MotoNav

“Map = home” principle ensured a persistently visible map view

My Role

As the Lead Designer, I directed a cross-functional team of Industrial and UI Designers to deliver end-to-end UX and product design for a new line of MotoNav personal navigation devices—seamlessly integrating physical and digital interactions to prioritize driver safety and intuitive use. Grounded in deep user research and environmental context, we introduced a “map = home” UI principle that ensured constant orientation by keeping the map view persistently visible—while secondary information appeared on translucent, non-obstructive sliding panels. I reimagined the device’s physical interaction by placing large, tactile buttons on the back, enabling blind operation and reducing driver distraction.

By optimizing for a 3-foot interaction, maintaining the map view as the constant focal point, and emphasizing panoramic screen proportions, the design significantly reduced cognitive load for drivers. I led Research, Industrial Design, and UI direction, resulting in a highly usable, user-centered product that won the 2009 Red Dot Design Award for Best Product Design.