At NOX, I worked with Molly Cantillon to lead product and design of an LLM-powered voice assistant that proactively completes tasks and provides personalized coaching.
Through user testing, we evolved from building "another Siri" to creating an AI companion that understands users' work patterns and goals. Working with engineering teams, we developed an interface for easy task delegation and contextualized support, focusing initially on productivity and wellness coaching.
I also led NOX's launch campaign, working with director Cyrus Duff on our short film and Shea Cooper on an animated explainer. These videos garnered over 2M impressions and led to features in Business Insider and NBC.
SPENCER'S SCOPE
Product Management
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Executive Producer
Stunt Double
Clapper Loader (2nd AC)
TIMELINE
Designed, Tested, and Shipped in Q2 2024
TECH COLLABORATORS
Molly Cantillon, CEO
Aayush Pokharel, iOS Lead
Jia Hu, UI Designer
FILM COLLABORATORS
REIMAGINING VOICE AI
Voice assistants are undergoing a fundamental shift from command-based tools to contextual AI companions. While Siri and Alexa excel at basic tasks, there's a growing need for assistants that understand and adapt to individual users' needs.
BUILDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Built by a team in our early 20s, NOX emerged from our need for an AI that matched our energy and bias towards action. We wanted more than task completion—we needed a companion that understood our dreams and aspirations.
NOX'S VISION
With advances in conversational AI making natural dialogue possible, we created an always-on companion that reflected our generation's approach to getting things done. NOX isn't just another assistant—it's a proactive partner designed with the same bias towards action as its creators.
Step 1: Identify Core User Needs
Step 2: Establish Design Goals
How Might We…
...build an always-on companion that understands when to step in and help achieve its user's aspirations, while maintaining their trust and agency?
Design Direction:
To explore our design goals, we tested different ways people could interact with an intelligent AI that collects, remembers, and prioritizes their personal goals. Our initial designs explored both voice-based and text-based interactions to understand how users would most naturally trust an AI assistant with their personal information.
Testing Interaction Models
Initial UX
What began as a hybrid text-voice interface, offering users flexibility in how they communicated with NOX
Initial Feedback
The written interface created distance, while a voice-centric enabled NOX to become the seamless, always-on companion users were seeking—one that could understand context and prepare actions on their behalf
Establishing a Personal Connection with an AI
Initial UX
Early designs offered multiple ways to share personal goals and aspirations with NOX.
Initial Feedback
Users formed stronger connections through voice, as NOX could engage in natural, open-ended conversations about their ambitions. LLMs enabled NOX to follow users' interests dynamically, creating a level of trust and engagement that a text input box couldn't match.
Through our research, we prioritized voice based interactions with NOX where users not only onboarded by talking directly with NOX, but also trusted the technology enough to dispatch NOX to complete tasks for them.
A large part of this initial design work included polishing interactions secondary to the core user experience, such as inviting friends and providing NOX context by connecting your calendar and email.
Home Screen Experience
Built for efficient desktop-based list creation and management, with streamlined mobile tools for quick updates.
Call Assistant
Designed for easy mobile viewing before and during events, while maintaining a comprehensive web experience.
Inviting Friends to NOX
Focused on quick profile discovery and reference, supporting the most common on-the-go use cases.
Connecting Google Accounts
Additional tools that enhance the UX, including list sharing, email matching, and improved profile viewing.
To promote a voice first experience, we onboarded users through paths where they communicated directly with NOX to clear each step. Any interaction that led to the user typing was made secondary. This approach allows users to experience the magic of an AI that feels like it really knows you, laughs with you, and pushes you to be your best self.
When designing the initial UX, we needed to clear hurdles that early stage startups often face: growth and trust. Leaning on intuitive design, we allowed users to both invite their friends easily and understand the value proposition of connecting their Google accounts.
BRINGING NOX TO LIFE
Instead of a traditional product ad, we wanted to show how NOX naturally integrates into daily life. Through cinematic storytelling, we demonstrate its role as an always-on companion.
PRODUCTION JOURNEY
After bringing on director Cyrus Duff, we collaborated on key production elements - from location scouting and coordinating extras to screenplay editing. I even stepped in as precision driver when needed :) The experience let me bridge the full journey from product design to storytelling impact.
LAUNCH IMPACT
The film resonated immediately, generating over 1.3M impressions in its first 48 hours and driving more than 106k waitlist signups.
Stills + some BTS shots :)
REASEARCH TO REALITY
Partnering with Shea from Concept Central, we created an animated video that brought our key research findings to life. The animation showcased features developed through 20+ user interviews, demonstrating how an AI companion could seamlessly integrate into daily routines and proactively support users' goals.
LAUNCH IMPACT
The animated video resonated immediately, generating over 700K impressions in its first 48 hours and contributed to our 106k waitlist signups.