Level

Using the Level App on her mobile, a woman opens the front door of a beach house while still in the car.
Type
IoT Mobile App
Agency
Superhero Cheesecake

Level redefined the concept of 'smart' living with their innovative invisible smart locks. However, their accompanying mobile app didn't completely capture their visionary essence. We were tasked with redesigning it, aiming to create a seamless and deeply personal experience. Our goal was to make the digital interaction feel more tangible and find a harmonious balance between emotion and functionality.

Level App screenshot of the landing screen with a prominent button to lock or unlock the selected door.
A grey door with a gold Level Lock - Touch Edition installed.

Challenge

Most owners of a Level lock would set up a connection with Apple HomeKit or Amazon Sidewalk directly in the onboarding process. The app would then be primarily used to invite other people to their property, manage lock settings, or add extra hardware. As a result, the app had to be simple and intuitive, ensuring that these tasks remained straightforward even after a month of non-use. Additionally, there was a desire to elevate basic interactive UI elements commonly used by competitors and instead elevate the experience to an emotional level.

Onboarding

Starting with a first new lock involves a comprehensive journey encompassing various aspects. We concentrated on simplifying and shortening this process and achieved this by minimizing actions per screen and presenting aspects as optional if they aren't essential for initial setup. Throughout, our aim was to provide users with guidance, ensuring a seamless experience while managing their expectations wherever possible.

"Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, showing the step to enter a username."
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring the step to choose the type of lock for installation.
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring the option to add a personal photo of your home.
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring the installation guide.
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring the confirmation animation for the connection between lock and home.
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring the option to connect with a smart home app.
Level App screenshot of the onboarding process, featuring a step from the calibration flow.

Share and Add

To ensure that adding anything to your Level setup would be straightforward —whether it involves sharing access, incorporating new hardware, or setting up a new location — we introduced a dedicated 'plus' button on the home screen. This menu enables users to easily navigate through various essential workflows to achieve their goals.

Level App screenshot of share access menu.
Level App screenshot of the access sharing process, displaying a calendar for selecting specific days.
Level App screenshot of the access sharing process, showcasing the invitation screen for a pass.
Level App screenshot of add hardware menu.
Level App screenshot of the hardware setup process, featuring the option to configure a code for a keypad.
Level App screenshot of the settings screen displaying a personalized keypad code.
Role
User Experience Lead
Responsibilities
Research and Competitor analysis
Discovery & Co-creation workshops
UX Direction
Information Architecture
Full UX Design
Prototyping
Usability Testing

With Oana Bogdescu