Custom solutions
which work and inspire.
We offer customized services in the areas of user experience (UX), user interface design (UI), and software development using web technology. Our customers benefit from our many years of experience in an industrial context, forward-looking planning, and our comprehensive understanding of service.
Our holistic approach is based on consistent user centricity and ranges from analyzing the usage context to optimizing usability and graphic design to implementation with web technology.
All services can also be booked individually and can be flexibly integrated into existing processes with interdisciplinary teams—or implemented as a complete package including project management. We generally design interfaces to be technology-neutral, taking into account the technical conditions of the respective development environments.
For each project, we put together individually tailored teams that optimally cover all the necessary skills – for cost-effective implementation and smooth project progress.
User Centricity
Our design process begins with analyzing the usage context and deriving specific usage requirements. On this basis, we design functional prototypes that are tested with real users at an early stage. This iterative process ensures that HMIs not only function technically, but are also understandable, efficient, and intuitive to use—even under stress or time pressure.
User centricity means focusing on the actual needs, abilities, and goals of the operators. This reduces training costs, lowers error rates, and increases acceptance. Especially in industrial environments with heterogeneous user groups and high reliability requirements, good usability becomes a competitive advantage. Our methodical approach—based on DIN EN ISO 9241-210—combines structure with empathy. This results in genuine usability—with added value for people and companies.
Consulting
As consultants, we support you in making informed decisions on all aspects of UX/UI design and web technologies. In strategy workshops, we contribute our experience, structure, and methods to clearly define goals and efficiently map out the path to achieving them. When planning projects, we ensure clear structures, realistic timeframes, and efficient integration of design and development phases. Whether you need us as a source of inspiration or a long-term sparring partner, we help you develop user-centered, future-proof digital products.
User Experience
Where users need to be able to operate complex systems intuitively and errors need to be minimized, investing in good UX is essential.
A user-centered design process systematically analyzes usage context and needs—from the initial idea to the tested prototype. This ensures well-founded decisions, reduces misguided developments, and creates practical products with high usability.
Analysis
During the analysis phase, we lay the foundation for a specialized and optimally user-centered operating concept. We specifically examine the function and operation of existing systems in a real usage context. We analyze technical requirements, evaluate software quality, and conduct interviews with users to understand their actual needs. In addition, we organize workshops with the manufacturer's experts. This creates a solid basis for well-founded design and concept decisions.
Material
- Project specifications
- Manuals
- Test devices, software simulation
- Corporate and industrial design guidelines
- Marketing and sales material
- Hardware and software specifications
Context of use
- Training in technology and processes
- Technical requirements
- Expert evaluation = Usability evaluation
- Context of use analysis
- Semi-structured interviews
- ISO questionnaires
Expert workshops
- Stakeholders / specialist departments
- Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering
- Software development
- Marketing, sales
- Service
- Documentation
Prototyping
In this phase, we define the usage requirements and develop the information architecture. With the help of wireframes and clickable prototypes, operating procedures are visualized and iteratively improved. Our professional outside perspective helps to break down entrenched principles and develop better solutions. The result is an interface that is intuitive, logically structured, and easy to learn. Users can reliably monitor processes, adjust parameters, quickly record messages, and efficiently troubleshoot problems—supported by clearly structured statistics and diagnostic data. This creates a positive user experience for everyone.
Usage requirements
Usability optimization
Testing
In structured usability tests, we test the operating concept with selected users—the very people who work with your machines every day. They work on predefined tasks while we observe their behavior and gain insights into their process using the “Thinking Aloud” method. In addition, we conduct interviews and use standardized ISO questionnaires to systematically identify the strengths and weaknesses of the user interface. The results are evaluated and directly incorporated into the optimization of the interface – for the most intuitive and efficient user experience possible.
User feedback
- Usability testing
- Participant observation
- Thinking aloud
- Semi-structured interviews
- ISO questionnaires
Evaluation
- Heat maps
- Statistics
- Prioritization
Optimization
- More efficient workflows
- Improved design patterns
- Adaptation Prototyping
Design
As part of our design services, we turn the operating concept into a consistent, visually sophisticated user interface. The focus here is on aesthetic aspects—what users notice first and what makes the decisive difference. Through precise interface design, finely tuned UI components, and a consistent design system, we create clarity, recognizability, and a professional appearance in line with the corporate design. Colors, shapes, sizes, and spacing are finalized for greater clarity, targeted information weighting, and a harmonious overall picture. Visual design is much more than decoration: it makes it easier to get started, strengthens identification with the product, and contributes noticeably to user satisfaction. With creative sensitivity and aesthetic expertise, we accompany our projects through to final implementation – including support during implementation.
