Derek Burkhardsmeier

I'm an interaction designer at Amazon working on the Alexa mobile app. I thrive in an ambiguous tech environment. I can go from defining strategic ideas to diving into the details of today's tech constraints.


Put tech aside, I am a maker at heart. Whether it's physical or digital, I love the craft of building something. You can learn a lot when you have to make it. Whether it's woodworking or prototyping, I try to solve problems head on to make a good experience. Getting to say 'I made that' when seeing a working prototype or a final piece of furniture, is truly magical.

Derek Burkhardsmeier

I'm an interaction designer at Amazon working on the Alexa mobile app. I thrive in an ambiguous tech environment. I can go from defining strategic ideas to diving into the details of today's tech constraints.


Put tech aside, I am a maker at heart. Whether it's physical or digital, I love the craft of building something. You can learn
a lot when you have to make it. Whether it's woodworking or prototyping, I try to solve problems head on to make a good experience. Getting to say 'I made that' when seeing a working prototype or a final piece of furniture, is truly magical.

Derek Burkhardsmeier

I'm an interaction designer at Amazon working on the Alexa mobile app. I thrive in an ambiguous tech environment.
I can go from defining strategic ideas to diving into the details
of today's tech constraints.


Put tech aside, I am a maker
at heart. Whether it's physical
or digital, I love the craft
of building something. You can learn a lot when you have to make it. Whether it's woodworking or prototyping,
I try to solve problems head on to make a good experience. Getting to say 'I made that' when seeing a working prototype or a final piece of furniture, is truly magical.

Projects

Projects

Projects

2023 Alexa Mobile App Redesign

2023 Alexa Mobile App Redesign

2023 Alexa Mobile App Redesign

Overview

In 2023, the team refocused the Alexa Mobile App to be more Smart Home driven (our top customers). In this redesign, we simplified navigation, aligned visual design, and brought device actions up. The Alexa app has over 35million active monthly users.

In 2023, the team refocused the Alexa Mobile App to be more Smart Home driven (our top customers).
In this redesign, we simplified navigation, aligned visual design, and brought device actions up.

In 2023, the team refocused the Alexa Mobile App to be more Smart Home driven (our top customers).
In this redesign, we simplified navigation, aligned visual design, and brought device actions up.

Role

I was the lead Interaction designer for 2/3 of the top channels (Devices and More)

I collaborated with product, domain teams, research, and engineering to implement new designs. In addition, I lead prototyping initiatives for all user research studies while collaborating with those design leads.

I was the lead Interaction designer for 2/3 of the top channels (Devices and More) I collaborated with product, domain teams, research, and engineering to implement new designs. In addition, I lead prototyping initiatives for all user research studies while collaborating with those design leads.

I was the lead Interaction designer for 2/3 of the top channels (Devices and More)
I collaborated with product, domain teams, research, and engineering to implement new designs. In addition, I lead prototyping initiatives for all user research studies while collaborating with those design leads.

Details

Devices Channel

The goal of the devices channel is for customers to access and manage long-tailed devices. The intent is they would come to this page 20% of the time while engaging with the Home channel 80% of the time. I focused on making it easier for customers to find that specific device through groups, search, sort order, or filters. Devices channel will scale depending on how many devices a customer owns.

Devices Channel

The goal of the devices channel is
for customers to access and manage long-tailed devices. The intent is they would come to this page 20%
of the time while engaging with the Home channel 80% of the time.
I focused on making it easier for customers to find that specific device through groups, search, sort order, or filters. Devices channel will scale depending on how many devices a customer owns.

Devices Channel

The goal of the devices channel is for customers to access and manage long-tailed devices.
The intent is they would come to this page 20% of the time while engaging with the Home channel 80% of the time. I focused on making it easier for customers to find that specific device through groups, search, sort order, or filters. Devices channel will scale depending on how many devices a customer owns.

