Ski-Doo Gauge Redesign
Design Methods
Sketching Ideation
Explored multiple layout concepts to understand how each element could support the riding experience—especially in harsh weather where visibility and reaction time are critical. Quick sketching helped test information density, visual hierarchy, and sightline behavior while imagining the vehicle in motion.
Component Library
Built a purpose-driven component system shaped by functional constraints, brand identity, and extreme-weather visibility principles. Every element was crafted to remain legible through glare, vibration, and rapid light changes, ensuring consistency across all gauge states.
Motion Prototypes & Interaction
Introduced motion to simulate the true feel of the machine—mirroring engine ignition, transitions, and feedback patterns riders expect on a Ski-Doo. These prototypes allowed stakeholders to experience the cluster as a living interface, not just static screens, aligning the digital behavior with the physical personality of the vehicle.
Design Principles
Visibility
Riders face everything from blinding sunlight to swirling snow, and in those moments, information can vanish instantly. Key elements like the compass and fuel level needed to survive those extremes, so I amplified them with Ski-Doo’s brightest accents—making sure they always cut through the weather.
Contrast
Not every piece of information needs to shout all the time. Some cues should always stand strong; others only need to flare up when the rider needs them. By tuning contrast deliberately, the interface knows when to speak quietly and when to demand attention.
Prioritization
Information hierarchy was established through controlled adjustments in scale, chromatic weight, and spatial placement. Critical indicators were positioned within the rider’s primary visual cone and optimized for rapid glanceability, reducing cognitive load during high-speed operation.
On Brand
Even with all the functional demands, the cluster still needed to feel like Ski-Doo. The motion, the attitude, the signature color energy—they give the interface a familiar identity riders recognize instantly. The goal was clarity, but without losing the spirit of the machine they love.
Component Library
Each component’s shape combines analog cues with modern digital geometry, softened by subtle ski-inspired contours. This creates an interface that feels both technically precise and deeply connected to the Ski-Doo riding experience.
Motion, The Machine Wakes Up!
There’s a unique moment when you turn on a Ski-Doo—the machine wakes up, the engine hums, and you’re reminded why you chose it. The animation was crafted to honor that moment. Gentle, confident transitions highlight the power coming to life and give the rider a small emotional reward before the ride even begins.
