Gizmo/Neo Kids' Smartwatch

Creating Magical, Character-Themed User Interfaces for Young Audiences

The Verizon Gizmo Smartwatch (Vodafone "Neo" in Europe) is a kid-friendly wearable designed to keep families connected and kids entertained. Packed with safety features, GPS tracking, and fun interactive apps, it’s a perfect blend of functionality and play.

The challenge

Disney’s kids' smartwatch showcases beloved characters, requiring unique, themed UI designs to captivate its young audience. Spanning 22 characters and nearly 800 animations from iconic brands such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel, the project was a massive undertaking. After a division split, I inherited the project from previous designers and became the sole designer responsible for learning its intricate moving parts, adapting the UI framework, and carrying it through to completion. The goal was to deliver visually distinct, cohesive, and interactive experiences for each character—balancing usability, brand consistency, and the needs of young users and their parents across both the US and EU markets. Adding the final character-themed UI marked a significant milestone, reflecting a challenging but rewarding journey that required independent problem-solving and adaptability.

My role

As the lead designer on this project, I was responsible for:

Customizing the UI for multiple Disney characters, ensuring each theme resonated with its character’s personality and story.
Tailoring the design to fit within the pre-existing user flow and screen structures.
Partnering with Verizon and Vodafone to make sure our assets were tailored to their needs.
Balancing playfulness with functional clarity to align with the young user demographic.

Process & approach

Understanding the Existing Framework

Studied the foundational UI and user flows to ensure any adaptations aligned with the overarching design system.
Collaborated with the product and branding teams to clarify constraints and opportunities for customization.

Design Customization for Each Character

Adapted core UI elements (e.g., colors, buttons, icons) to reflect the distinct personality and aesthetic of each Disney character.
Introduced character-specific elements like unique backgrounds, animations, and themed widgets to enhance engagement.

Iterative Design Refinement

Worked within technical constraints of the smartwatch platform and custom requirements from Verizon and Vodafone while adding creative flair.
Delivered multiple iterations for review, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and ensuring brand fidelity.

Outcome

Successfully launched a series of visually engaging, character-themed interfaces that delighted users and met branding and usability standards.
Enhanced the playfulness and appeal of the smartwatch, contributing to its success among young users.
Showcased my ability to adapt pre-existing frameworks creatively, bridging the gap between technical constraints and user delight.

Reflections

This project was a rewarding opportunity to exercise creative problem-solving within an established framework. Inheriting the work midstream after a division split, I took on the monumental task of learning its many moving parts and carrying it through to completion. As the sole designer, I managed the intricate process of adapting and finalizing the framework that would host 22 unique character themes and nearly 800 animations. This experience reinforced my ability to tackle large-scale challenges independently, tailoring designs to diverse themes while ensuring usability, brand consistency, and a polished final product.