Interfacedesign
The first step is interface design: here, we translate the global design concept into a customized corporate UI design. Existing corporate design guidelines are adopted and specifically expanded for use in user interfaces—adapted to touch operation, panel design, and industrial requirements. Global component styling is also defined here to establish a clear, consistent design language.
Styling
- Global
- Corporate UI design
- Layout, grid, colors, fonts, page types
- Components
UI Components
Based on this, we design all the specific UI components that are crucial for interaction: individual icons, special controls, explanatory illustrations, infographics, and easy-to-understand data visualizations. These ensure clarity, comprehensibility, and an optimal user experience—even in multilingual applications.
Development
- Machine-specific
- Icons
- Controls
- Illustrations
- Infographics
- Data visualization
Design System
Finally, the design is documented in a design system: with defined principles, a style guide for all visual elements, central component libraries, and transparent project documentation. This creates a scalable foundation for continuous further development—efficient, brand-compliant, and sustainable.
Documentation
- Principles (Design Patterns)
- Visual elements (style guide)
- Libraries
Support
Throughout the entire development phase, we advise the development teams, assist with the implementation of the design, accompany review processes, and ensure consistency and quality in the implementation. We also provide suitable material for marketing, create project presentations and videos for award submissions, and **support sales with product launches at trade fairs.**
Support
- Development reviews
- Optimization and expansion of documentation
- Marketing materials
- Award submissions
- Sales training and trade fair support
Development
Whether it's custom HMI projects, specific UI extensions, or getting started with HELIO, we accompany our customers from the initial idea to the productive application. Our development services include agile front-end development in web technology (React, JavaScript, TypeScript, Rust), tailor-made system integration including interface connection, and training formats for sustainable knowledge transfer within the team. Efficient, practical, and always tailored to the specific application.
With HELIO, you can develop HMIs faster, more securely, and more sustainably than with classic custom developments. Pre-built templates, standardized components, and a visual editor reduce effort, avoid errors, and enable easy scaling across product lines.
Frontend development
- Agile development in sprints (HTML5, JavaScript, Typescript, React, Rust)
- Implementation of screens, workflows, and visualizations
- Development of a configurable frontend with HELIO
- Development of prototypes and technical breakthroughs
System integration
- Connection to control systems (e.g., via OPC-UA)
- Implementation of individual interfaces and features
- Development of functional HMI prototypes in HELIO
- Taking over complete application creation
- Handover with step-by-step knowledge transfer
Training & Support
- Introductory training on HELIO (remote or on-site)
- Project-related training & technical Q&As
- Individual training content depending on requirements
- Support with project implementation using HELIO
- Support for teams & developers
Premium Project Management
With experience, vision, and genuine curiosity, we accompany our customers throughout the entire project process. We ask the right questions, think ahead, and provide targeted impetus—for maximum innovative strength. In an atmosphere of partnership and genuine team spirit, we not only achieve outstanding results, but often also form long-lasting partnerships—and even friendships. For special projects, we are happy to accompany our clients right up to the award ceremony—and celebrate their success together.
“With HMI Project, it was more than just a project from the very beginning. They were fully committed and turned an idea into something truly special. It was just a perfect fit – both professionally and personally.”
Ralf Hetzel, Project Manager GE Additive
How much does design cost?
UX/UI design is a user-centered, iterative process that contributes significantly to risk minimization in development projects. The costs depend heavily on the individual project context—e.g., the quality of the requirements, the depth of content familiarization, the number of possible iterations, and the availability of user and expert feedback.
Even short projects can create significant added value through the targeted use of methods. For more complex projects or strategic objectives, longer durations and more feedback loops may be useful.
It is crucial that the framework conditions, goals, and expectations are agreed upon in advance. The depth of processing and cost structure can be flexibly adjusted – but what is most important is experience, technical expertise, and a shared vision as a team. Because every project is different – and good UX is created through dialogue, not with a calculator.
Personal consultation
We would be happy to show you our services in a personal presentation and advise you on your project plans.
Dipl. Des. Communicationdesign (FH)
Certified Usability Engineer (Fraunhofer)
Management
Phone +49 (0) 931 45329770
hello@hmi-project.com
Structured
project management
Our process is based on many years of project experience and has proven itself in over a hundred projects. It brings together exactly what customers really need in practice – clearly structured and directly applicable.
→ Best Practice Presentation
Excellent
results
The result is award-winning user interfaces with substance. We have documented a selection of particularly representative works in detail.
→ Case Studies
Transparent
communication
Our services and references are best communicated in person. Please contact us—we look forward to scheduling an appointment with you.
→ Contact request