PROJECT 04
AMC App Concept
Project Prompt / 01
Reintroduce, modernize, and update the defunct American Motors Corporation by designing an app for electric vehicle users.
Solution / 02
This mobile app allows electric vehicle drivers to plan road trips and eliminate range anxiety by preselecting stops. Along with the app comes a rebrand of the American Motors Corporation (AMC) and a design system.
Background research
The American Motors Corporation was an independent automaker founded in 1954. They focused on producing small and affordable cars for the average American. It was most widely known for its eclectic design work. Although it experienced a fair amount of success, it was ultimately unable to compete with the Big Three, and was acquired by Chrysler in 1987.
Logo and Branding
I researched the evolution of the American Motors Corporation logo and decided that I wanted to give a nod to the original logo that was designed in 1954. This way I could give it a modern upgrade while still preserving recognition for the company's original customers. Using this new logo design, I defined the usage guidelines in my design system.
Wander / design system
I used these branding guidelines as a starting point for the development of my design system: Wander. My goal was to craft UI elements that would allow for efficiency and consistency while designing the mobile electric vehicle experience.
mobile app designs
The AMC app has two major functions: browsing destinations and planning trips. The home screen is designed for organized browsing, where the user can view their planned trips, recommended destinations, and destinations they have saved for later. The internal screens guide users through planning a trip or editing stops on an existing one.
This project was completed in a series of design sprints, and I ended up changing the direction of this design pretty drastically about halfway through.
sprints 01 & 02
Originally, I wanted to give the app a 70s aesthetic with a modern twist. I wanted it to pay homage to the history of the company while providing an innovative experience for the modern user.
sprint 03
During the 3rd sprint, about halfway through the timeline of the project, I decided to completely change the visual style of the app. I felt that this style just wasn't working with my idea and the goals that I wanted to accomplish. The idea of the app itself is innovative and focused on solving a modern problem, so I felt that the style should emphasize that.
Final Designs
Once I was confident in the new direction of the app, I completed designing the rest of the screens that I would need for my final prototype. Again, the app has two major functions: browsing destinations and planning trips.
TAKEAWAY
My biggest takeaway from this project is that it's okay to start over sometimes. Often times, if I've spent a long time on a design, I'm resistant to changing it. I ended up being extremely proud of the final outcome of this project, and I probably wouldn't have felt the same way if I kept on my original path.
