JULIE ZHU
I'm Julie 👋
A restless UX Designer
where visual art meets technology and user experience. My goal is to craft designs that are both efficient and engaging, blending simplicity with creativity.
Currently UX Designer @ Verizon
Previously @ Parsons
Collaboration with OnePlus
Always On Display
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OVERVIEW
Time - Always On Display
2020 / ACADEMIC PROJECT / 2 WEEKS
Purpose
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OnePlus is looking for a new AOD that can visualize personal data, such as app usage, screen time, sunset/sunrise, and some other information.
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Each time a user picks up his/her phone, there is a sense of freshness. Users can also gain insight into their digital wellbeing and share their “encrypted” data images with others.
The Challenge
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How to display the selected information in a unique way that can be understood easily by users.
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Role: UX Researcher, UX/UI Designer
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Output: Always On Display Screen
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Methodology
​Design Approach: Design Thinking
Thinking Method: Primary research, Secondary research, Interview, Persona, User Journey Map, Prototype, Workflow, Visual Identity
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RESEARCH
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Understanding Gen Z for AOD Design
Gen Z seeks a new way to experience time when engaging with their devices. They value individual expression, avoid labels, and leverage the power of voice to address conflicts and create positive change. Analytical and pragmatic, they are influenced by trends in fashion, media, music, and gaming while favoring access over ownership. However, they often face choice fatigue across devices and screen types. To resonate with this audience, designs should emphasize ethical considerations, experiential activities, and seamless integration across digital platforms, enabling self-expression and reflecting their values.
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UNDERSTANDING
& IDENTOFYING
From the interview, I summarize the following features
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Merit
When & Where users need the clock
When I need to wait for a train/bus at the station
When I wake
up on the bed
When I on my
way school/home
Have a conversation
with someone
During a class / meeting
Right before a
class/meeting
Goal
Find out how much time I have left to finish/start something
To estimate how much time I need to spend on some common things
I want to sleep early
I need to know the time
Pain
What makes users frustrated
Can't customize the font
The number will cover the picture
I need some extreme personal time without message & notification
Can't customize the brightness
I wish my clock can be meaningful and special to me only
Key Words
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Current time
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Duration/left time
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Font/outlooking
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Easy to access
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Privacy
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INSPIRATION
With regard to Gen Z’s opinion on strong self-identity and their emphasis on self-display, I wanted to explore ideas that focus on customization and personalization.
I was greatly inspired by some normal behaviors in the life, and want to emerge these elements with the information, to let GenZ share their personal life as well as phone-usage through a lens of emotion and creativity.
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USER PERSONA
Brooke
Cagle
21
College student, TikTok Vlogger
He spends 11 hrs on the phone to shoot and edit videos.
He spends a lot of time on social media to connect career opportunities.
Use multiple Apps for inspiration.
Mahir
Uysal
25, Dancer
4 hrs on phone using.
Use social media to enlarge her art impaction.
Use phone for contacting, short video shooting/editing.
Her physical working squeeze her phone-using.
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FIRST
PROTOTYPE
Idea
Customize your tag and daily schedule. To make it special and meaningful to you.
Idea
The phone will learn your user behavior and
foresees a schedule for you in advance.
Idea
The phone will learn your user behavior and
foresees a schedule for you in advance.
Idea
The phone will mark down the time every time you unlock it, and the blurred marked time will build the "pressure" of current time.
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ELEMENTS
Based on the research from users' feedback, and onePlus's needs, I'm going to focus on the current time, phone usage period, sun-rise & sun-set, and difference.
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SECOND
PROTOTYPE
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FINAL CONCEPT
With this version, I keep the consistency of clean, simple, but interesting.
The concept is the "timeline". The looking of timeline is based on the using of your phone. Everyone is different every day, makes your days valuable.