INQ

The Project:

INQ embarked on a project to design and produce their own mobile phones, complete with their proprietary operating system and hardware. My role in this venture was as the lead designer, tasked with the challenge of designing the next-generation operating system (OS). This OS was envisioned to seamlessly integrate news and social networks into the user experience, offering a unique mobile device.

The Process:

• UI Design Using Photoshop: The initial phase of the project involved utilizing Photoshop to create UI examples based on design inputs. These examples served as a visual representation of the proposed user interface, allowing for a clearer understanding of the design direction.

• Collaboration with the Tech Team: Working in close collaboration with the technical team, we embarked on the development of the OS using HTML and CSS. This cooperative effort aimed to bridge the gap between design concepts and functional implementation.
• Pivoting Towards App Production: Midway through the project, INQ made a strategic decision to pivot from producing their own mobile devices to focusing on app development. This shift in direction altered the project’s scope and objectives, leading to adjustments in our design and development approach.

Final Thoughts:

• First Experience Designing a Mobile OS: This project marked my first foray into designing a mobile touchscreen-based operating system. It presented a unique challenge, requiring a deep understanding of usability principles and the ability to work within technical constraints inherent to mobile device development.
• Success with ‘Material’: Despite the project’s transition from hardware to software, the app that emerged from our efforts, known as ‘Material,’ achieved some level of success upon release. This outcome highlighted the adaptability and resilience of the team in navigating changes and delivering a product to the market.

In conclusion, the INQ project represented a dynamic journey that shifted from designing mobile hardware and an operating system to pivoting towards app production. This experience underscored the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances within the tech industry. It also marked a significant learning opportunity in the realm of mobile OS design and usability.