— PROJECT NAME
enseoCONNECT Smartphone Remote UI
— ROLE
UI Direction & Design
— DATE
06/2019
Enseo had explored creating a phone remote for years before I joined, aiming to give hotel guests an alternative to the physical remote. I took the lead on UI development, focusing on simplicity and adaptability to each hotel’s TV system. My process included studying design trends, how people hold their phones, and thumb reach for one-handed use to shape the layout.
A major feature of enseoCONNECT was controlling lights, thermostats, and shades. I pushed for intuitive interactions like in-button scrolling for dimming lights and swiping for temperature adjustments. The result was a convenient, user-friendly alternative to physical remotes that became one of our best-selling products during COVID.
Dynamic. Branded. Personal.
enseoCONNECT allows hotel guests to use their phone to control the Tv and the room.
Case Study
Challenge
Previous efforts lacked good design, layout, and usability. The goal was to develop a mobile app that allowed hotel guests to control in-room TVs, connect devices, and manage smart-room features, all from their phone. The UI had to be simple, accessible, and scalable.
Approach
Analyzed mobile UX best practices, focusing on ergonomics (thumb reach).
Created wireframes and low-fi prototypes for quick iteration.
Designed consistent iconography and UI patterns across platforms.
Solutions
Explored multiple navigation approaches (tab bar vs. side menu).
Tested button placement for reachability.
Iterated on visual style to balance Enseo branding with hotel white-label options.
Personal Takeaways
This project deepened my understanding of mobile-first UX and how small layout choices directly affect usability in real-world contexts.
2020 HTNG TechOvation Award Winner. The TechOvation Award is judged not just on the technology of the product, but the video presentation and overall design direction.