what you need to know
- Since Google officially acquired the Fitbit app in 2021, it has completely revamped the Fitbit app to make it comply with the Material You design language.
- In an interview posted on the Google Design website, the Fitbit UX team explained how they decided to tweak the Fitbit app to integrate it with the Google platform.
- The designers shared the thought process behind the transformation, which has been in the works for two years and is still ongoing.
Google officially completed its acquisition of Fitbit about three years ago and is still working to integrate Fitbit into its health product portfolio and larger ecosystem of devices and services. We can see the effects of this project in a number of ways, such as the Fitbit app being redesigned to match the Material You design language. However, we’ve just gotten a rare glimpse into Google’s thought process behind the visual redesign of the Fitbit app through an interview with the Fitbit UX team posted on the Google Design website.
While the new Fitbit app (which has been rolling out in parts since last year) clearly fits the Material You theme, designers had to start working on the project before it was finalized. They started working two years ago and are enthusiastic about the light and space art movement that originated in Google’s home state of California in the late 1960s.
“We know the concept of ‘form follows feeling’ is popular, we know it’s about personalization, and we know it’s all about you, which works really well for celebrating the best of Google with Fitbit,” said Mat Helme. Head of product and brand design at Fitbit.
This design approach is where the Fitbit app we’re launching today comes in, which features light backgrounds, rich colors, and a variety of pastel tones. We can see the influence of Google and Fitbit’s design preferences still guiding app updates, such as the just-announced improvements to Fitbit Sleep.
Judy Zhu, head of visual motion and systems at Fitbit, said: “Fitbit tends to have a circular shape and muted colors that feel quite unique, and the circular form factor was important as we designed for that uplifting and compassionate feel. Components.” Team. “We are able to do this because we combine multiple worlds into one holistic wellness journey experience.”
However, it’s not just the design. Fitbit designers also wanted to provide health and fitness metrics in an easy-to-understand way.
“As a product team, we’re working hard to collect less data and more to provide you with insights and actionable information to take control of your health journey,” said Sarah Wilson, director of user experience design at Fitbit. Wilson said in practice , this requires using diagrams and text to explain all the fitness and health terms that may not come naturally to everyone. Going a step further, Fitbit wants to make it easier for users to access recorded data and apply it to make the right fitness and lifestyle changes.
This brings us back to the Google Pixel Watch 2, whose round shape fits Fitbit’s preference for round designs. It also includes the sensors needed to provide the data Google wants to share in a simple way. So it stands to reason that the Pixel Watch and its round shape are an important part of Fitbit’s future strategy.
The pinnacle of Google and Fitbit integration
Pixel Watch 2 combines Google’s smartwatch prowess with Fitbit’s extensive experience in the health field. If you’re looking for a great Fitbit, the Pixel Watch 2 might actually be the best option.