My role:

User research / Internal Audit of all Linksys software | Design | Illustration | Documentation | Design socialization and cross-collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, ID, and Marketing teams.

SITUATION:

User research revealed that the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Device List (see below image), a dashboard view of connected network devices, was static, boring, and felt outdated. User sentiment indicated this feature provided little value in a view that was meant to display their network at a glance.

GOAL:

Designed a device-centric control interface in Linksys Smart WiFi, enabling users to view and manage network devices, monitor features and usage, and receive actionable status and notifications.

PROCESS:

This was a fairly quick iteration because I had previously designed a Network Map for Network Magic Pro back in the day. I drove all design iterations and worked cross-functionally with Engineering and Product Management through implementation

• UX research

• Design iteration

• Design socialization

• Cross-functional collaboration

RESULTS:

• Network Map feature - presented the router as the center of the network as a control hub with all connected network devices associated around it.

• Released a Notification system that provided clear, decisive calls-to-action for network devices and Linksys Smart Wifi software services.

• Enabled visibility of device’s current connected status

• Enabled a Right-click menu for device-specific actions

• Provided filtering capabilities for connection type (2.4 or 5.0 band) and device type (make, model)

• Designed photo-realistic device icons for network map personalization.

• Internet Usage/Bandwidth usage feature - provided visibility into what device(s) or service(s) were consuming the most bandwidth, and the ability to manipulate and set consumption thresholds through Media Prioritization.

• Over time, we covered full support Belkin WeMo devices and all third-party integrations.

• Over time, we covered full support Belkin WeMo devices and all third-party integrations.

“Network Map… it’s a quick, easy way to get an overview of your network topology.”

- Samara Lynn - PC Magazine

SITUATION:

Linksys was looking to gain attention to its substantial wireless AC innovation, which provided faster wireless routing speeds and greater network bandwidth to support the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) evolution. Looking to the nostalgic WRT54G-series router released in 2002, Linksys released the WRT1900AC nod to its open-source community, and incorporating the latest in 802.11AC wireless technology as a significant performance upgrade.

I didn’t work on the router, but I worked on the setup software, setup guides and illustrated all related WRT1900AC artwork.

GOAL:

Reinvision the legendary Linksys WRT brand, and introduce a high-performance AC router with enhancements to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi and the option for OpenWRT (open-source Linux technology).

PROCESS:

• Device and wiring diagram illustration

• Quick Instal Guide (in-box) device setup documentation

• Device setup software design

• Design socialization

• Cross-functional collaboration with Product Management and Device ID teams

RESULTS:

• Re-release of the Linksys WRT brand and the WRT1900AC.

• Redefine the end-to-end UX. The entire experience was finely groomed - from the New and improved industrial design with massive throughput

• Reimagined marketing and in-store presentation, and unboxing experience, through device setup

• Linksys Smart Wi-Fi updates and advanced capabilities only available on the WRT routers.

“Not surprisingly, the WRT1900AC has an easy and friendly user interface, one that Trusted Reviews calls "the most intuitive router UI.”

- engadget

GOAL:

Revised branding on all Linksys products, interfaces and related printed collateral.

This was a cross-functional collaboration with various teams to exchange the old Linksys product branding with the new Linksys logo. The list of products that needed the update was long, but included desktop and mobile router management interfaces, all setup software, printed setup guides and all related device illustrations for all hardware products.