Niko
User Research for Zigbee Puck
Context
User research and field testing for a smart home product in prefab and renovation contexts
Niko was developing a new line of Zigbee-based mini modules ("pucks") for smart lighting control. I was brought in to validate the product with real users and uncover where it fit best — renovation, prefab, or new-build contexts.
Challenges
The use cases weren’t clearly defined yet.
Target users had mixed knowledge of smart tech.
Product form factor and installation flow raised concerns.
Positioning was too generic for market needs.
Industry
Smart Home / IoT
My Role
UX Designer / Researcher
Platforms
iOS, Android and Desktop
Focus
User research, prototyping, product validation
What I Did
Conducted interviews and installation tests with 13 participants across 9 companies.
Focused on 3 personas: installers, engineers, and business decision-makers.
Identified practical barriers: tight space, safety concerns, and unclear onboarding.
Mapped when and where these modules actually made sense (e.g. behind switches or in false ceilings, not at lamps).
Collected input on programming flows, preferred onboarding methods, and UX of the configuration software.
Delivered clear product recommendations, including form factor changes and per-segment messaging (renovation, prefab, etc.).
Results
The research helped Niko define where the mini modules offered real value.
It informed hardware changes (e.g. smaller size, snap-free version, safer connections).
It led to improved software flows and clarified how to market the product per building type.
Internal teams used the results to steer both **product design and commercial positioning**.
Notes
This was hands-on research that made a direct impact. What I liked most was how quickly insights turned into clear design and business decisions. It was also satisfying to test both physical and digital touchpoints side by side.