The Main Idea Behind It
This project began with a design exploration of a vehicle interface that’s simple to produce, tech-ready, and driver-friendly. Sparked by debates between digital minimalists and fans of tactile controls, it draws inspiration from 2010 Jeep models with their straightforward UX, as well as the sleek media systems of Mercedes and BMW. The goal: achieve more with less.
Early Concept & Prototyping
The idea evolved into a prototype, starting with a rough Figma draft aimed at testing whether all vehicle controls could fit into the concept. After several iterations, the UI was refined into a two-level interface operable with a simple knob. Built using Figma’s variable features, the prototype proved functional enough for testing.
User Testing
Testing was the fun part, aiming to simulate real-world conditions as closely as possible. We gathered valuable feedback from a diverse group of users, including both manual and automatic gear enthusiasts, as well as male and female drivers.
Designing HiFi
Since the results were promising, the idea continued to evolve. The next step was to apply a visual design—skeuomorphic styling was chosen to create an interface that feels instantly familiar to any driver.
Creating the Concept Car
At this stage, the scope expanded even further. Since the UI concept wasn’t aimed at high-end luxury cars, the focus shifted toward designing for a modern interpretation of a vehicle well-known in Eastern Bloc countries — the LuAZ-969, a rugged workhorse built for military and rural use.
Case Study Webpage
The final part of the project involved creating a webpage to showcase the outcomes and the ideas behind them. It features an overview of the LuAZ Hoomac, a case study of the DriveCore UI, and key insights into the MotionTwist physical control. Some essentials of the Hoomac branding was covered as well.
Tools used
Prototyping
HiFi Design
Visualization
Creating Copy
Consulting
Supportive Graphics
