GM Modular Pvt Ltd designs and manufactures innovative home automation and electrical solutions, including smart switches, security systems, and connected devices that enhance convenience, safety, and modern living.
How might we simplify the G-Secure authentication experience (a smart home entry system by GM Modular that uses biometric and password-based access via a connected mobile app) to reduce user frustration, build trust, and improve reliability between the app and device?
The Design Challenge
Manager
Aakash Maurya
My role
Product Design Intern
Timeline
May - Aug 2022 (12 weeks)
Tools
Figma/ Figjam
Adobe XD
Miro
Google Suite
Skills
Design Research, User Flow Diagramming, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Interface Design, Usability Testing
About the Service
OVERVIEW
Problem
GM Modular's G-Secure system was losing user trust due to a frustrating multi-step entry process, high support ticket volume around password resets, and unreliable app-to-device connectivity—resulting in a 20% drop in customer retention.
Goal
Redesign the G-Secure user experience to streamline entry, reduce authentication friction, and create a more reliable app-device ecosystem that restores user confidence and increases retention.
G-Secure security system integrated with AI technology experienced a 20% user drop-off within 90 days of launch, originally thought to be caused by a complex entry flow and inconsistent app performance.
User interviews conducted by my team and support data revealed concerning pain points.
RESEARCH + VALIDATION
We interviewed 70+ users across corporate and residential settings to uncover key needs and pain points with G-secure.
PAIN POINTS
G-SECURE AA C 401
GM KONNECT APP
CORE PILLARS OF THE PRODUCT
Based on qualitative research insights, our team uncovered three key pillars that consistently shaped user expectations—these now guide our product design and ongoing iterations.
SOLUTION
Task 1: Fingerprint Unlock
Before
After
Hypothesis :
Users will feel more confident using biometric unlock if the process is visually clear, reliable, and communicates system feedback in real-time.
Strategy :
Streamline the fingerprint verification flow to reduce uncertainty, eliminate visual clutter, and reinforce system trust through clear scanning cues and status indicators.
Design Solution:
Simplified the interface with a focused fingerprint icon and real-time “Scanning…” feedback to reduce confusion and improve trust. Added essential action icons for quick access.
Before
After
Task 2: Keypad Unlock
Hypothesis :
Simplifying keypad access and reinforcing visual confirmation will reduce user errors and speed up task completion, especially in time-sensitive scenarios.
Strategy :
Eliminate intermediate steps and make the keypad immediately accessible with responsive visual cues, hierarchy that confirm successful entry.
Design Solution:
Streamlined the flow by showing the keypad immediately with larger buttons and clear unlock feedback, reducing delays and entry errors.
Before
After
Task 3: Face Unlock
Hypothesis :
Users are more likely to adopt face unlock when the system provides real-time alignment cues and dynamic visual feedback during scanning.
Strategy :
Enhance clarity by guiding the user with on-screen prompts, and ensure the feedback loop reassures users about scan progress and success.
Design Solution:
Introduced a circular frame with alignment prompts and scanning progress to guide users clearly and build confidence during face verification.
SOLUTION
GM KONNECT APP
Dashboard / Home Overview
Centralized access to lighting, security, temperature, and energy usage
Design Decision
Transformed a basic device list into an interactive dashboard with visual tiles, contextual info, and quick toggles—prioritizing control, awareness, and personalization, while enhancing clarity and actionable insights at a glance.
Design Decision
The device-adding flow shifted from a basic icon list to a modern card-style layout with toggles for smart assistant integrations and room-based navigation—improving affordance, clarity, and system feedback.
Device Setup Hub
Connect and organize smart devices by category or room
Profile & Settings
Manage account, preferences, and app settings
Design Decision
I reorganized and renamed settings under clear categories, introduced icons for better scannability, and emphasized hierarchy using contrast and modular card layouts in the final iteration.
Smart Control & Automation
Create routines and control devices by room or condition
Design Decision
Replaced static card layout with a dynamic control interface using progressive disclosure, contextual grouping, and system status affordances—enhancing task efficiency, cognitive clarity, and enabling deep interaction through detail-rich device views.
We set goals for users and the product respectively to solve user problems while aligning with business needs..
Goal
USABILITY TESTING
Along with the research team, I tested the new design changes—streamlined entry flow, biometric login, and improved iconography for sync indicators—with a group of target users across residential and corporate settings.
Users responded positively to the updated experience, noting it felt significantly faster and more intuitive—with task completion time reduced by nearly half during testing sessions. Corporate users appreciated the reduced login steps, which minimized entry delays during peak hours, while residential users reported increased confidence in the system’s reliability.
The visual feedback for sync status helped eliminate confusion, and most users completed the flow without additional guidance—validating the clarity and effectiveness of our design decisions.
FINAL DESIGN
Throughout the design process, I explored multiple alternatives for the authentication flow, entry steps, and device-sync indicators. Each component went through several iterations based on user feedback to ensure the experience was intuitive, efficient, and built user trust at every touchpoint.
TAKEAWAYS
Listening to Users & Learning from Their Behavior
Before and after redesigning key features of G-Secure, we prioritized user interviews, usability testing, and support data analysis. Listening closely to both residential and corporate users helped us uncover real-world friction points—like lengthy entry flows, unreliable sync, and authentication frustrations. Every round of feedback shaped our design direction and validated whether our changes were actually solving the right problems. Rapid iteration based on user input became a core part of the process.
Design decisions were made hand-in-hand with developers and the project manager. We aligned early on technical constraints, timelines, and user needs—ensuring that our ideas were feasible, scalable, and met real user expectations. Continuous communication helped streamline the handoff and build a shared understanding of what a "great experience" looked like for G-Secure users.
Collaboration Across Teams
Personal Growth as a Designer
Owning the entire design process—from user research to prototyping and testing—taught me to think beyond aesthetics. I learned to balance user needs with business goals, make data-informed decisions, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams. This project pushed me to grow not just as a designer, but as a problem solver and product thinker.
