ADT+ Product Research and Design
Purpose
Create the next-gen research-driven smart home security solution
Category
User Research, Product Design, UX, UI
Year
2021 (~6 months)
ADT+ Product Research and Design
Purpose
Create the next-gen research-driven smart home security solution
Category
User Research, Product Design, UX, UI
Year
2021 (~6 months)
ADT+ Product Research and Design
Purpose
Create the next-gen research-driven smart home security solution
Category
User Research, Product Design, UX, UI
Year
2021 (~6 months)
Legacy meets smart home
With over 150 years in home security, ADT partnered with Google in 2020 to bring Nest smart home technology into its ecosystem. Against this backdrop, AKQA worked with ADT to establish a research-led foundation and creative vision for the next generation of its DIY smart home security app. In a first step, an effective research and testing strategy was planned out to lay the groundwork of data for the design decisions to come.
With over 150 years in home security, ADT partnered with Google in 2020 to bring Nest smart home technology into its ecosystem. Against this backdrop, AKQA worked with ADT to establish a research-led foundation and creative vision for the next generation of its DIY smart home security app. In a first step, an effective research and testing strategy was planned out to lay the groundwork of data for the design decisions to come.
Insight-led program foundations
We ran an initial research phase with ADT, Google Nest, and competitor customers, combining in-depth interviews, click-through prototype testing, and a quantitative survey. Participants explored key areas of the app—including saved media, history, and settings—while the survey revealed what different user segments prioritized on the dashboard.
These methods surfaced clear, actionable insights, such as the need for saved media filtering, better event grouping in history, clearer settings labels, and greater dashboard customization.
We ran an initial research phase with ADT, Google Nest, and competitor customers, combining in-depth interviews, click-through prototype testing, and a quantitative survey. Participants explored key areas of the app—including saved media, history, and settings—while the survey revealed what different user segments prioritized on the dashboard.
These methods surfaced clear, actionable insights, such as the need for saved media filtering, better event grouping in history, clearer settings labels, and greater dashboard customization.
All notifications, one place
To untangle notification complexity in the Blue by ADT app, we ran an open card sort followed by a tree test. The research revealed four clear groupings for notification types and validated a simplified, single-hub information architecture within the main navigation menu as significantly more intuitive for both current and prospective users.
To untangle notification complexity in the Blue by ADT app, we ran an open card sort followed by a tree test. The research revealed four clear groupings for notification types and validated a simplified, single-hub information architecture within the main navigation menu as significantly more intuitive for both current and prospective users.
Where strategy meets craft
With a strong foundation of user insights, the team moved into focused concepting—designing 19 different feature experiences that made it easy to monitor and control home access on the dashboard, encouraged daily use of security features, improved the relevance and clarity of notifications, and much more.
In parallel, we explored two visually distinct directions informed by the existing Blue app and ADT’s evolving visual identity. Through critique, iteration, and refinement, the strongest concepts and visual elements were combined into a cohesive direction that advanced into final user testing.
With a strong foundation of user insights, the team moved into focused concepting—designing 19 different feature experiences that made it easy to monitor and control home access on the dashboard, encouraged daily use of security features, improved the relevance and clarity of notifications, and much more.
In parallel, we explored two visually distinct directions informed by the existing Blue app and ADT’s evolving visual identity. Through critique, iteration, and refinement, the strongest concepts and visual elements were combined into a cohesive direction that advanced into final user testing.
Testing that sealed the direction
For the final milestone, we validated the new concepts and visual design through an A/B prototype study, asking users to complete key tasks, like arming their system or creating an automation, in both the new ADT+ experience and the existing Blue by ADT app. The new concept clearly outperformed—driven by simpler bottom-bar navigation, surfacing of relevant events, user-friendly automation, and room-based device organization.
For the final milestone, we validated the new concepts and visual design through an A/B prototype study, asking users to complete key tasks, like arming their system or creating an automation, in both the new ADT+ experience and the existing Blue by ADT app. The new concept clearly outperformed—driven by simpler bottom-bar navigation, surfacing of relevant events, user-friendly automation, and room-based device organization.
Recap and outlook
By combining rapid, imaginative concepting with continuous user validation, we delivered a more intuitive and empowering product. Testing showed faster task completion and a stronger sense of control—and with a 4.8★ average across 36k+ App Store reviews for ADT+, the results speak for themselves.
By combining rapid, imaginative concepting with continuous user validation, we delivered a more intuitive and empowering product. Testing showed faster task completion and a stronger sense of control—and with a 4.8★ average across 36k+ App Store reviews for ADT+, the results speak for themselves.
Interested in working together on something great?
Interested in working together on something great?
Interested in working together on something great?
case studies
Amrize Coming Soon
Amrize Coming Soon
Amrize Coming Soon
AstraZeneca Coming Soon
AstraZeneca Coming Soon
AstraZeneca Coming Soon
© Christoph Friess 2026
© Christoph Friess 2026