Before "connected hardware" was a common term, Contour created one of the first action cameras. The problem? The camera had no screen and only three buttons, forcing users to connect to a computer to change any of the settings, a non-starter in the field. The challenge was to solve this by creating one of the first-ever connected camera and mobile app experiences.
As the Lead of Product and Design, I was responsible for the entire product ecosystem, from the camera's firmware and on-device feedback to the connected iOS and Android apps, web experience, motion graphics, and even packaging concepts.
"One of the best people I ever hired at Contour"
Founder & CEO, Contour
Product Strategy: A Unified Roadmap
Previously, hardware and software releases at Contour were often disconnected and not thematic. As the product lead, I created and owned the entire product release ecosystem, mapping out a unified roadmap for hardware, software, mounts, and firmware. By aligning our releases with the seasonality of sports, we ensured a more cohesive and impactful product ecosystem for our users.
Software Release roadmap
Hardware/Software release alignmemt
The Visual System: A Unified Product Ecosystem
Our goal was to create a cohesive brand experience that felt consistent everywhere a user interacted with Contour. The visual language was designed to be bold, energetic, and clear, reflecting the action sports brand. It established a consistent use of typography, color, and motion that worked across the website, mobile apps, and even packaging.
The Execution: The First Connected Viewfinder
The centerpiece of the solution was the connected mobile app, which acted as a remote control and real-time viewfinder for the camera. This was a massive design and product effort, requiring me to map out all camera functions, on-device feedback (lights and audio feedback), and the complementary controls within the iOS and Android apps, all while working with our firmware engineers to make it a reality.
Motion Graphics
This work also extended to defining the brand's motion graphics for product videos and marketing materials. Below is a storyboard of keyframes from a product animation, designed to bring a consistent energy and feel to the brand's visual storytelling.
The Outcome
One of the first app-connected camera platforms.
Delivered a seamless, unified experience across hardware, firmware, and mobile apps.
The camera hardware itself went on to win a prestigious Red Dot design award.
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