UX/UI Designer — Case Study

Rimac Nevera

Contributing to the digital soul of an all-electric hypercar. Supporting the HMI design system and companion mobile app for the world's fastest production vehicle.

Timeline 1 Year
Role UX/UI Designer
Contribution Supporting
Deliverables HMI & Mobile App
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The Challenge

Designing for a New Category

The Nevera isn't just another hypercar—it's an all-electric statement piece from a Croatian startup challenging century-old marques. The interface needed to match that ambition.

The HMI had to communicate performance, build trust, and feel distinctly Rimac—all while remaining usable at extreme speeds.

01

Information Density

Multiple driving modes, battery status, performance metrics, and navigation—all competing for screen real estate without overwhelming the driver.

02

Cross-Platform Consistency

The design language needed to scale seamlessly from in-car infotainment to the mobile companion app while maintaining brand coherence.

03

Usability at Speed

Touch targets, typography sizing, and contrast ratios optimized for quick glances—critical information must be instantly scannable.

04

Premium Brand Expression

Every interaction should reinforce Rimac's positioning as a technology-forward luxury brand—not a startup, but a future icon.

My Contribution

Joining Mid-Flight

I joined the Nevera project when the foundational design system was already established. My primary focus became the Driver Coach feature—owning the complete UI design, interaction patterns, and design system for this AI-powered coaching experience.

Driver Coach UI & Design System

Owned the complete UI design for Driver Coach—from trajectory overlays to ambient color states, audio/visual toggle controls, and post-session analytics screens.

User Testing with Test Drivers

Conducted extensive testing sessions with professional test drivers on track—iterating on visual feedback timing, legibility at speed, and interaction patterns based on real driving conditions.

Mobile Companion App

Contributing to the Rimac mobile app design—extending the visual language from HMI to mobile, ensuring brand coherence across touchpoints.

50+
Screens Designed
3
Driver Modes
2
Platforms (HMI + Mobile)
1
Design System
Design Principles

Guiding the Experience

The design principles that shaped every interface decision—balancing performance communication with usability and brand expression.

01
Clarity at Speed
Information hierarchy designed for split-second comprehension. Critical data stays visible and legible whether cruising or pushing limits on track.
02
Progressive Disclosure
Surface simplicity for everyday driving, with deeper details available on demand. The interface reveals complexity only when the driver actively seeks it.
03
Consistent Visual Language
Unified design tokens, spacing systems, and interaction patterns across all screens—from instrument cluster to center console to mobile companion app.
04
Brand-Forward Aesthetics
Every pixel reinforces Rimac's identity as a technology leader. Dark themes, precise typography, and purposeful accent colors create an unmistakably premium feel.
Project Process

The Team's Approach

An overview of the design methodology that guided the Nevera HMI development.

Phase 01

Research & Brand Immersion

Understanding Rimac's brand positioning, competitive landscape, and target user expectations. Analyzing existing hypercar interfaces and identifying opportunities for differentiation in the EV space.

Phase 02

Design System Foundation

Establishing typography, color systems, iconography, and component libraries. Creating scalable patterns that maintain consistency across infotainment screens, clusters, and mobile touchpoints.

Phase 03

Interaction & Motion Design

Defining interaction patterns, transitions, and micro-animations. Prototyping user flows for navigation, media, vehicle settings, and the Driver Coach feature.

Phase 04

Refinement & Handoff

Final polish phase where I joined—contributing to HMI refinements, mobile app screens, and preparing detailed specifications for engineering handoff.

Feature Spotlight

Driver Coach

My primary responsibility on the Nevera project. I owned the complete UI design and design system for this AI-powered coaching feature—from initial concepts through user testing with professional test drivers to final delivery.

This wasn't just an app within the infotainment—it was a complete transformation of the cockpit experience, where the entire interface becomes the coach.

Core Concept

Ambient Intelligence

When Driver Coach activates, the entire infotainment system transforms. Screen bezels, UI elements, and ambient lighting shift colors in real-time based on driving inputs—creating an immersive, peripheral-vision feedback loop.

Braking Zone
Coast / Trail
Accelerate
Optimal Line

Real-Time Trajectory

AI calculates the optimal racing line based on current speed, tire temperature, and track conditions—displayed as a dynamic path overlay.

Audio Instructions

Voice coaching delivers precise timing cues—"Brake in 3... 2... 1... Now"—synchronized with visual feedback for multi-sensory guidance.

Post-Session Analytics

Lap-by-lap breakdown comparing driver inputs against AI recommendations, highlighting improvement opportunities with actionable insights.

Autonomous Demo Mode

Full autonomous demonstration mode shows drivers the ideal lap before they attempt it—learning through observation before execution.

Interaction Modes
01

Learn Mode

Full guidance with audio instructions, visual trajectory overlay, and ambient color feedback. Designed for first-time track drivers building confidence and technique.

Audio Visual Ambient
02

Refine Mode

Visual-only guidance without audio interruption. For experienced drivers who want trajectory assistance while maintaining flow state concentration.

Audio Visual Ambient
03

Pure Mode

Ambient feedback only—subtle color shifts in peripheral vision. For advanced drivers who want minimal distraction while still receiving subconscious guidance.

Audio Visual Ambient
Validation

Testing with Professional Drivers

Driver Coach was validated through extensive on-track testing sessions with Rimac's professional test drivers. This wasn't simulated feedback—it was real-world iteration at high speed.

01

Timing Precision

Audio cues needed to arrive 0.5–1 second before the action point. Too early felt disconnected; too late was useless at speed.

02

Peripheral Color Response

Drivers responded faster to ambient color changes than on-screen text. Led to prioritizing full-screen color states over UI overlays.

03

Cognitive Load Balance

Learn Mode was overwhelming for intermediate drivers. This insight led to creating the three-tier mode system with progressive information density.

Tools

Design Toolkit

The tools used to design, prototype, and deliver the Nevera experience.

Figma
UI Design & Design System
ProtoPie
Interactive Prototypes
Blender
3D Assets & Visualizations
After Effects
Motion & Micro-interactions
Reflection

Lessons from Joining Late

"Joining an established project teaches humility—learning to contribute within existing constraints while still finding ways to add value."

Respect the Foundation

The team had already made hundreds of design decisions before I arrived. My job wasn't to reinvent—it was to understand, support, and enhance what existed while maintaining consistency.

Fresh Eyes Have Value

Even joining late, a new perspective can spot inconsistencies or opportunities the team has become blind to. The key is offering observations constructively, not critically.

Electric Is Different

Working on EV interfaces taught me that silent power requires visual voice. The emotional feedback that combustion provides through sound must be created entirely through design.

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