Tesla
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Model X UX Integration

My role

I served as a UX strategist and UI systems contributor under contract, first through a recruiting agency and then independently via my consultancy, Flow+Frames (under IVEL Group). Working both remotely and from the Palo Alto headquarters, I collaborated with Tesla’s product, design, and engineering teams. I mapped user flows, helped shape touchscreen interaction models, and contributed to early system logic that crossed over into both Tesla Energy and the Model X vehicle interface. I was responsible for documentation, user behavior logic, and ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software inside the car.

Project brief

Tesla’s Model X wasn’t just an electric SUV—it was an ecosystem of innovation. From Falcon Wing doors to autonomous driving systems, every part of the car challenged conventional automotive norms. With hardware years ahead of the industry, the touchscreen interface and in-cabin digital experience needed to match. Tesla required a scalable UX framework that delivered intuitive control, ensured driver and passenger safety, and brought cohesion between energy systems and in-vehicle tech. The brief? Deliver function, without friction.

Solution in Action

Outcomes

Contributed interface logic and interaction models that remain foundational to Tesla’s in-vehicle UX today, enabling seamless integration between hardware and software without major redesign for over a decade.

Core interaction patterns remain foundational across Tesla’s evolving in-vehicle systems
Intuitive UI framework for Tesla’s flagship SUV, blending performance data, media, and navigation into a seamless driver experience
Designed to support hardware-software integration without frequent updates or interface bloat

Tools & Methods

Interaction Mapping
Outlined driver touchpoints to prioritize safety, flow, and feature accessibility in motion
In-Vehicle Prototyping
Validated concepts directly within Tesla’s operating system environment using real hardware interfaces

Data-Informed Design
‍Applied vehicle telemetry and driver behavior data to inform UI priorities and feature placements
System Architecture Planning
‍Built scalable frameworks aligned with Tesla OS updates and future hardware evolutions

About

An in-vehicle interface designed to balance innovation, safety, and user clarity within a seamless, future-forward ecosystem.

As a leader in automotive innovation, Tesla needed an intuitive interface for the Model X that could seamlessly bridge advanced features with everyday usability. The system had to feel sleek, intelligent, and responsive—prioritizing safety, accessibility, and in-vehicle clarity while reinforcing Tesla’s visionary identity.

Challenge

The challenge was crafting an in-vehicle interface that could scale with evolving technology without sacrificing clarity, performance, or brand consistency.

The biggest challenge was designing an interface that could support rapid software updates, hardware evolution, and user personalization—without relying on short-lived design trends. The system needed to balance cutting-edge innovation with timeless clarity, all while enhancing the driving experience through seamless, scalable interaction.

Tesla Model X – trip Plan Experience

Designing the functional logic and interface behavior behind Tesla’s in-vehicle Trip Planner required more than good visuals—it demanded clarity, foresight, and adaptability. With every route dynamically generated based on Supercharger availability, this tool had to guide users with real-time intelligence and effortless interaction.
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I developed through design research the embedded navigation module so teams could update map data, destinations, and mileage displays without touching the underlying structure. The result is a seamless experience: enter a destination, and the system calculates everything, down to your next charging stop. It’s UX that empowers the journey—freedom to travel, backed by precision.

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Working within constraints

Designing for a constantly evolving automotive product meant working within hardware constraints while anticipating future innovation.

Seamlessly integrate UI with hardware systems like touchscreen panels and steering wheel controls
Ensure usability across diverse driver profiles and edge-case environments (day/night, motion, accessibility)
Reflect Tesla’s brand promise of efficiency, modernity, and forward-thinking performance

Highest consideration

Build an interface that could support software over-the-air updates without confusing users

Design a layout that aligned with both vehicle ergonomics and digital expectations

Quote from client
“This isn’t just about screens—it’s about creating an experience drivers don’t have to think about. Levi helped us turn complexity into something intuitive.”

Discovery

Where is the problem?

Through stakeholder interviews, automotive team workshops, and interface audits, it became clear that the real problem wasn’t feature availability—it was experience clarity. Drivers were overwhelmed by redundant options, inconsistent UI logic across features, and non-intuitive screen flows, especially while in motion. The challenge wasn’t adding more tech—it was streamlining what already existed. Our discovery phase revealed the need for a human-centered, responsive system that prioritized safety, clarity, and intuitive navigation across driving scenarios.

Solution

Built a seamless, touch-first interface for Tesla Model X that unified vehicle functions, driver feedback, and environmental controls into an intuitive, scalable system optimized for both in-motion interaction and at-rest configuration.

User experience Solution

With no prior interface to reference, the Model X required a ground-up design. We developed a dual-purpose UI—focused both on the in-vehicle drive console and on digital sales touchpoints. The system introduced intuitive controls for drivers while also guiding prospective buyers through a sleek, informative experience that aligned with Tesla’s vision of innovation, efficiency, and minimalism.

Experience Showcase

Lo-fi to Hi-fi Designs.

The final product delivered a modern, driver-first experience that balanced advanced functionality with Tesla’s clean design principles. From early wireframes to refined hi-fi mockups, the interface evolved to support both in-vehicle interactions and purchase decisions. Below are key screens that demonstrate the design evolution—from the central console UI to the Model X overview, configuration process, and key performance highlights—each crafted to scale with new features and future models.

End notes

Reflections & Takeaways

Utility Defines Luxury

Designing for Tesla meant rethinking what premium feels like. The Model X console interface wasn’t about flashy animations—it was about delivering seamless access to information and vehicle control in a way that felt effortless and precise.

Less Interface, More Experience

When the product is a vehicle, the best UI gets out of the way. The goal was not to impress the driver with design, but to empower them with confidence and clarity.

Sales & Ownership: Part of the Same Journey

By designing both the in-vehicle interface and the sales site, the experience stayed consistent—building trust before and after purchase, which ultimately strengthens the brand.

Fast Doesn't Mean Rushed

Working within Tesla’s fast-paced, minimal-waste culture meant every decision had to count. It taught me how to build quality experiences quickly without compromising on long-term value.

Tesla‍Model X UX Integration