Google Smart Speakers
Redefining User Experience in Voice-First Interfaces
Smart speakers created an entirely new product category, teaching people worldwide to control their homes through voice alone. This presented a unique design challenge: creating compelling user experiences with virtually no visual interface—relying instead on audio cues, ambient lighting, and physical form.
Strategic Design for Emerging Technology
Leading UX for Google's speaker portfolio meant defining interaction paradigms for a medium that barely existed. I established design principles for voice-first experiences while coordinating across multiple disciplines—from audio designers crafting notification sounds to industrial designers shaping physical presence in homes.
Cross-Platform Experience Design
Developed media transfer features and speaker grouping capabilities that worked seamlessly across speakers, displays, and the Google Home app. This required creating mental models that users could understand across different interaction modes and device capabilities.
“There's never been a better time to flood your house with music, thanks to new Google speakers.”
— CNET
My role:
Lead end to end UX for Nest Mini and Nest Audio, including hardware and software experiences
Coordinate Interaction Designers, Audio Designers, Visual Designers, Motion Designers, UX Researchers and UX Engineers
Partner with Product Manager Lead to define Vision, Strategy and Roadmap for the Speakers portfolio
Drive implementation for Media features across Speakers, Displays and Google Home App, including media transfer between rooms and speaker groups creation
Defined personas and messaging for go-to-market strategies
Established design frameworks for voice-first interactions across the smart home ecosystem
