Pioneer os
A rugged OS system for a rugged vehicle.
(Client)
Subaru
(Year)
2022
1 Month
(Services)
UX/UI Design, OS Design
Project
overview
Introducing the Pioneer OS: a rugged system built for the wild side.
Designed with backcountry explorers in mind, the Pioneer OS is a rugged and intuitive operating system tailored for drivers of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness. With advanced terrain alerts, elevation warnings, and smart 3D mapping, it equips adventurers with the confidence to venture off the beaten path safely and boldly.
Problem
The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was made for outdoor exploration, but off-road conditions often present unpredictable challenges such as steep inclines, rough terrain, and harsh weather to name a few. Drivers need an onboard system that provides real-time feedback on elevation, terrain hazards, and environmental changes so they can navigate safely and with confidence.
hypothesis
By developing a user-friendly dashboard UI that warns drivers of elevation changes, terrain obstacles, and weather conditions, we can enhance safety and preparedness on every off-road journey.
We’ll know this to be true through positive user feedback, increased driver confidence, and a boost in sales for the Subaru Outback Wilderness due to this advanced in-vehicle experience.
personas
Through qualitative interviews and user research, we crafted two personas representing individuals searching for a vehicle that meets both their adventurous lifestyle and practical needs. These personas helped guide the development of a dashboard experience that is intuitive, reliable, and tailored to the demands of off-road driving.
lauren a.
ben b.
“Knowing the terrain to come is important to keeping my car in good shape. Having a dashboard that can tell me what’s ahead could help me take better care of my car overall.”
Lauren is an avid adventurer and uses her cars to trek through different kinds of terrain all around the country. She frequently drives up into the mountains and off-roads with her friends. Because of this, Lauren is on the lookout for a new car that can handle the changes in elements seamlessly and with a clear warning.
“I always worry when I’m swapping through the apps on my other car's dashboards. Having a phone call come in is always a source of stress!”
Ben just got a new job in Los Angeles that requires a lot of driving and a lot of time on the phone. With his current vehicle, Ben often worries when clicking through the different dashboard options to answer and complete calls, and switch between music and podcasts. The buttons can be too small and complicated to find, and he feels his eyes are off the road for too long.
Needs:
Needs:
Dark and light modes to help with glare
Terrain mapping for outdoor travel and off-roading
Easy to access phone buttons
Dashboard customization for favorite apps
Pain Points:
Pain Points:
Not knowing road conditions
Glare during different times of day on dashboard
Overly complicated screens and lack of customization
Infamous LA traffic
Style tile
Reflecting Subaru’s identity through color and type.
The visual language of Pioneer OS draws from Subaru’s bold, dependable brand. I chose cool blue tones inspired by their existing logo and Outback Wilderness emblem to maintain cohesion.
For typography, I paired Subaru’s iconic OPTIEdgarBold with clean, modern variations of Helvetica Neue to balance ruggedness with clarity.
High
fidelity
Visualizing Subaru’s next-generation driving experience.
The high-fidelity screens bring the Pioneer OS to life. Informed by user feedback, the core pages focus on functionality, safety, and clarity. While the initial framework is solid, future iterations will expand to include more features as we continue to evolve the dashboard system alongside driver needs.
welcome screen
home screen
When the vehicle starts, drivers are greeted with a welcome screen. A simple tap leads directly into the customizable dashboard experience.
The home screen is designed with modular widgets that allow drivers to tailor the interface to their preferences. Options include navigation, weather alerts, terrain warnings, 3D mapping, vehicle diagnostics, and music, ensuring everything needed is just a glance away.
vehicle overview
terrain view
This screen provides a comprehensive view of the car’s performance and condition. Drivers can manage connected devices, monitor tire pressure, check mileage and fuel range, and adjust internal temperature with ease.
The terrain screen offers a detailed 3D rendering of surrounding elevation and topography, paired with real-time updates on tire pressure, speed, and climate. It's designed to empower drivers with the spatial awareness needed for challenging routes and rugged trails.
terrain Light Mode
To improve accessibility, Pioneer OS includes a light mode option for all screens. Colors are optimized for visibility and can be customized to meet each driver’s preferences and comfort levels.
prototype
To demonstrate the dashboard’s functionality, we created a fully interactive prototype offering developers, drivers, and stakeholders a clear sense of how the system looks, behaves, and supports off-road driving. Give it a spin and see if the Pioneer OS is the next step in your journey.
