August's first wire-free doorbell camera is designed to be slim, easy to install, and versatile to different homes.

August's first wire-free doorbell camera is designed to be slim, easy to install, and versatile to different homes.

Hydra

Overview

August View's design makes it easy to install on your door without worrying about wires. Its replaceable faceplates lets you change its looks to fit you and your home.

Problem

With the previous versions of the doorbell cam family, guests were not able to notice the previous design's unconventional and aspirational design. With its square form factors, it did not look like a doorbell and to many it also didn't fit to their thinner front door siding. 

Solution

With new product requirements and new features, find a balance of what August doorbell cam should look like, following both customer feedback through reviews for discoverability to all users, and aspirational August design language.

Making it battery replaceable attracts potential buyers, following the ease of installation and replacable design like to that of our popular lock family. Slimmer profile also fits in more houses with thinner doorframes and sidings. In house solution also drives cost down. This will set us apart as a design centric company from the competition. 

Overview

August View's design makes it easy to install on your door without worrying about wires. Its replaceable faceplates lets you change its looks to fit you and your home.

Problem

With the previous versions of the doorbell cam family, guests were not able to notice the previous design's unconventional and aspirational design. With its square form factors, it did not look like a doorbell and to many it also didn't fit to their thinner front door siding. 

Solution

With new product requirements and new features, find a balance of what August doorbell cam should look like, following both customer feedback through reviews for discoverability to all users, and aspirational August design language.

Making it battery replaceable attracts potential buyers, following the ease of installation and replacable design like to that of our popular lock family. Slimmer profile also fits in more houses with thinner doorframes and sidings. In house solution also drives cost down. This will set us apart as a design centric company from the competition. 

Involvement

Industrial Design
Creative Direction

Collaborated with

Mechanical Engineering
UX Team
Product Team
Marketing Team

Company

August Home, Inc.

Involvement

Industrial Design
Creative Direction

Collaborated with

Mechanical Engineering
UX Team
Product Team
Marketing Team

Company

August Home, Inc.

Door-Collection-2

August View is designed fit to your home's exterior style.

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The previous design could also look like a security system that detered some guests. Image credit: FuseProject

Architectural
D
esign

Hard lines and and intentional chamfered edges idolizes the concept of security, yet welcoming like your home. When you're not home, August View is your friendly concierge, letting you know who's at your door, even when you're not home. 

It's vertical design is a reminiscent of a conventional doorbell, with every guests in mind. The importance of familiar design dramatically improves the user expectation and usability, marking August's first in its doorbell camera family. Yet, it plays homage to the design language that its predecessors emphasizes.

There is no place like home, and August View differentiates to that from a house. 

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Gallery

Documents —

Hydra-Sketches2
Hydra-Sketches1
Hydra-Sketches3

Golden ratio is utilized to create the skeleton and overall aesthetics + measurements

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Layout-2

Final Front Plate Design sent to and finalized by FuseProject

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Reflections —

A lot of the design choices in this product has been user centric and listening to our customers drove this. For the first time, our design choices really use what customers are telling us while keeping the August aspirational design. Solving the problems of:

1. Making it look more of a traditional doorbell with its shape, and button size that fits one's finger makes it look more like a doorbell button. It uses architectural design to give a sense of security, with hard shapes and lines.

2. It fits to most door frames and front facade, making it the most friendly user experience.

3. Battery operated, making it portable and easy to install (you don't need screws if you don't want to).

4. Interchangeable faceplates to fit your style.

5. Designed with chime bundled was a concious decision to give the customers at ease since it's not hardwired to an electrical doorbell chime.

Press Feature —

"The View is arguably more attractive than the Ring, with its smaller footprint and nicer plastic materials." ...

"August has made one of the best-looking video doorbells you can buy, and its battery-powered operation makes it much more accessible to a broader swath of homeowners."

- The Verge

"The August View Video Doorbell is super easy to install. It doesn't even require a screwdriver if you don't want to use one."

- Android Central

"The newest member of the August family, the wireless View Doorbell Camera ($229), is even easier to install than its wired sibling and delivers sharp video"

- PcMag

"It's tough to pick an obvious design winner between these two buzzers (August View vs Ring Doorbell 2) -- both look nice and, perhaps more importantly, actually look like doorbells -- but I slightly prefer the August View. "

- CNet

"In a nice change from the blocky square design that August currently uses..."

"the View takes a more minimal, rectangular form factor"

- 9to5Mac

"And what caught my eye is this beautifully designed August View video doorbell. Whereas their original entrants were an unpractical and befuddling shape for many homes, possibly too stylized for some, this new design hits all the right notes (visually) "

- Zatsnotfunny

"The original had a square design that wasn't as indicative of what it was, so the updated third generation abandons that for a more traditional approach."

- Appleinsider

"Let this be said, the August View is a serious improvement on August’s previous designs. The View is long and sleek, and should fit more entryways compared to its blocky, square-shaped predecessors. "

- Techradar

"One of the best things about the August View’s design? You can customize it to match your house!"

- Security.org

"Even though the August’s old Doorbell Cam Pro had good features, one of the problem many home owners pointed out was its clunky, square shaped device that really didn’t blend in well on a lot of people’s doorbells.

However, the new August View, now fixes that problem with a svelte new design."

- Smarthomeradar

"It's not the company's first doorbell — but the August View is their first to actually look like a doorbell. Unlike its prior effort, the View is also wire-free, making installation far easier."

- Uncrate

"The August View Doorbell Camera features customizable options, high-quality images, real-time notification, and 2-way communication. It makes for a worthy addition to any smart home."

- Gearhungry

"August View sees the company re-imaging their smart doorbell design with a focus on simplicity."

- DigitalTrends

"In addition to a beautiful redesign, the biggest selling point of the August View is the fact that it's wireless, which means it's ready to go right out of the box, no complex installation necessary."

- Technobuffalo

"Firstly, this means it should fit most entryways, which is helpful if you're squeezed for space. Secondly, a simple wireless DIY installation process means it'll appeal to tenants as well as homeowners. Their security concerns are no less valid (sometimes they're greater, in fact), but restrictive rental agreements limit what changes can be made to a property. August View's out-of-the-box solution addresses this."

- Engadget

"it actually looks like a traditional doorbell"

- Gearpatrol

"you get a big bump in video quality and the ability to pick the doorbell finish that really complements your home. Sounds like a no-brainer choice "

- Androidauthority

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Kevin Lessy | 2022 ✌🏻