Blueair
Connected Air Quality Platform
IoT app | Lead Product Designer | 2015
Overview
World’s first IoT-enabled air quality platform connecting air purifiers and monitoring devices. Led digital transformation for Swedish air purification leader, creating connected product ecosystem across iOS, Android, and wearables.
My role: Lead Product Designer responsible for end-to-end product design, working directly with product management, engineering, and industrial design teams.
Key outcomes:
- IFA Innovation Award + Showstopper Award at Europe’s largest tech show
- Ranked top 10 tech products at IFA 2015 (70+ companies competing)
- World’s first fully-working intelligent indoor air monitoring and purification system
- Company acquired by Unilever post-launch
- Delivered in 3 months from concept to working prototype
The Challenge
The business problem: Blueair needed digital transformation to maintain market leadership in air purification. Hardware products were in conceptual phase with significant ambiguity around ecosystem integration.
Technical complexity:
- First-to-market pressure (hard IFA Berlin deadline)
- IoT connectivity challenges with prototype hardware
- Multi-device management (5+ devices including purifiers and monitors)
- Cross-platform design (iOS, Android, Apple Watch, Android wearables)
- Translation of complex air quality science into consumer-friendly data
Strategic Approach
Research & Discovery:
- Analysed competitive air quality devices and market landscape
- Interviewed showroom staff, stakeholders, air quality scientists, industrial designers
- Defined MVP with product management focused on speed-to-market
Design Decisions:
- Created unified digital vision inspired by industrial design direction
- Maintained familiarity with existing Blueair product experience
- Collaborated with air quality scientists to define thresholds and simplify data presentation
- Partnered with industrial designers on physical product displays, buttons, icons for cross-cultural clarity
Rapid Iteration:
- Built working prototype in 3 months
- Conducted global remote user testing with culturally nuanced feedback
- Close collaboration with offshore engineering team to ensure implementation quality
- Proactive problem-solving around emerging mobile interaction patterns (iPhone 4, first Apple Watch)
Results
Market Impact:
- First-to-market with fully integrated IoT air quality ecosystem
- Company acquired by Unilever (billions of Swedish Krona valuation)
- Established Blueair as industry leader in connected air purification
Awards & Recognition:
- IFA Innovation Award (Europe’s largest tech show, 2015)
- IFA Showstopper Award (70+ companies competing)
- Top 10 best tech products at IFA 2015
- Shortlisted for Clean Technologies Award
Product Scope:
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- Apple Watch and Android wearables
- Multi-device management (5+ connected devices)
- Blueair Aware air monitoring device integration
- In-car air system (collaboration with external team)
Platform Capabilities:
- Real-time air quality monitoring and control
- Intelligent automation and purification
- Cross-device ecosystem management
- Hands-free interaction for in-car system
