Smart Home · Tetiana Prätorius

From first launch to the right light.

The prototype · tap a step

iPhone · prototype

Control is not the same as comfort.

The idea

Smart home systems often focus on control and efficiency. Every brand ships its own app, its own logic, its own way to say "on".

This project explores a different approach: an interface that feels like part of the home itself. Soft visuals, ambient light and customisation create a sense of comfort and presence, whether you are on the sofa or on the train.

Renters and young familiesWant comfort without a manual. The home screen shows rooms, not device lists.
BeginnersEvery control is a familiar object: a lamp, a dial, a switch.
Power usersSchedules, exact values and per-device presets are one tap deeper, never hidden.

Five principles.

Design principles

Atmosphere over functionality
Frosted glass lies over the real room, so the interface feels like part of the house, not a control panel on top of it.
Soft and immersive visual language
Warm neutrals taken from evening light, rounded shapes, generous spacing. One accent colour, and it only ever means "on".
Emotional connection through light and colour
The device shows its own state: the lamp on screen glows exactly as bright as the lamp on the ceiling, and the beam takes the chosen colour.
Simple interaction, minimal cognitive load
One gesture per control. Every value shows where you are and where you are going: Now 15 °C, Goal 24 °C.
Customisable environment
Rooms, colour presets and schedules shape the home around the people who live in it.

Key interactions

From line to light.

Every screen starts as a thin-line layout: structure, hierarchy and gesture first. Then the light comes in.

Gesture-based control
Real-time feedback through light and motion
Seamless switching between devices

Home screen as a thin-line layout — Home

Smart Light screen as a thin-line layout — Smart Light

Smart Light screen, final design — Smart Light

Home Temperature screen as a thin-line layout — Home Temperature

Home Temperature screen, final design — Home Temperature

One calm interface, every surface in the house.

Interface overview

A unified interface that brings multiple devices into one calm, cohesive environment. The goal is not only to control the system, but to shape the feeling of the space.

iPhone showing the Smart Home home screen: rooms, music, smart light and alarm cards — **Phone**On the goQuick control and notifications. Cards are sized for one thumb.

Tablet on a wooden stand showing the dashboard with weather, temperature and lighting widgets — **Tablet on a stand**Kitchen, hallwayThe same cards in a wider grid, readable from a few steps away.

Wall dashboard

Wall dashboardLiving roomThe room blurs, the glass panel rises and widgets assemble in place: clock and weather, CCTV, security, Wi-Fi, lighting, air conditioner, temperature and the smart lamp.

Controls you already know how to use.

Anatomy

Two iPhones: Home Temperature dial at goal 24 °C and Smart Light at 64 % brightness

Arc slider: Follows the cone of light under the lamp. The thumb sits on the arc, the value sits inside it, large.
Now and goal on one dial: A small marker shows the current temperature, the big knob shows the target. The gap between them is the work the heating still has to do.
Device tabs: Device 1, Device 2: switch between lamps in the same room without going back.
Bottom bar: Home, light, climate, settings. The active section is the only lit icon.

A small, warm design system.

Colour · material

Ember#FD7E44 · on

Cream#F6EDE3 · active card

Latte#9E7859 · glass

Walnut#6D5444 · glass deep

Umber#3B2920 · shadow

Teal#488A8F · cool light

GlassFrosted panels over the photo of the room, with a hairline edge.
Ember means onToggles, the active climate icon, alerts. Nothing decorative.
Objects over iconsLamps, dials and album art carry the state themselves.
Motion as feedbackValues count up, the beam changes colour, cards assemble on load.

What the release version adds.

Scope for v1

Core flowsHome by room, light with brightness and colour, temperature with schedule, alarm, music, Wi-Fi.Designed

Three surfacesiPhone, tablet on a stand, wall dashboard from one component set.Designed

Device statesOffline device, pairing in progress, low battery, update available. Each card needs a quiet and a loud version.Next

First runA home with no devices yet: add a room, scan for devices, name them.Next

AccessibilitySolid panels when Reduce Transparency is on, text contrast checked on the lightest glass, Dynamic Type up to XXL.Next

StandardsMatter support so devices from Apple Home and Google Home appear without a separate setup.Next

Adaptive environment.

Light · colour · space

The interface adapts to the space through dynamic backgrounds, light and colour. It becomes part of the environment, not just a tool for controlling it.

From first launch to the right light.

Control is not the same as comfort.

Five principles.

Atmosphere over functionality

Soft and immersive visual language

Emotional connection through light and colour