2019 | Cync
Cync Smart Switches
The goal was to create a new line of Cync Smart Switches that are not only simple, universal and intuitive to use, but friendly and approachable to both the everyday users and their guests. In our research we found that even with all of the flexibility and functionality a smart switch provides, they have to do one thing first, foremost, and flawlessly… they have to be a light switch.
Team Credits: Mason Hall, Tom Stimac, Hongbin Xu, & Logan Wanner of GE Lighting
Mike Tracz, Gabe Puerto & Jon Morgan of BALANCE.
The circular ring was created as the key to the Cync lighting experience. The ring not only functions as the on/off switch, but also brings a sense of unity, togetherness, humanity and familiarity across all of the Cync products. If all you see and interact with is the glowing ring, you will be able to enter or leave a room safely and efficiently as it acts as a beacon, lighting your way in the dark. Spend time with the switch or the app, and you will discover the possibilities to shape your space through the tone and brilliance of light - the last piece of the puzzle to making a space your own.
The form of the switch blends into the flat plane of the wall, only reaching out far enough to be noticed. The scalloped cuts in the form reveal key interaction areas presenting the full functionality of the switch with or without light or sight. The layout and hierarchy of the interface components places the most important features of the switch at your fingertips, while maintaining a visually simple aesthetic that aims to blend in with a range of home decor. The physical buttons are as large as possible, highly tactile, and perform only one function making it easy for both young, old, experienced or novice, to engage with.
A home has many rooms and they are not all created equal. The Cync products consider multiple contexts of use- whether it be the easily cleanable gloss finish for the kitchen environment, or the soft glowing built-in pathway light for the dark bedroom or hallway.
VISUAL BRAND LANGUAGE (VBL) DEVELOPMENT
With the design of Cync's Smart Dimmers & Switches, Balance helped to define & build the foundation and framework for Cync's Visual Brand Language. This set of physical brand guidelines has served to help define the physical experience of all future Cync products.
