A smart HOME IS A healthy HOME

An energy company with an early lead in the smart home market asked us to help reimagine their approach after their portfolio, though promising comfort and efficiency, failed to resonate with the mass market. Our goal was to shift the focus from the technical aspects of smart home products to their emotional benefits—particularly how they contribute to a healthier, more energy-efficient home.

The Challenge

We collaborated with this company to explore how their smart home and connected products were being perceived. While the technology delivered as promised, users struggled to understand the personal benefits these products offered. Our challenge was to bridge the gap between the functionality of the products and the real value they add to everyday life. What do consumers truly need from smart home technology?

an impression of the product & design strategy

an impression of the product & design strategy

Vision

We transitioned from a technology-focused presentation to one centered on health and wellbeing. This required a deep dive into customer behaviors and practical experiences, which helped us identify genuine needs. We analyzed the entire customer journey to understand where and how to bring the ‘Healthy Home’ concept to life, ensuring that customers saw the smart home as more than just a collection of gadgets—it’s about enhancing daily life.

Don’t talk about the underlying technology but about the benefits in daily life

We recognized that a smart home product is more than just hardware. It encompasses the user interface, services offered, revenue models, and different ways people can use and customize the product. Together, these elements create the full user experience.

We shifted the narrative from "smart window blinds" and "Wi-Fi-enabled humidifiers" to a more relatable message: “We’re offering a better night’s sleep.”

Creating awareness with content

Solution

Based on the 'Healthy Home' concept, we developed a clear product vision and design strategy. This included visualizing the vision and testing design concepts to gauge their appeal with potential customers. We used a mix of qualitative methods (focus groups and user interviews) and quantitative methods (questionnaires and a pilot project centered on a baby room) to gather insights.

The feedback from testing prototypes and concepts revealed strong interest in using smart home products to create a healthier, more energy-efficient home. We also explored different revenue models and strategies for bringing these products to market, ensuring the approach aligned with customer expectations and needs.

Design concepts of the accompanying app

Landingpage to test the new proposition