Pioneer os
A rugged OS system for a rugged vehicle.
(Client)
Subaru
(Year)
2022
1 Month
(Services)
UX/UI Design, OS Design
Project
overview
Introducing the Pioneer OS, a rugged system built for the wild side.
Designed with backcountry explorers in mind, the Pioneer OS is a rugged and intuitive operating system tailored for drivers of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness. With advanced terrain alerts, elevation warnings, and smart 3D mapping, it equips adventurers with the confidence to venture off the beaten path safely and boldly.
Problem
The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was made for outdoor exploration, but off-road conditions often present unpredictable challenges such as steep inclines, rough terrain, and harsh weather to name a few. Drivers need an onboard system that provides real-time feedback on elevation, terrain hazards, and environmental changes so they can navigate safely and with confidence.
hypothesis
By developing a user-friendly dashboard UI that warns drivers of elevation changes, terrain obstacles, and weather conditions, we can enhance safety and preparedness on every off-road journey.
We’ll know this to be true through positive user feedback, increased driver confidence, and a boost in sales for the Subaru Outback Wilderness due to this advanced in-vehicle experience.
personas
Through qualitative interviews and user research, we crafted two personas representing individuals searching for a vehicle that meets both their adventurous lifestyle and practical needs. These personas helped guide the development of a dashboard experience that is intuitive, reliable, and tailored to the demands of off-road driving.
lauren a.
ben b.
“Knowing the terrain to come is important to keeping my car in good shape. Having a dashboard that can tell me what’s ahead could help me take better care of my car overall.”
Lauren is an avid adventurer and uses her cars to trek through different kinds of terrain all around the country. She frequently drives up into the mountains and off-roads with her friends. Because of this, Lauren is on the lookout for a new car that can handle the changes in elements seamlessly and with a clear warning.
“I always worry when I’m swapping through the apps on my other car's dashboards. Having a phone call come in is always a source of stress!”
Ben just got a new job in Los Angeles that requires a lot of driving and a lot of time on the phone. With his current vehicle, Ben often worries when clicking through the different dashboard options to answer and complete calls and switch between music and podcasts. The buttons can be too small and complicated to find, and he feels his eyes are off the road for too long.
Needs:
Needs:
Easy to access phone buttons
Dashboard customization for favorite apps
Dark and light modes to help with glare
Terrain mapping for outdoor travel and off-roading
Pain Points:
Pain Points:
Overly complicated screens and lack of customization
Infamous LA traffic
Not knowing road conditions
Glare during different times of day on dashboard
Needs:
Dark and light modes to help with glare
Terrain mapping for outdoor travel and off-roading
Needs:
Easy to access phone buttons
Dashboard customization for favorite apps
Pain Points:
Not knowing road conditions
Glare during different times of day on dashboard
Pain Points:
Overly complicated screens and lack of customization
Infamous LA traffic
Style tile
Reflecting Subaru’s identity through color and type.
The visual language of Pioneer OS draws from Subaru’s bold, dependable brand. I chose cool blue tones inspired by their existing logo and Outback Wilderness emblem to maintain cohesion.
For typography, I paired Subaru’s iconic OPTIEdgarBold with clean, modern variations of Helvetica Neue to balance ruggedness with clarity.
High
fidelity
Visualizing Subaru’s next-generation driving experience.
The high-fidelity screens bring the Pioneer OS to life. Informed by user feedback, the core pages focus on functionality, safety, and clarity. While the initial framework is solid, future iterations will expand to include more features as we continue to evolve the dashboard system alongside driver needs.
welcome screen
home screen
When the vehicle starts, drivers are greeted with a welcome screen. A simple tap leads directly into the customizable dashboard experience.
The home screen is designed with modular widgets that allow drivers to tailor the interface to their preferences. Options include navigation, weather alerts, terrain warnings, 3D mapping, vehicle diagnostics, and music, ensuring everything needed is just a glance away.
vehicle overview
terrain view
This screen provides a comprehensive view of the car’s performance and condition. Drivers can manage connected devices, monitor tire pressure, check mileage and fuel range, and adjust internal temperature with ease.
The terrain screen offers a detailed 3D rendering of surrounding elevation and topography, paired with real-time updates on tire pressure, speed, and climate. It's designed to empower drivers with the spatial awareness needed for challenging routes and rugged trails.
terrain Light Mode
To improve accessibility, Pioneer OS includes a light mode option for all screens. Colors are optimized for visibility and can be customized to meet each driver’s preferences and comfort levels.
prototype
To demonstrate the dashboard’s functionality, we created a fully interactive prototype offering developers, drivers, and stakeholders a clear sense of how the system looks, behaves, and supports off-road driving. Give it a spin and see if the Pioneer OS is the next step in your journey.
