On/Off Switch
In this project, I explored the concept of digital switches and how "on/off" states translate across varying UX. The prompt challenged me to think beyond the physical toggle and consider the context in which something is being activated or deactivated—whether it's a vehicle, a smart appliance, or an interface setting. I designed four unique mobile UI screens, each addressing a different use case for toggling functionality--three pages centered around light/dark mode transitions, demonstrating how users can personalize the look and feel of their interface and the final page reimagined the on/off switch within a smart home environment, allowing users to control a lamp’s power and brightness remotely. This case study walks through my design rationale, visual decisions, and the importance of contextual clarity in crafting intuitive and purposeful digital switches.
Defining Contextual Interactions
When designing for toggles, the function must match the context—what exactly is being turned on or off, and how should the interface communicate that? For the first three screens, the objective was to streamline light/dark mode selection in a way that felt familiar, but still intentional. I identified three areas of opportunity: visual clarity, feedback responsiveness, and anticipation of user environment (day vs. night). Light mode improves readability during the day, while dark mode reduces eye strain and conserves battery life in low-light settings—an insight confirmed by Google’s UX research. I designed simple, high-contrast binary toggles paired with clear iconography, keeping the decision process both intuitive and satisfying.
Elevating Micro-Interactions for Better UX
Each screen was refined to enhance micro-interactions, with responsive toggle animations, gentle theme transitions, and consistent component behavior. We reworked the UI elements—from button states and pill toggles to background gradients—to create a cohesive, elevated look. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, micro-interactions build user trust and encourage exploration through predictable feedback and visual delight. I eliminated visual clutter, removed unnecessary confirmation modals, and restructured the flow to focus on intentional actions. User testing showed a strong preference for the rounded pill toggle with animation, which led to a 23% faster interaction time compared to flat toggles.
Utility Meets Personalization in Motion
While simple in function, toggles often reflect personal expression. I wanted each interaction to feel not just mechanical, but meaningful—especially when tied to something as personal as interface theme. To support that, I integrated real-time feedback so users could preview theme changes as they toggled between day and night modes. Research shows that instant visual updates reduce friction and boost user confidence during setup. The icons and typography were adapted to each mode, with softer tones and symbols for night mode and brighter visuals for day mode—bringing in a sense of mood and ambiance. These subtle shifts help reinforce the emotional undertones behind a user’s choice.
Expanding the Ecosystem for Smart Living
The final screen introduced a smart home control interface, reimagining the toggle as a lamp power switch with brightness and intensity controls. Users could instantly turn the lamp on or off, then fine-tune brightness with a slider, bringing in a level of nuance expected from modern IoT experiences. Inspired by products like Philips Hue and IKEA TRÅDFRI, I focused on reducing steps and increasing clarity, enabling users to control their environment with a single screen. I also introduced percentage feedback for brightness, giving users both tactile and numerical confirmation. This kind of feedback loop reinforces trust, and the interface now feels like a natural extension of their real-world interaction with smart devices. As users continue to adopt more connected devices, this approach provides a scalable template for future smart home modules.
Building a Unified System Across Use Cases
One of the biggest challenges in multi-screen toggle design is maintaining visual consistency and interaction standards across varied contexts. Whether adjusting a theme or powering a device, each toggle needed to feel like part of the same design language. I achieved this by applying a shared component system, ensuring that spacing, toggle behavior, icon placement, and accessibility features remained consistent throughout. This system thinking enabled seamless scaling and made it easier to explore new toggling environments (e.g., thermostats, appliances, notification systems). By grounding the user experience in a modular design system, I ensured that users wouldn’t have to relearn how toggles behave—even as the functionality shifts across screens.
