Car Control Widgets.
Oct 24.
For Car Control Widgets, I developed a suite of elegant, native-feeling widgets for iOS, enhancing driver safety and convenience through intuitive visual cues and easy controls.
How I Designed Apple-Inspired Car Widgets for a Safer and Smarter Drive.
Crafted native-style widgets for car controls, bringing Apple’s clarity and consistency into everyday driving.
Widgets
Beginning.
This started as a side thought while I was exploring a larger automotive interface. I kept noticing that not everything needs a full screen or a central cluster. Small focused parts could do more by doing less. That became the seed for widgets that live quietly on the phone and lock screen.
PHEV
Problem.
Most companion car apps feel heavy when you only need a quick glance. Checking tire pressure, range, or engine status often means opening a full app, waiting on loading states, and navigating nested screens. I wanted a faster way to see and act on essentials.
Engine temperature
Goal.
Design a small family of iOS widgets that feel native, read in a second, and stand on their own. Each widget should answer one clear question like how far can I drive or are my tires ok and do it without stealing attention.
Fuel and range
Research and Observation.
I looked at CarPlay patterns and apps like Tesla and MyHyundai. Many solutions felt overbranded or busy. Friends who drive EVs and hybrids told me their needs change by moment. Before a trip they care about range. After a charge they care about battery and temperature. On the road they want quick reassurance. These notes shaped the set of widgets I pursued.
Engine status
Scope and Constraints.
Two constraints guided every decision. It must feel like part of iOS. Each widget must stand alone. That pushed me to focus on a tight set of data points like fuel, battery, engine, tire pressure, and temperature. It also set the bar for clarity and legibility.
EV
Exploration and Concept.
I explored card sizes and densities to find a rhythm that feels at home near Weather and Calendar. The concept treated each widget as a single answer card rather than a tiny app. Open and you instantly know what you are looking at. No learning curve and no secondary chrome.
MPG
Design and Interaction.
I leaned on native system pieces like SF Symbols, iOS type, and familiar elevation. Status states needed to be explicit yet calm. OFF should not read as an error. Numbers and units had to align so scanning felt natural. Charge indicators animate just enough to feel alive while staying quiet. The smallest decisions often took the most time because legibility depends on them.
Tires
Visual and Motion.
The visual language is modular and soft. Rounded rectangles, high contrast for readability, and minimal iconography. Micro motion supports meaning without creating noise. When a value changes the card breathes instead of flashing. The goal is presence without pull.
EV
What I Learned.
Designing small does not mean thinking small. It means editing harder and being precise with space, contrast, and tempo. The best parts are often invisible. When they work you do not notice them. You just get the information and move on.
Fuel and range
Takeaway.
Car Control Widgets made me pay attention to the quiet parts of an interface. Not the screen filling moments but the tiny pieces that live in the margins and end up being what people rely on most.
More in Projects.
Car Digital Cockpit.
Jan 25.
Developed intuitive digital cockpits integrating real-time data visualization, driver-centric design, and responsive interfaces.
Noque.
Mar 24.
Engineered an innovative mobile app simplifying restaurant interactions through streamlined ordering and efficient pickup.
Musyka.
Nov 24.
Designed a vibrant digital music experience tailored specifically to the dynamic preferences of new generation.
Kodomi.
Dec 24.
Built a versatile no-code tool empowering designers to rapidly prototype and share UI components and full websites.
Mesoki.
Nov 23.
Established a minimalist stationery brand that seamlessly blends functional design and engaging digital storytelling.
More in Nuggets.
Component Shortcut.
Sep 25.
Added a custom shortcut feature for design components to reduce friction and avoid digging through the library every time.
More in Readings.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.
Car Control Widgets.
Oct 24.
For Car Control Widgets, I developed a suite of elegant, native-feeling widgets for iOS, enhancing driver safety and convenience through intuitive visual cues and easy controls.
How I Designed Apple-Inspired Car Widgets for a Safer and Smarter Drive.
Crafted native-style widgets for car controls, bringing Apple’s clarity and consistency into everyday driving.
Widgets
Beginning.
This started as a side thought while I was exploring a larger automotive interface. I kept noticing that not everything needs a full screen or a central cluster. Small focused parts could do more by doing less. That became the seed for widgets that live quietly on the phone and lock screen.
PHEV
Problem.
Most companion car apps feel heavy when you only need a quick glance. Checking tire pressure, range, or engine status often means opening a full app, waiting on loading states, and navigating nested screens. I wanted a faster way to see and act on essentials.
Engine temperature
Goal.
Design a small family of iOS widgets that feel native, read in a second, and stand on their own. Each widget should answer one clear question like how far can I drive or are my tires ok and do it without stealing attention.
Fuel and range
Research and Observation.
I looked at CarPlay patterns and apps like Tesla and MyHyundai. Many solutions felt overbranded or busy. Friends who drive EVs and hybrids told me their needs change by moment. Before a trip they care about range. After a charge they care about battery and temperature. On the road they want quick reassurance. These notes shaped the set of widgets I pursued.
Engine status
Scope and Constraints.
Two constraints guided every decision. It must feel like part of iOS. Each widget must stand alone. That pushed me to focus on a tight set of data points like fuel, battery, engine, tire pressure, and temperature. It also set the bar for clarity and legibility.
EV
Exploration and Concept.
I explored card sizes and densities to find a rhythm that feels at home near Weather and Calendar. The concept treated each widget as a single answer card rather than a tiny app. Open and you instantly know what you are looking at. No learning curve and no secondary chrome.
MPG
Design and Interaction.
I leaned on native system pieces like SF Symbols, iOS type, and familiar elevation. Status states needed to be explicit yet calm. OFF should not read as an error. Numbers and units had to align so scanning felt natural. Charge indicators animate just enough to feel alive while staying quiet. The smallest decisions often took the most time because legibility depends on them.
Tires
Visual and Motion.
The visual language is modular and soft. Rounded rectangles, high contrast for readability, and minimal iconography. Micro motion supports meaning without creating noise. When a value changes the card breathes instead of flashing. The goal is presence without pull.
EV
What I Learned.
Designing small does not mean thinking small. It means editing harder and being precise with space, contrast, and tempo. The best parts are often invisible. When they work you do not notice them. You just get the information and move on.
Fuel and range
Takeaway.
Car Control Widgets made me pay attention to the quiet parts of an interface. Not the screen filling moments but the tiny pieces that live in the margins and end up being what people rely on most.
More in Projects.
Car Digital Cockpit.
Jan 25.
Developed intuitive digital cockpits integrating real-time data visualization, driver-centric design, and responsive interfaces.
Noque.
Mar 24.
Engineered an innovative mobile app simplifying restaurant interactions through streamlined ordering and efficient pickup.
Musyka.
Nov 24.
Designed a vibrant digital music experience tailored specifically to the dynamic preferences of new generation.
Kodomi.
Dec 24.
Built a versatile no-code tool empowering designers to rapidly prototype and share UI components and full websites.
Mesoki.
Nov 23.
Established a minimalist stationery brand that seamlessly blends functional design and engaging digital storytelling.
More in Nuggets.
Component Shortcut.
Sep 25.
Added a custom shortcut feature for design components to reduce friction and avoid digging through the library every time.
More in Readings.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.