ColorOS is a customized operating system developed by OPPO. It is based on Google's Android OS and is designed to provide a unique user experience for OPPO smart devices.
Aquamorphic Design
I managed several projects for ColorOS 13 (Aug in 2022) as a product designer and OS 14 (Oct in 2023) as a product manager for global partnerships, working closely with stakeholders in HQ, the business development team, and developers.
The Blossom Wallpaper is ColorOS' new take on people's increasing need for effective digital well-being tools and high-level device personalization. After our previous experiences building digital well-being features like Zen Mode, Insight AOD, and apps like the WellPaper, the team takes a step forward to create the first digital well-being live wallpaper for both flat-screen and foldable screen devices. This live wallpaper helps users better understand and manage their digital lives by visualizing their current screen time and individual app usage in an ever-changing leaf design.
I created mood board with another product designer based on the Aquamorphic design concept.
Key words: Elegant, Abstract, Comfortable, Surreal, Organically growing
After internal discussion, we picked the third concept, 'Lives in water', but wanted to be more abstract.
The main data point to which the wallpaper responds is the user’s daily screen time. The more time the user spends on their devices, the more growth there is in the leaves. The user can define a time limit for themselves that they hope to avoid exceeding on their phones. The default value we provide is 3 hours, a target that fits the majority of our users’ use cases based on market research. The leaves reset each day with the system’s screen time counter, starting with a bud for 0 screen time. When a user’s screen time reaches the limit, the leaves cease to grow. After exceeding the limit, this organic, delicate plant begins to transfer into a metal, inorganic structure. While each frame of the wallpaper maintains an aesthetic beauty, the subtle underlying message gently encourages our users to put down their phones.
For the second data point, the wallpaper visualizes the app that consumes the longest screen time in the past hour, by matching the leaves' color with the app's icon color. Because we cannot foresee which apps will dominate our users' screen time, it is necessary to cover the entire color spectrum. So the team rendered 12 colors for the glass finish leaves and another 12 for the metallic finish, with a gradually changing hue. As a result, this wallpaper will look all different throughout the day, and one’s wallpaper can hardly be exactly the same as another.
We've also built an algorithm that extracts all colors in an app's icon, calculates their likelihood to our preset colors, finds the best matching color, and updates the leaf color accordingly. So no matter which app the user has been using the majority in the past hour, the leaves can find a matching color to visualize this behavior.
OPPO's Homeland AOD, launched in ColorOS 13, highlighted the effects of global warming on melting glaciers and the behavioral changes of wild animals in response to real-time temperature fluctuations. This initiative successfully raised awareness about climate change and its impact on vulnerable species, fostering a collective sense of responsibility for the Earth we share.
However, our user research indicated the potential for improvement to make the experience more interactive and visually appealing. To address this, we expanded the region of focus from ocean to land, allowing users to witness a broader range of environmental changes. Additionally, we implemented a strong visible logic to calculate CO2 levels, making the AOD more dynamic and enabling users to easily track the progress and results of their actions.
With these enhancements, Homeland AOD 2 will offer a more engaging and impactful experience, empowering users to actively participate in the fight against climate change. By combining interactivity with strong visual appeal, we aim to inspire even greater love for the planet and encourage everyone to take action in preserving our Earth together.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the way people live and interact with technology. With a significant increase in remote work and online shopping, there's a growing demand for personalized and efficient device experiences. As a relatively new player in the market, OPPO aims to establish brand recognition and awareness among customers in different regions, holding a global market share of around 8%.
To address these challenges and meet user needs, we developed ColorOS 14 with cutting-edge features and strategic global partnerships. Understanding the importance of personalization, our Contextual Awareness, including Shelf, AOD, and Fluid Cloud, empowers users to optimize life services and customize their devices to their preferences.
With this research, I formulated a business plan to pitch to global companies for successful partnerships. Collaborating with stakeholders, including other departments, was a valuable experience that helped align the needs and goals of all departments involved. Despite the challenges of collecting data and collaborating across departments, such as the business team, Internet service team, and product owners, I recognized the significance of these partnerships in propelling our collective success.