Pioneer os
A rugged OS system for a rugged vehicle.
(Client)
Subaru
(Year)
2022
1 Month
(Services)
UX/UI Design, OS Design
Project
overview
Introducing the Pioneer OS: a rugged system built for the wild side.
Designed with backcountry explorers in mind, the Pioneer OS is a rugged and intuitive operating system tailored for drivers of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness. With advanced terrain alerts, elevation warnings, and smart 3D mapping, it equips adventurers with the confidence to venture off the beaten path safely and boldly.
Problem
The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was made for outdoor exploration, but off-road conditions often present unpredictable challenges such as steep inclines, rough terrain, and harsh weather to name a few. Drivers need an onboard system that provides real-time feedback on elevation, terrain hazards, and environmental changes so they can navigate safely and with confidence.
hypothesis
By developing a user-friendly dashboard UI that warns drivers of elevation changes, terrain obstacles, and weather conditions, we can enhance safety and preparedness on every off-road journey.
We’ll know this to be true through positive user feedback, increased driver confidence, and a boost in sales for the Subaru Outback Wilderness due to this advanced in-vehicle experience.
personas
Through qualitative interviews and user research, we crafted two personas representing individuals searching for a vehicle that meets both their adventurous lifestyle and practical needs. These personas helped guide the development of a dashboard experience that is intuitive, reliable, and tailored to the demands of off-road driving.
Lauren A.
“Knowing the terrain to come is important to keeping my car in good shape. Having a dashboard that can tell me what’s ahead could help me take better care of my car overall.”
Lauren is an avid adventurer and uses her cars to trek through different kinds of terrain all around the country. She frequently drives up into the mountains and off-roads with her friends. Because of this, Lauren is on the lookout for a new car that can handle the changes in elements seamlessly and with a clear warning.
Needs:
Dark and light modes to help with glare
Terrain mapping for outdoor travel and off-roading
Pain Points:
Not knowing road conditions
Glare during different times of day on dashboard
Ben b.
“I always worry when I’m swapping through the apps on my other car's dashboards. Having a phone call come in is always a source of stress!”
Ben just got a new job in Los Angeles that requires a lot of driving and a lot of time on the phone. With his current vehicle, Ben often worries when clicking through the different dashboard options to answer and complete calls and switch between music and podcasts. The buttons can be too small and complicated to find, and he feels his eyes are off the road for too long.
Needs:
Easy access to hone buttons
Dash customization for favorite apps
Pain Points:
Overly complicated screens and lack of customization
Infamous LA traffic
Style tile
Reflecting Subaru’s identity through color and type.
The visual language of Pioneer OS draws from Subaru’s bold, dependable brand. I chose cool blue tones inspired by their existing logo and Outback Wilderness emblem to maintain cohesion.
For typography, I paired Subaru’s iconic OPTIEdgarBold with clean, modern variations of Helvetica Neue to balance ruggedness with clarity.
High
fidelity
Visualizing Subaru’s next-generation driving experience.
The high-fidelity screens bring the Pioneer OS to life. Informed by user feedback, the core pages focus on functionality, safety, and clarity. While the initial framework is solid, future iterations will expand to include more features as we continue to evolve the dashboard system alongside driver needs.
welcome screen
When the vehicle starts, drivers are greeted with a welcome screen. A simple tap leads directly into the customizable dashboard experience.
Home screen
The home screen is designed with modular widgets that allow drivers to tailor the interface to their preferences. Options include navigation, weather alerts, terrain warnings, 3D mapping, vehicle diagnostics, and music, ensuring everything needed is just a glance away.
vehicle overview
This screen provides a comprehensive view of the car’s performance and condition. Drivers can manage connected devices, monitor tire pressure, check mileage and fuel range, and adjust internal temperature with ease.
terrain view
The terrain screen offers a detailed 3D rendering of surrounding elevation and topography, paired with real-time updates on tire pressure, speed, and climate. It's designed to empower drivers with the spatial awareness needed for challenging routes and rugged trails.
terrain light mode
To improve accessibility, Pioneer OS includes a light mode option for all screens. Colors are optimized for visibility and can be customized to meet each driver’s preferences and comfort levels.