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Gesture-Based Automotive UX
Cadillac set out to replace clunky in-car systems with a bold, touch-first, gesture-based experience — safe for driving, refined for a luxury brand, and visionary enough to reset industry expectations. I helped bring this vision to life through human-centered design, deep contextual research, and close cross-functional collaboration.
ROLE
User Experience Interaction Designer
SKILLS
Design Thinking, Contextual Inquiry, Gesture-Based Interaction Design, Automotive UX, Co-Creation, Wireframing & Prototyping, Visual Design, Information Architecture, Stakeholder Collaboration, Research Synthesis
CHALLENGE
Cadillac aimed to lead a major shift in in-car technology by introducing one of the first gesture-based infotainment systems to market. Designing for drivers came with unique constraints: motion, distraction, and the need for rapid interaction without sacrificing safety or brand elegance.
We needed to create a modern, intuitive interface aligned with the vehicle’s hardware and luxury identity, scalable for future releases, and natural under real driving conditions.
DISCOVERY & CO-CREATION
We began with deep contextual research, conducting ride-alongs in four cities to observe how drivers interacted — or avoided — existing systems. We uncovered frustration with fragmented inputs, cluttered screens, and inconsistent controls.
To ensure gestures felt natural and low-effort, we co-created solutions with engineers, industrial designers, and motion specialists, bridging hardware and software constraints early through sketching and iteration.
I participated directly in ride-alongs and in-vehicle testing, translating behaviors into personas and actionable frameworks, including:
Everyday Drivers — prioritizing ease and minimal interaction
Luxury Enthusiasts — expecting elegance and brand alignment
Power Users — seeking customization and advanced control
STORYBOARDS & INTERACTION FLOWS
I designed flows and screens that supported:
Glanceable gestures — swipes, taps, and proximity sensing for minimal distraction
Progressive disclosure — revealing depth only when needed, like proximity-activated menus
Motion-optimized hierarchy — keeping priority content front and center
Seamless digital-to-physical alignment — integrating UI and hardware controls with haptics, voice, and premium visual language
Visual and interaction choices reflected Cadillac’s brand identity, maintaining usability in a high-distraction environment while conveying luxury and innovation.
Affinity Diagram — Synthesized data from contextual inquiries into a clear framework of driver behaviors and needs.
Artifact Model — Created in Illustrator to document and visualize what drivers bring into their car, informing UI priorities.
Wireframes — Early center stack concepts sketched in charcoal to explore interaction on an unprecedented screen size for its time.
Final UI — The production-ready interface, released in 2013, showcasing a polished, branded experience aligned with Cadillac’s vision.
OUTCOMES & IMPACT
Working as part of a cross-functional team, I helped deliver a refined, production-ready interface that set a new benchmark for in-car UX.
Key outcomes:
✔️ Introduced one of the first gesture-based UIs in a production vehicle, redefining industry standards
✔️ Reduced driver friction and cognitive load through glanceable, responsive interactions
✔️ Pioneered a progressive, touch-first system combining voice, gesture, touch, and proximity sensing
✔️ Contributed to Cadillac’s long-term digital identity, influencing future infotainment standards
✔️ Recognized as a breakthrough innovation, featured at CTIA instead of an automotive event, signaling Cadillac’s tech-forward vision
This project delivered a human-centered, integrated experience that set a new benchmark for what in-car technology could feel like when designed for people first.
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