Brownthought Academy
Brownthought Academy
Who we are
Who we are
On Demand
On Demand
What We Do
What We Do
Handy Tools
Handy Tools
Client Work
Now (Revival)
Resurrecting an AI tool killed by Google
Role
Product Designer
What I did
Product Design,
User Research, Information Architecture, Handoff
Team
Ivan Melnikov
Fullstack Engineer
Timeline
48 hours
Tools
Figma
Notion
Canva
Kotlin
Context
This project aimed to breathe new life into Google Now’s card system, a once-pioneering interface designed to surface timely, contextual information. While backend logic and data infrastructure were already in place from engineering, the experience layer needed to be reimagined through the lens of clarity and adaptability. Our goal was to craft an interface that embodied intelligent interaction: capable of delivering meaningful insights without demanding attention.
The Problem
The original card system had grown visually outdated and cognitively cluttered, lacking the design to effectively convey its value. While it had the potential to deliver proactive, glanceable insights, its structure lacked clarity, hierarchy, and responsiveness to user context. Without a cohesive framework to guide how different types of information should be displayed, prioritized, or grouped, the experience felt inefficient and disjointed.
Okay… so what did you do?
I redefined the visual and interaction framework for the card system, translating the theory of backend logic into a more instinctive and refined interface. My work focused on establishing a clear visual hierarchy, elevating glanceability, and making interactions feel more instinctual. Throughout the process, I collaborated closely with engineering to ensure alignment between design intent and system capabilities to craft an experience that made proactive information feel natural and not noisy.
Outcome
Phase 1 successfully established the foundation for a more thoughtful, context-aware card experience. Through the design of two high-fidelity cards and a flexible UI system, I addressed key challenges around visual interaction, instinctual interaction, and adaptability — creating a scalable model for intelligent information delivery. The principles and frameworks developed in this phase will inform design decisions as the product evolves in Phase 2 and beyond.
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