Cover more-info dialog

[matthiasdebaat]

The more info screen of covers deserves a lot of love. The upside-down slider only works for some device classes. For others, it makes little sense, and can even be seen as misleading

Context

• Discord discussion

Ask

• Design the next iteration of the Cover more-info dialog and its different device classes
• Make sure you validate any assumptions
• Share progress and ask for feedback

[matthiasdebaat]

For inspiration, please check the screenshots by Motionblinds in this Figma file.

[laupalombi]

I had been thinking about this topic too - I would love if we let the person tell us if this device is a curtain, a cover etc. maybe even picking from 4-5 things and then the movement is represented like in Motionblinds. Without knowing motorblinds UI I was going in the same direction too.

The reasoning is - its going to be hard to really represent something that can go in any axis of movement, in one or two directions, and make something that resonates to everyone.

But I'm not a designer, so I'll leave this comment and leave :P

[mbb365]

I love that you're looking into this!

I also have been thinking about this problem from the other end - the purpose of blocking something.

We are (generally) moving an object in front of another to block something. But, that action is usually designed to block light.

A person looking into this may want to think about...
What effect does it have on the immediate area?
& What affect does it have on the immediate area?
What does the action fundamentally 'do' and why is someone doing it?

For example, a legitimate concept could be indicating how much of the object behind the 'cover' you want to block out. Or, how much of it you still want to see. So, rather than showing how much of the cover is shut, you display how much it is effecting the area (light).

I agree with @laupalombi s reasoning. If having 4 - 5 digital representations of physical motions, then maybe it has to be just that.

[matthiasdebaat]

I have the same thought: show the orientation based on where the “thing” is moving from. The cover domain is climate or security focused. For example, a curtain that moves from the left, or a garage door that drops down from the top. We could start with an abstract version, with an improved interface for tilting.