Role
Senior UX researcher
Client
Confidential
Agency
Experientia
Market field
Electrical appliance manufacturer
Research & testing
Understanding and testing people’s interactions with heat pumps
Understanding people’s interactions with heat pumps
and with their key controller elements
The Chinese home appliance manufacturer client ask me and my team to research and develop a new controller for European consumers using air-to-water heat pumps. The project had two phases:
Initial research in France and Italy involved visiting homes of heat pump users to understand their needs and interactions.
The second phase included user tests in France and Italy with the prototype controller, collecting feedback and usage data.
The project's findings were used to improve the design of the heat pump controller.
Listen and understand
A qualitative user research and social trend analysis was conducted in order to fully understand people's lifestyle needs in heat pump management. By combining user and desk-based research, uncovered valuable insights were collected into the needs and expectations of European customers. These insights enabled the client to develop a heat pump controller truly tailored to meet the diverse needs of end users and customers.
Deliverables
- Desk & social trend analysis report
- User research report
Insights report and modeling
Based on the research conducted, Experientia provided a list of design recommendations and suggestions from end users and installers to guide the design phase of the customer's new heat pump controller. It also mapped out the user experience and key moments to consider during the design phase and defined 3 user type profiles on which to calibrate its design choices.
Deliverables
- User journey maps
- Design recommendations
- Key user profiles
User test
Based on the research insights, the client developed some alternative prototypes of 2-in-1 thermostat and controller and developed the interactive user interface prototype. I then conducted user testing by evaluating and testing the first product prototypes in order to provide a set of relevant insights to iterate the 2-in-1 controller and thermostat design.
Deliverables
- User test protocol
- User test report with key recommendations
Project team
UX researcher | Experientia
Luisa Miolano
French UX researcher | Experientia
Frédéric Fuchs
Project Manager | Experientia
Chiara Agamennone
Researcher | Experientia
Elena messina
