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Gold Interface · 2024

MG Next Generation Companion App

by Star and Saic Oimt

  • Golden A' Design Award 2024 in Interface
  • CLIENT: SAIC Overseas Intelligent Mobility Technology Co., Ltd.
  • Estimated Number of Design Views: 51,941
  • Verification code C95DAF46D4 · Verify this award
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About MG Next Generation Companion App

MG Next Generation is a companion application for car owners, made for mobile phones and smart watches. The application brings several regional applications together into one global product. Features can be adjusted by location and by vehicle model, so each owner receives a personalized set of tools. A three-dimensional car model is shown inside a virtual garage, and hexagon widgets follow the brand identity. A guest mode allows people without a car to explore the main features before making a decision.

About the Golden A' Design Award

MG Next Generation Companion App is a Golden A' Design Award winner, an immensely prestigious recognition granted to first-rate, marvelous, and outstanding designs. Golden winners are exceedingly innovative, visionary, and glamorously dazzling creations that reflect the prodigy, wisdom, and prowess of their designers. MG Next Generation Companion App is expected to be a highly praised, trendsetting, and monumental invention that delivers unprecedented value. This Golden A' Design Award-winning design is a spectacular, respected project that highly benefits and advances the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. MG Next Generation Companion App creates intense feelings of desire, evokes passion, encourages creativity, and fascinates us.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
The MG app is a mobile and watch companion for car owners. Our main objective was to create a more holistic mobile experience by integrating existing apps from various markets into a unified global application. The new app aims to boost the adoption of companion devices, allowing users to customize features based on their location and specific vehicle model, delivering a personalized experience.
Tags
mobile, apple watch, 3D, car, automotive, companion app, design system, EV
Production Technology
We aimed to mimic real car experience digitally using a 3D model, giving users a real sense of their vehicle on their screens. We placed the car in a virtual garage inspired by futuristic and sci-fi concepts.
We adopted a clear black and white palette, with hints of metallic and vibrant orange for contrast. Elevating surfaces and visual effects added tangible materiality to the interface, intensified by fluid animations and interactions that emulate real-world functionality.
Hexagon widgets, echoing MG's logo, maintain coherence and reinforce the brand's identity.
Design Challenge
We've segmented users into two distinct groups: car owners and non-owners. Each group has unique informational needs and preferred functionalities.
For car owners, access is provided to a customizable My MG screen, offering swift vehicle control along with personalized features and essential data.
Non-owners utilize a guest mode to preview key features and gather information about MG cars. This mode enables potential buyers to explore the advantages of informed decision-making.
One of the significant challenges faced by the client was managing separate regional apps, leading to maintenance issues and limited scalability. In response, we executed a comprehensive revamp of the app's design approach to address this issue.
Research
Our team thoroughly analyzed vehicle-related apps, identifying market trends, strengths, areas for improvement, and potential innovations. We employed card sorting exercises to grasp user navigation preferences, collaborating with the client team to prioritize features aligning with business goals. Utilizing insights from these exercises, we crafted an interactive prototype showcasing 8 core use cases. Testing this prototype with car owners worldwide uncovered usability issues and app pain points. Leveraging these insights, we refined and improved the app's design to meet user expectations, ensuring a seamless and satisfying experience.
Inspiration
To address the scattered UX complexity present across multiple MG apps, our team developed a unified app using a modular approach. This design empowers users to customize features according to their location and specific vehicle model, delivering a personalized experience. The reimagined structure now incorporates all pre-existing functionalities, guaranteeing clarity, predictability, simplicity, scalability, and substantial value for both users and the business.
Project Duration
up to 6 month, China
Operation Flow
Incorporating real-life patterns and metaphors makes the design clear and intuitive. We based the placement of frequently used functions on user research and ergonomic principles, ensuring easy accessibility. Feedback from validation sessions led to refinements for more clear controls. Careful attention was given to the first-time experience to assist users in binding the car and exploring features. Furthermore, we introduced a guest mode, enabling potential buyers to explore the app's advantages for more informed decision-making. Finally, the watch app offers essential features precisely when users need them.
Image Credits
Star

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