Ok, Zoomer:
A Launcher That Makes Smartphones Feel Human for Older Adults
TL;DR:
Designed for users who didn’t grow up with swipes. Redesigned an Android launcher in 2 weeks to reduce digital friction for older adults.
Result: 82% task success, 95% felt more confident using their phones.
Project Info:
Role: UX Designer
Timeline: 2-week sprint
Platform: Android
Focus: Accessibility-first design for older adults
Challenge:
Smartphone complexity often sidelines older users.
My goal: build a launcher that’s intuitive, stress-free, and empowering, without compromising core functionality.
Research & Discovery:
Key Question:
How might we help older users navigate smartphones with ease and confidence?
Methods:
User interviews (ages 28–63)
Accessibility audit (AAA standards)
Competitive/OS analysis
The Biggest Take Aways:
Large buttons, minimal flows, and visual clarity built trust
80% wanted to learn more, overwhelm, not apathy, was the blocker
Users weren’t tech-averse, just buried under cluttered UX
Personas:
James (Primary)
Bio and Demographics:
Age 60, married with 3 kids
Retired on pension
Not technologically savvy, has shakey hands
Scenario:
James got an iPhone from his kids. He wants to see them more often, but struggles to use Facetime. He ends up calling them on his phone instead.
Anna (Secondary)
Bio and Demographics:
Age 37, married with 1 kid
Parents are in their 60s and live in another state
Works as an engineer
Scenario:
Anna’s parents call her at work when she can’t talk. She has tried to teach them how to text, but they feel more confident calling her. Anna believes they are too proud to ask her to explain it again.
Comparative and Competitive Analysis:
To ensure the best possible solution, I analyzed existing operating systems and launchers, identifying gaps in usability and accessibility.
Below is a chart that shows what operating systems and launchers were available at the time of my sprint.
Why an Android Launcher?:
Platform Choice: Android for its deep customization potential
Design Anchors:
High contrast UI
1–2 tap workflows
Familiar iconography and large touch targets
Inspiration: Nokia block layouts + Windows 10 tactile UI
Prototyping Path:
Started with quick paper sketches to map user flows, then built lo-fi wireframes to validate navigation. Iterated into mid-fi mocks for layout testing, and finalized with a high-fidelity, fully interactive Figma prototype for usability testing and stakeholder review.
Sketched paper flows → lo-fi wireframes → mid-fi mocks → high-fidelity Figma prototype
Outcomes:
82% Task Success: Observed in usability tests, users completed core actions unaided.
95% Confidence Boost: Captured via pre/post-test surveys using a Likert scale.
80% Curiosity to Learn More: Reported in exit interviews post-session.
By removing clutter, clarifying calls to action, and making every tap intentional, we gave older adults not just a better interface, but a sense of independence.
Reflections:
Accessibility isn’t compliance, it’s empathy. A small launcher redesign unlocked real confidence and independence for older adults.