Google Home

Google Home App Redesign: A Case Study

In my personal project, I set out to reimagine the Google Home app, aiming to resolve its usability issues. The original app was not making the best use of screen space, and users found it difficult to navigate. My vision was to craft a cleaner, more intuitive user experience that would feel at home within Google’s ecosystem.

The Google Home app redesign focused on creating a more user-friendly interface by reorganizing content into a card-based system for better device access, introducing navigational tabs and sorting options, and adopting Google’s clean design language. The redesign efficiently utilized screen space, added user comfort features like a dark mode, and personalized device icons. Key elements were resized and repositioned to optimize space, with secondary controls moved to a main menu for a clutter-free view. The bottom menu was also revamped for quick access to the Google Assistant, contributing to a streamlined and intuitive user experience.

Throughout the app, I focused on reducing the number of taps required to reach a target device, simplifying the journey for the user. I introduced a tab organizer and a sort function to make device access even quicker. The icons and color palette were updated to match Google’s standards, and I worked on creating a structural hierarchy to improve content alignment and navigation.

In the end, the app offers a less confusing and more aesthetically pleasing user experience. It’s a redesign that not only simplifies the user journey but also brings a sense of unity and consistency to the Google Home app, making it a joy to use day or night.

Disclaimer: This UX and UI exploration was based on my own long-term use of the Google Home app, as well as other Google and smart home apps.