Kenwood, a leading manufacturer of home audio equipment, wanted to redefine the home theater experience. The home theater market was emerging as a profitable, high-growth niche in the maturing market for home electronics. While technology offered unprecedented sound quality, users were unsure how to access it. An opportunity existed to simplify user interaction via a fully interactive, removable controller. Our challenge was to make that interface intuitive and easy to use. Our solution had to be implementable on a monochrome touchscreen display.

Our research-based design approach created an interface that reflects how people want to interact with their home theater systems. It helped us create an intuitive and fun way of interacting with home theater. Based on principles of participatory design and rapid prototyping, we broke from traditional audio interfaces to create an interface that industry experts describe as "a pleasure to use."

Our research approach created an interface that makes complex technology accessible to the whole family. It allows home theater to be what it should be (fun!). Kenwood's new interface replaces frustration with enjoyment. The new interface provides an important gateway for transforming the home theater market from a high-end, niche market into n accessible mass market. As component costs come down, interaction complexity emerges as the single-most important obstacle to market.

Placing prototypes in front of users early and often revealed that users don't want everything controlled through the touch-screen. They want immediate access to a number of other functions. Kenwood's new interface has hard buttons for volume and mute controls located below the touchscreen. A "Home Row" appears at the bottom of the touchscreen to provide quick and continuous access to power, sound, home, help and system presets.

Rapid prototype testing also allowed us to refine icon and typography design and interaction feedback. As buttons are touched, they shift slightly and turn black. When accessing sub-menus, we used the familiar "Windows" metaphor that allows users to see where they are and quickly jump around. Icons are designed to balance entertainment with technical sophistication. Touchscreen "zoning" maintains consistent interaction and reinforces the cognitive map. To ensure legibility, we created our own font.

Our research created value by giving people more control over technology. By simplifying the interaction design of a complex technology, the Kenwood Home Theater System gives people more for their money. Our research produced an interface that gives people simple and direct access to the full capability of their audio systems. No longer must novice users fumble through manuals or wait for their favorite technophile to pay a visit. Great sound is available anytime, anywhere at home.

Kenwood introduced its new product at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It was successful beyond all expectations. Kenwood stood out among its competitors. Show orders for Kenwood products were up 10% despite a flat market. Audio Review featured Kenwood's new Home Theater Controller on its cover. The new product succeeded in redefining home theater interaction.

Kenwood's new design offers people complete access to the full capability of their audio systems. Kenwood's new THX interface is simple, reliable and friendly. It allows people to bring music and sound into their lives on their terms.