Altor
12 Weeks
overview
Tradespeople often found the original app confusing, which sometimes led to false alarms or delays when accessing their tools. Our mission was simple but crucial: design an app that is intuitive, fast, and minimal, helping users secure their tools efficiently and confidently.
Challenges
Time and technical constraints meant we couldn’t run extensive user testing or prototype every possible feature. Figma’s limitations also forced creative workarounds for interactive elements. Despite this, we focused on the core interactions that mattered most, ensuring the app remained simple, practical, and reliable.
Research & Insights
We started by digging into the data. RACV research on tool theft highlighted the stakes for users, while Steven Hoober’s thumb-placement studies guided our interaction design. Interviews with tradespeople confirmed a strong preference for a clean, uncluttered interface that allowed them to get in and out of the app quickly. Competitor analysis further reinforced the need for minimal menus and clear visual hierarchy, showing that too much clutter frustrated users.
Outcome
The final design delivers a streamlined interface that prioritises rapid access to key features, particularly arming and disarming the security device. Iterative testing refined the home and history screens, improving flow and reducing cognitive load. We also proposed future features like multi-device management, hotspot notifications, and potential Apple Watch integration. The end result is an app that’s easy to use, functional, and aligned with both user needs and Altor’s brand.
Reflection
This project reinforced the importance of putting users at the centre of design. Even with constraints, research-driven decisions and iterative prototyping can lead to a solution that truly improves usability. Working closely with both users and the client showed how collaboration and feedback can shape an effective, practical product.