Michael DeVries

Design Work

As I worked hand in hand with the handset usability validation team, I often had the opportunity to discuss UI design concepts. In this case, I was approached about the design of the keyboard for the LG Rumor2. Key design activities included:

• Provide direction on the user experience of the handset. While the QWERTY allows at least the less savvy texting user to more easily communicate, handsets overall still lacked support of emotional communication through the use of emoticons. My direction and design recommendations put focus on this core user need. Specifically, we grouped the symbols to support current standard keyboard design groups as well as quickly creating emoticons. Quickly creating an emotion was supported by grouping symbols that are commonly used to create eyes, noses, and mouths. Over time, the symbol locations are learned and more easily accessed.
• Collaborate with the LG and Internal team to understand keyboard limitations and obtain design feedback.
• Incorporate key findings from research and knowledge of telecom user current behaviors and expected use scenarios.

• The Sprint LG Rumor2 launched on March 15, 2009.
• A design patent and functional patent were submitted, but unfortunately, not accepted. There are many reasons why this happens, but that does not mean that the concept is not unique. See my Pats and Pubs page for more details.

• Trending experiences
• Analysis of complex keyboard interactions
• Multi data type synthesis (usability data, hardware design trends, competitive intelligence, heuristic review)
• Patent descriptions