The car configurator project we were given the task to come up with enhancements to the car configurator on both desktop and mobile devices. The adaptions and new components were created in agreement with the biggest european Mazda markets that then could be rolled out within all european markets.

The tasks were usually combined with a pre phase consisting of qualitative research and a competitor analysis. User groups and stories helped us to lead the way to the right ideas and approaches that were iteratively enhanced and tested until the final aproach was the peak of our performance.

Below you will find a selection of topics I worked on during this project. 

Summary

The target was to create a summary page of the configuration that gives the users all the information that they need easily understandable and in a more editorial manner in both a printable and digital version. To not lose a possible contact possibility to important customers a very prominent "Next best action bar" helps the user to get all the possible actions at hand. We also included add-on sales areas that offered the user products that fit their configuration perfectly to make the exploration phase even more personal. 

Layers

We revised and edited the whole layer structure within the car configurator. This might seem like a no-brainer, but considered the fact that a configuration is a very complex procedure within the given structure of possible configurations and also depending on formerly made choices, this was more than only beauty work. 

We wanted to offer the user the easiest possible overview to detailed information, prices and selection methods. Neccessary up- and downgrades are no longer shown with an overload of information but focus on information that are important to make choices. 

Filter

To enable users with little knowledge about the brand and its car lines to make better and easier choices and thus spare them time, a filter mechanism was introduced.

The user is invited to use the filter on the model overview page to find a car that actually fits his needs without going through the whole configuration process. Some easy choices like Engine, Transmission, Drive Train and Price, the user filters not only car lines but also subconfigurations. 

The choices are then imported into the configuration, so that the user can still adjust his choices without having to jump back. 

Connection between content and configurator

To make the configurator a helpfull tool for the user we also had to look out for opportunities to introduce them to the cars and their options without having them to actually go all the way into the configuration but rather giving them an easy access and starting point. 

To do so we included a module within the showrooms that let users play around with the available colours and interior options. From there on the users were able to either continue scrolling through the showroom or to jump right into their configuration.