Before/After Redesign: Revamping an IoT App Home Screen for Elderly Users

Tech · 5 min read

The original home screen had dense controls, small tap targets, and an icon-heavy layout that confused older users. During remote usability sessions, participants struggled with ambiguous icons and had trouble recovering from mis-taps. Accessibility issues compounded frustration and reduced daily active use among the 60+ demographic.

The redesign increased type size, introduced high-contrast CTA buttons, and restructured the screen into a primary action strip and a secondary status panel. We replaced ambiguous icons with labelled buttons, enlarged tap targets, and added a persistent 'undo' affordance for recent actions. Voice shortcut suggestions and a simplified quick scene builder were included for common routines.

Usability testing showed a 40% improvement in first-time task success and fewer support calls about accidental toggles. Accessibility audits improved from AA to near AAA for contrast and legibility. The project reinforced that simple, labelled controls and robust error recovery are essential when designing for older adults.