced with a challenging problem or brainstorming for a new project, he consistently demonstrated a fresh and creative approach. This ability not only contributed to the success of our projects but also infused a dynamic energy into the team.
Open Mind:
Alvin approaches tasks and challenges with an open mind, readily embracing new concepts and perspectives. This quality fosters a positive and inclusive work environment, allowing for diverse ideas to flourish.
Collaborative Spirit:
One of Alvin's greatest strengths is his collaborative spirit. He seamlessly integrated into our team, effectively communicating and working alongside colleagues. Not only values teamwork but actively fosters a sense of unity, making Alvin a pleasure to work with.
Practical Product Design Skills:
Alvin possesses highly practical product design skills that set him apart. His ability to translate conceptual ideas into tangible and functional designs is commendable. Alvin demonstrated proficiency in user centered innovation, enhancing the overall quality of our projects.
Courage to Challenge and Team Alignment:
He also displayed remarkable courage in facing challenges head-on and a strong commitment to aligning personal goals with the team's objectives. Alvin embraced each task with enthusiasm and determination, inspiring others to strive for excellence.In conclusion,
I have full confidence in Alvin Lu's ability to excel in any professional setting. He has not only met but exceeded our expectations during the internship period. Alvin is a reliable, skilled, and personable individual who will undoubtedly bring great value to any team.
MIND LEARNING
Thanks to my manager, Aaron Lee, I thrived on the ownership I had in this project, where I enjoyed high autonomy in steering this project. This experience taught me how to apply design methods in a real-world context, balancing practical considerations like budget, cross-departmental communication, and time constraints. The sense of ownership motivated me to expand my perspective beyond just design, focusing on delivering a well-rounded, comprehensive project.
I learned to consistently took the initiative to lead the design project, ensuring that essential design actions—such as employing a mixed-method approach for evaluation and creating storyboards by AI for conceptualization—were effectively communicated and implemented across the team.
