In my last post, I discussed the divide in AV UI Design and Branding. I also mentioned the increase in simplified systems and the benefits they bring to small room systems with the familiar UI from web conferencing systems. The benefit of control standards like CEC means these room systems require less hardware and almost always do not need traditional control systems. However, this also widens the divide between small spaces and the boardrooms and large presentation spaces that still may need a control system. In the past, a small system may have had a control system and the UI would have been similar (although uninspired and/or dated) to that of the larger systems.

This gives us more reason to explore, innovate, and develop the AV industry’s need for UI design and work with clients to ensure success. While I mentioned the missed opportunity of branding in AV UI design, I would like to point out that there has been some work in this space. Most designs are stuck with the typical colour themes of blue (likely a default as it is in the software used to create them). We have used company logos on navbars and “start screens”, though a company’s brand is normally more than a logo and in many businesses laid out in a Brand Guidelines document. Along with the industry’s move to using some of the larger programming languages means we can more easily implement the customers’ colours, typography, and imagery. I have mentioned the generic blue design and I’m sure that you all have it in your mind. For those unfamiliar, I have found these images.

Now with those images in mind, think of a company and apply what you know of their brand identity. Maybe you only know the brand colours and logo, or you might be able to get your hands on a Brand Guidelines document. Now apply what you know. Let’s try with the Bunnings brand. A quick Google gives us the link to the “Brandfetch” website giving access to the brand colours, logos, and fonts; with these in hand and access to the Bunnings website, we update the design. We could reuse the green navbar found on the website, using the “burger menu” to house the nav items like Video, Audio, Camera Control, etc. Also in that navbar is a logo, and some buttons to the right; these buttons could be replaced with the Power and “admin/tech settings”. Without the Brand Guide, we don’t know what it says about button style, though we can take some licence to update them. I have been trying out the “DaisyUI” framework of late, so I would look into using a button style from there.

Reflecting on this redesign, you can see how a few small changes can begin to make the UI feel familiar and hopefully less daunting, and more intuitive to use. Just imagine the potential of involving the business’s brand team or a UI/UX designer—this expert input could truly bridge technology with brand identity. The opportunities for innovation and improved user experience we have discussed are only the beginning.

Live long and prosper,

Ellery Hulme

(they/he)

Bridging Technology and Brand Identity