More Menu

Is relatively simple. It's a page that allows access to additional features within the app. It is consistent and reliable. As new features are introduced, they will appear on this page. Customers can even shortcut to these features directly on home for quick access.
The redesign of the more menu increased engagement by 6%

Check out The Verge review of our redesign.

Check out The Verge review
of our redesign.

Alexa Mobile Device Upsell

Overview

As part of the 2023 redesign, the Alexa app introduced Device Deals. An initiative to help customers find the latest smart home device deals on Amazon.com. This program ebbs and flows depending on what deals are available. In the first 3 months, Device Deals contributed to over 45k units sold. This initiative was rolled into the larger monetization effort and continues to expand.

As part of the 2023 redesign,
the Alexa app introduced Device Deals. An initiative to help customers find the latest smart home device deals on Amazon.com. This program ebbs and flows depending on what deals are available. In the first 3 months, Device Deals contributed to over 45k units sold. This initiative was rolled into the larger monetization effort and continues to expand.

Role

I was the lead designer of the very first Device Deals experience found within the Alexa Mobile App. The goal was to connect with the Amazon deals API. This is the first feature page to show product imagery within the Alexa app.

I was the lead designer of the very first Device Deals experience found within the Alexa Mobile App.
The goal was to connect with the Amazon deals API. This is the first feature page to show product imagery within the Alexa app.

Alexa Music Transfer

Overview

In 2021, the Alexa Mobile app introduced the ability to allow customers to select what devices or groups of devices to play music on. Previously, customers were only able to play music to one device and unable to switch devices through the mobile app.

In addition, multi music streams was introduced allowing customers to play different music on different devices at the same time.

In 2021, the Alexa Mobile app introduced the ability to allow customers to select what devices or groups of devices to play music on. Previously, customers were only able to play music to one device and unable to switch devices through the mobile app. In addition, multi music streams was introduced allowing customers to play different music on different devices at the same time.

In 2021, the Alexa Mobile app introduced the ability to allow customers to select what devices or groups of devices to play music on. Previously, customers were only able to play music to one device and unable to switch devices through the mobile app. In addition, multi music streams was introduced allowing customers to play different music on different devices at the same time.

Role

In 2021 I was the lead designer of the first experience of Music transfer. I designed the interaction flow and worked with product managers and engineers to implement in regards to the technical constraints.

The visuals displayed in the section are updated to reflect the 2023 redesign.

In 2021 I was the lead designer of the first experience of Music transfer.
I designed the interaction flow and worked with product managers and engineers to implement in regards to the technical constraints. The visuals displayed in the section are updated to reflect the 2023 redesign.

In 2021 I was the lead designer
of the first experience of Music transfer. I designed the interaction flow and worked with product managers and engineers to implement in regards to the technical constraints.
The visuals displayed in the section are updated to reflect the 2023 redesign.

Global Permission Primers

Overview

In 2020, Global Permission Primers (GPP) were introduced into the Alexa app as a way to build trust with customers. Previously, during app install or device setup, customers would see OS level permission popups without context as to why they appear.


GPP was a templated mechanism to educate customers as to why the app was asking for permission. When introduced, the amount of accepted permissions significantly increased.

In 2020, Global Permission Primers (GPP) were introduced into the Alexa app as a way
to build trust with customers. Previously, during app install
or device setup, customers would see OS level permission popups without context as to why they appear.


GPP was a templated mechanism to educate customers as to why the app was asking for permission.
When introduced, the amount
off accepted permissions significantly increased.

Role

I was the lead designer of the Global Permission Primers. I defined how the template looked and worked closely with copy writers and legal team to craft the words on each permission.

I continue to work with legal to evaluate and update the permission to comply with the ever changing permissions presented by the OS platforms.

I was the lead designer of the Global Permission Primers.
I defined how the template looked and worked closely with copy writers and legal team to craft the words on each permission. I continue to work with legal to evaluate and update the permission to comply with the ever changing permissions presented by the OS platforms.

Derek Burkhardsmeier 2024

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