Role
Senior Designer
Year
2017 - 2019
Samsung - SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings is a smart home platform by Samsung that connects and controls compatible devices—like lights, appliances, and cameras—through a single app, enabling users to automate and manage their home from anywhere. I redesigned the mobile app to create a more intuitive, connected, and seamless experience.
01
Problem
The existing version of the SmartThings app contained too many features and was too cumbersome for users due to the complexity of the app structure. The previous version was rated as one of the most difficult-to-use apps created by Samsung. Moreover, since competitors like Google, Apple, and Amazon are leading the smart home market, it was critical for Samsung to increase its user base of SmartThings. So, we set our goal to create a simple and easy smart home service that even novice users can use.
02
Research
Conducted user research with 3 hypotheses of user behavior and created UX prototypes to determine their needs. After the prototype testing, we conducted user research every month to test different features and improve on our designs.
03
Concepts to validation
We explored three distinct design concepts to reimagine the Samsung SmartThings mobile experience, each representing a different approach to simplifying control and automation. Through user research and testing, we evaluated how well each concept resonated, focusing on clarity, trust, and ease of use. Based on these insights, we aligned on a single direction and iterated as a team—refining the experience to better support real user needs while strengthening the overall product vision.
Outcome
The 2016 redesign of Samsung SmartThings focused on simplifying a previously complex and fragmented smart home experience into a more approachable, consumer-friendly product.
The outcome was a shift toward a more intuitive, unified interface—introducing clearer device organization, simpler automation (then called "SmartApps"), and a more visual way to understand what's happening in the home. It made setup and everyday control significantly easier, helping SmartThings move beyond early adopters toward a broader audience.
Strategically, it also positioned Samsung to better compete in the emerging smart home space by emphasizing ease of use, accessibility, and ecosystem integration rather than technical complexity.
App store rating on iOS went from 1.2 to 4.4 and rating on Android from 2.1 to 4.5 in less than one year after launch.