Overview
Context
Research
Process
Product
Impact
In Production
In 2021, Stellantis announced the development of its very first all-electric vehicle platform, Stella Large. Spanning across multiple brand portfolios, the Stella Large Platform required a modular digital instrument cluster design that homologated core software but allowed for unique brand experiences.
Our task was to develop a universal, digital instrument cluster interface that can be implemented into all future vehicle programs built on the new Stella Large Platform. We were challenged to craft a core user experience, interaction model, visual structure, and content strategy that could be applied to vehicles that ranged from all terrain explorers to all-electric racing machines.
Role
Core UX Designer, Interaction Designer
Timing
Jan 2021 - Sept 2024
Tools
Figma, Adobe Suite, Blender, VRED
Instrument clusters are evolving, Stellantis has to get ahead.
Traditionally characterized by physical gauges, light bulbs, and analog dials, the driving-centric user interface is in its infancy as a digital experience. Most previous Stellantis dashboard designs included a hybrid between physical gauges and digital LED displays. These solutions were designed as on-off solutions with little to no cross-brand unity or standardization.
Research
In order to receive buy-off for a complete cluster re-design, we had to pitch an informed design strategy. We decided to conduct multiple research activities including a synthesis of legacy feedback, a card sort, and competitive analysis. The findings from this research allowed us to create succinct design pillars that we based a majority of our decision making around.
Methods
Constraints
Pre-Designed Hard Controls
A majority of hard controls (namely steering wheel buttons) were already established and at design freeze when we adopted this project. We had to design an interactive experience with an existing button layout.
Solution
We negotiated with interior teams to remap legacy buttons to perform new functions that supported our interaction strategy.
Interior Obscuration
Each vehicle interior adopting our cluster was designed with different shaped steering wheels, dashboards, and screen sizes. We lost up to 30% of usable screen real estate from the steering wheel and driver monitoring camera obstructing the driver’s view.
Solution
Stay in consistent contact with the ergonomics team to gather the latest interior design of each program. Develop a hierarchy of importance for feature visualizations. Place components of high importance in zones the least likely to be obscured.
Regulatory Requirements
Every design decision was affected by NHTSA, EU, CAAM, and all other global automotive governing bodies. I had to adhere to minimum size/design requirements for ISOs (icons) while also ensuring functional grouping and proper spacing.
Solution
I built a Figma asset library that allowed me to tokenize minimum size requirements for specific visual components. We conducted weekly meetings with our regulatory officers and contributed to deliverable checkpoints in which every design was checked for compliance.
Goal
Process
Our process began with building a basic framework and information architecture. After months of internal investigation and building connections with the right stakeholders, I was able to start building the screen layouts that users could select. I started by grouping feature information by basic function and importance of use. I then populated all the feature content into their respective categories with a focus on balance, hierarchy, and harmony.
Functional grouping
Content mapping
Wireframe
Final Design
Customizing your cluster layout shouldn't require a degree in human factors engineering. Customers wanted an intuitive way to adjust their layout based on their driving habits. The "Layout" button is a one-button press toggle that allows the driver to cycle through up to 5 different driving layouts. This interaction was imperative to allowing brands flexibility and autonomy in their design. Brands can use core components to build their own layouts for unique driving experiences. Dodge chose layouts inspired by it's rich heritage in racing and performance while Jeep chose layouts that optimize the off-roading experience.
Less Noise
Legacy solutions included 50+ menu items across 12 different menu categories. We reduced menu bloat by over 50% by consolidating feature information into 6 categories and no more than 20 menu options. The user can navigate menus using the 5 way controller.
Intuitive Interaction
The user can now navigate menu categories horizontally, which is more consistent with other familiar digital interactions on web and mobile apps.
Perhaps the most complex and challenging feature of a driver display is the visual representation of telltales and ISOs. These icons all carry strong regulatory requirements and have unique behavior based on the features they apply to. We prioritized three goals when creating the telltale layout: regulatory compliance, functional grouping, and bulb-check positioning.
Over 1000 unique vehicle messages needed to be accounted for across all vehicles adopting our new framework. In previous executions, messages took over the entire display, causing major distraction and overlap on fundamental driving information. In order to improve this experience, I built two message zones strategically placed in locations that would not overlap on core info or be obscured by the steering wheel or cluster shroud. These messages included space for icons, images, or animations depending on the needs of each unique feature.
Implementation
After over a year of concept development, testing, and validation, I handed off our new cluster concept to our brand UI designers for final implementation. Every vehicle presented unique challenges that I supported for the next two years.
2025 Wagoneer S
2025 Dodge Charger Daytona
2026 Jeep Cherokee