Device Link: UX II Semester Project
The Device Link project was designed out of a desire to improve how users interact with their smart home technology. As IoT (Internet of Things) devices become increasingly common, managing them efficiently from one central hub is more important than ever. For this semester-long solo project in my UX II course, I set out to design a smarter, more intuitive app that could address a specific gap in the IoT app market.
Understanding the Problem
My research into existing IoT management apps like Google Home and Samsung SmartThings revealed a surprising flaw: nearly all of them lacked a basic search function. Users were forced to scroll through long lists of connected devices just to locate the one they needed. In homes with multiple smart devices, this process was time-consuming and inefficient.
This insight became the foundation of Device Link — an app designed not just to manage smart devices, but to streamline how users interacted with them.
User Persona Example
Finding the Solution
Device Link was designed with user experience at the forefront. I focused on a clean, intuitive interface with key features like a home dashboard, automation settings, event logs, and alerts. The standout feature was a powerful search function that let users quickly find devices, streamlining one of the app’s most frequent tasks and significantly improving satisfaction.
My Role
As the sole UX designer and researcher, I led the full process—from market research to prototyping and usability testing. Since I took this course before UX I, I hadn’t yet learned formal User Needs Analysis, so I relied on App Store reviews and competitive analysis to identify user frustrations. This approach still revealed key pain points, especially around navigation and missing real-time notifications.
Overcoming Challenges
Without the foundation of a UNA, the biggest challenge I faced was conducting meaningful user research. Relying solely on reviews limited the depth of insight I could gather, but it taught me how to extract valuable information from user feedback, even in a less structured environment. This experience highlighted the importance of user research and made me appreciate how a more formal process can elevate a design from functional to exceptional.
Impact on Users
Usability testing confirmed that the search feature greatly improved the user experience, allowing users to quickly find and access devices with less frustration. The new alerts page also added real-time updates, enhancing both convenience and safety for smart home management.
Test Hypothesis: Through the Device Link prototype, the users should be able to turn on the TV power in an average time of 15 seconds or less.
Project Reflection
The Device Link project taught me that even the most straightforward features — like a search bar — can make a huge difference in an app’s usability. By focusing on simplicity and efficiency, I created a tool that helped users regain control over their increasingly complex smart homes.
This experience also reinforced the importance of research in UX design. While I successfully delivered a functional prototype, I now recognize how valuable structured user analysis is in uncovering deeper behavioral insights that truly drive design decisions.