Experience FLOW
/
Optimizing Lumea
for Asian Female Users
Project: Lumea 5000 Series
Brand: Philips
Year: 2021
#UserExperience #ExperienceFlow #Safety #Caring #Beauty
Philips Lumea 5000 Series project is a pivotal milestone as the first local-for-local hair removal device developed specifically for the Chinese market. In addition to responding to the growing demand for hair removal solutions, this project also navigates new regulatory requirements introduced by China in 2023, which mandate that hair removal devices fulfill medical product certification (NMPA).
The key focus of this project is to ensure the user experience throughout the entire hair removal process feels safe, caring, and easy to use. It aims to understand user needs, creating a product that not only provides effective hair removal but also reassures users by prioritizing their safety and comfort during the experience.
Through the experience flow analysis, we can better identify areas of improvement that directly influence how users feel during their interaction with Philips Lumea, ensuring that they feel caring, user-friendly, and safe. These insights will be central to the product’s design and user experience decisions moving forward.
Based on the insights gathered from the experience flow, we have outlined four key design exploration goals:
1. Gentle & Secure Handheld Experience:
Ensure a comfortable, easy-to-hold device that provides a secure and gentle feel during use.
2. Centralized UI Touchpoint Objective:
Simplify the interface by consolidating all user interactions into a single location.
3. Optimized Ventilation for Cooling:
Ensure efficient heat dissipation without compromising the handheld experience.
4. Clear Mode Indication (Auto vs. Manual Lighting):
Enhance user understanding of the device's modes by offering clear, intuitive indicators.
During the ideation stage, we simultaneously explored the creation of the architecture platform. Designers collaborated closely with suppliers, Philips in-house engineers, and the R&D team to review and refine the platform based on design objectives. This involved optimizing key aspects such as ventilation structure, button and indicator light placement, heat dissipation, flash output positioning, sensor integration, PCBA layout, and power cable routing to ensure a well-balanced and efficient architecture.
Finalized form features a rounded, softened, biomorphic shape, which not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also physically and cognitively embraces comfort. This design approach ensures that the device feels intuitive and comfortable in the hand, while the smooth, organic curves enhance the ergonomic experience.
The design inherits the "tech and touch" beauty product identity, blending innovation with user-friendly comfort. The upper part features a gently curved surface that enhances the tactile experience, exuding a sense of comfort and ease. Meanwhile, the perception of confidence and professionalism is conveyed through clean, tightly tensioned lines, complemented by a metallic finish at the outlet position.
The surface is compartmentalized by a creased line structure, strategically placed to prevent the user's hand from touching the vent zone. By keeping the hand away from the heat-sensitive areas, it improves the safety of the product and provides users with a more comfortable and secure experience.
The design features an integrated user interface that allows for seamless one-handed operation.
By consolidating all touchpoints into a single, intuitive race-track interaction zone, users can easily navigate settings and flash-levels with just one finger.
Unique track-shaped inlet slot design effectively enlarges the area of air intake, ensuring optimal ventilation. This design prevents the inlet function from being obstructed even if the user’s finger inadvertently covers the top of the inlet grill, enhancing the overall performance and experience while ensuring safety and comfort.
Collaborating closely with the R&D team, we addressed the waterproofing challenges by redesigning the outlet grill position and adding an inner blocking structure. This modification was essential in meeting the IP22 standard, ensuring the device is protected against harmful dust ingress and that it can withstand water splashes from any direction up to a 15-degree tilt.
For the UX/UI part, we used flow chart to map out the user journey and ensure seamless usability. By creating detailed flowcharts, we were able to visualize the user's interactions with the device step by step, ensuring that each action was intuitive and efficient. The goal was to create a smooth and satisfying experience for the user, where every touchpoint was carefully thought out to enhance convenience and accessibility.
The lighting indication design efficiently serves two key functions:it clearly signals the different flash modes, and it provides real-time feedback from the intelligent skin detection system.
his reassures users that the device is adjusting to their skin tone, ensuring both safety and personalization. Additionally, users can easily switch between auto and manual flashing operations by simply pressing the upper buttons. This intuitive design provides a seamless user experience, giving the user more control and flexibility while maintaining confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the device.
We also designed the adaptor to align with the same design language as the main device, ensuring a cohesive look and feel across all components. The adaptor follows the rounded, soft biomorphic form, with smooth, comfortable curves.
For the CMF, we explored various directions to better understand and meet the expectations of Asian female consumers. Our research led us to focus on a refined and elegant color palette, with a combination of soft, neutral tones and premium pearlescent finishes. The pearlescent finishes were chosen for their ability to reflect light softly, enhancing the overall visual appeal and adding a touch of luxury while maintaining a user-friendly and approachable feel.
The final product successfully went into mass production and was launched in 2024, achieving NMPA certification. It received very positive feedback from users, with many appreciating its effective performance and the thoughtful design that ensured both safety and user comfort.
