Digital Detox feature for the HMD Skyline mobile phone. This innovative function lets users regain focus by blocking notifications or limiting access to selected apps entirely. A digital detox can come in many forms including powering off your smartphone for a few hours.
Context
I designed and conceptualised the Detox feature for the HMD Global mobile phone (Skyline), focused on encouraging healthier and more mindful digital habits. The experience was created to help users disconnect from constant notifications and screen time through a simple, and accessible interface. From early concept development to UX flows and UI design, the goal was to create a feature that supported digital wellbeing which can be use in an intuitive way.
Details
Time Frame: Sep 24-Mar 25
Role: Research, Concept & UX Design, UI Design, Art Direction (3D)
Feature (on phone app)
Involvement
The project involved extensive user research and insight gathering to better understand digital behaviours, screen-time habits, and the growing need for more mindful technology experiences.
Preselecting apps (social media, games etc) for to be locked. And a “view all” interface was important to me to make it as easy as possible for the user to activate the function. Working closely with the overseas team to ensure feasibility.
Inventing 2 levels of “locks” results in a variety of use cases. A quick route into the app was crucial so I placed shortcuts on the phone’s home screen as well as the settings top drawer.
I also led the art direction for the key visuals, helping shape the overall look, feel, and storytelling of the feature.
For phase two, we planned to develop a dashboard that clearly visualised data usage, with a strong emphasis on promoting positive and mindful digital habits. The user can also create a bespoke set of “modes”.
Dashboard
Note
Based on research presented in the HMD Better Phone Project.
Over a variety of live sessions, we spoke to several experts in the digital and mental health space on the impacts of social media and smartphones. These sessions, a part of HMD’s Better Phone Project, looked at varying ways smartphones are affecting the young people of today.