Connected Products & HMI

Designing user experiences for products where physical interfaces, embedded software and digital systems have to work together.

Connected product UX

HMI & interface design

Embedded software UX

Real-world use

Complex systems

Designing for connected products

In this context, interface decisions extend beyond the interface itself. Design choices are shaped by physical controls, embedded logic, connectivity constraints and real-world usage, alongside engineering, production, service and long-term maintenance requirements.

New connected products

Defining interaction models and constraints before hardware and software decisions are locked in.

Evolving or legacy interfaces

Rethinking existing HMIs as functionality grows, changes or needs to be simplified.

Physical and digital alignment

Aligning physical controls, on-device interfaces and companion apps around shared logic.

Ergonomics and repetitive use

Designing interactions that account for posture, reach, muscle memory and frequent actions.

Cross-functional development

Supporting products shaped by multiple teams without a single owner of the end-to-end experience.

New connected products

Defining interaction models and constraints before hardware and software decisions are locked in.

Evolving or legacy interfaces

Rethinking existing HMIs as functionality grows, changes or needs to be simplified.

Physical and digital alignment

Aligning physical controls, on-device interfaces and companion apps around shared logic.

Ergonomics and repetitive use

Designing interactions that account for posture, reach, muscle memory and frequent actions.

Cross-functional development

Supporting products shaped by multiple teams without a single owner of the end-to-end experience.

A system-level perspective

Design decisions in connected products often affect more than a single interface. A system-level view helps keep interfaces, services and touchpoints consistent across the broader product ecosystem.

Looking beyond individual interfaces

Physical controls, embedded HMIs, companion apps and backend systems influence each other and need to be considered as part of a single product experience.

Making constraints explicit

Technical, production and operational constraints shape interaction decisions more than visual design alone.

Design decisions and business models

Interaction design often influences digital services, feature adoption and long-term monetization — especially in connected and service-enabled products.

Looking beyond individual interfaces

Physical controls, embedded HMIs, companion apps and backend systems influence each other and need to be considered as part of a single product experience.

Making constraints explicit

Technical, production and operational constraints shape interaction decisions more than visual design alone.

Design decisions and business models

Interaction design often influences digital services, feature adoption and long-term monetization — especially in connected and service-enabled products.

A clear starting point

When working on connected products, the first step is often a focused assessment — to understand the product, align perspectives and decide what really matters before moving forward.

Your product may span across more than one area

Connected products and digital systems are rarely confined to a single domain. Physical interfaces, software, services and platforms often overlap — which means your context may extend across more than one of the areas below.

Smart appliances & professional equipment

Designing usable interfaces for connected appliances and professional tools used in real-world conditions.

Companion apps & dashboards

Apps and dashboards extending product interaction beyond the physical device.

B2B platforms & SaaS

Complex platforms designed to support multi-role workflows and scalable systems.

Not sure where to start?

A short conversation is often enough to understand which areas are most relevant for your product, and how they connect across physical and digital touchpoints.