top of page
Lynk&Co 900
Rear-control display design
overview
The Lynk & Co 900 is the brand’s flagship 6-seater SUV, designed for premium family use.
Our team was tasked with creating a seamless, personalized digital experience across all touchpoints.
I led the interaction design for the rear-control display, a hub between the second and third row that gave rear passengers comfort, control, and a personalized experience.
Role:
UX/UI- & HMI Designer
Timeline research:
6 months (3 months research & 3 months development)
Team:
-
6 UX Designers
-
HMI & UX Chief Designer- Louise Kivi
-
collaboration with our Chinese colleagues)
Project launched to the market:
28th of April 2025
THE BRIEF
We were tasked with defining how all touchpoints should serve six unique passengers, then developing interaction designs from early wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes for stakeholder testing.
the challenge
We needed to:
-
Understand the needs of six unique passengers
-
Ensure all touchpoints felt consistent and interconnected
-
Deliver functionality in a clear and user-friendly manner.
Below are some key functions for this car model
(click to enlarge each image)
We began by stepping back and looking at the entire ecosystem of screens and controls inside the 900. Our first mission was to understand how all these surfaces would relate to each other, how information and interaction would flow between them.
We mapped six unique user journeys, one for each passenger, exploring their potential needs, desires, and moments of delight during a drive.
Would the driver want fast climate control shortcuts without breaking focus?
Could a second-row passenger adjust ambient lighting without disrupting others? How might a child in the back watch a movie, play a game, or turn on their seat heating without needing help?
Below are the next three steps we took.
our approach
We began by stepping back and looking at the entire ecosystem of screens and controls inside the 900. Our first mission was to understand how all these surfaces would relate to each other, how information and interaction would flow between them.
1
3
2
4
1) Central Stack Display (CSD) 2) Rear Screen Display (RSD) 3) Driver Information Monitor (DIM) 4) Rear Control Display (RCD)
Mapping Passenger Journeys
We mapped six unique user journeys, one for each passenger, exploring their potential needs, desires, and moments of value.
Would the driver want fast climate control shortcuts without breaking focus?
Could a second-row passenger adjust ambient lighting without disrupting others?
How might a child in the back watch a movie, play a game, or turn on their seat heating without needing help?
Below are the next three steps we took.
01
Mapping the experience
02
Aligning across touchpoints
03
Dividing ownership
Uncovering Real Passenger Scenarios
Before diving into detailed design, our team moved into the Prototype Studio, a full-scale mock-up of the Lynk & Co 900 interior, complete with real seats, steering wheel, and climate functions.
This environment allowed us to test our touchpoints in context, experimenting with scenarios like reclining the seats into a bed or rotating them for easier access to a child seat.
Over several weeks, we acted out passenger journeys, uncovering pain points and opportunities that no digital wireframe could reveal alone. This hands-on exploration helped us understand the cabin as a living ecosystem, shaping the decisions that followed.
Click to enlarge the images
My role-
the rear control display
With research complete and user needs defined, each team member was assigned responsibility for a specific touchpoint. I was entrusted with the rear-control display, designed not just as an entertainment panel, but as the main hub for the rear cabin.
Its purpose was to give passengers the same level of autonomy and comfort as those in the front seats.
Functions included:
MEDIA
CONTROLS
CLIMATE
& AC CONTROL
SUNROOF SETTING
SEAT HEATING & COOLING
FRIDGE
SETTINGS
LIGHT &
AMBIENT LIGHT
VOLUME
SETTINGS
Collaboration Across Time Zones
Our team worked closely with Chinese colleagues across an 8-hour time difference.
I took the lead on coordinating my rear control display work, scheduling meetings, clarifying specifications, and sharing design files to keep progress smooth.
This experience showed me the importance of clear communication and working across cultures.
From research to validated user flows
I began by researching cultural expectations of Chinese luxury consumers and observing how second- and third-row passengers interact with in-car technology.
From there, I developed interaction scenarios, experimented with menu structures, and validated user flows to ensure the display balanced shared and individual control.
Design Challenges & Breakthroughs
The project had its share of obstacles. Initially, the rear control display was planned to be very small, so small that it would limit what we could offer in terms of quick, scannable interactions. It was a challenge to fit so many features into such a tight space without overwhelming the user.
By working closely with the technical team, I built the usability case for a larger screen. Their decision to increase the size was pivotal, enabling me to design clearer, more touch-friendly layouts.
FIRST SAMPLE
2ND SAMPLE
FINAL SCREEN SIZE
From Constraints to Customization
I created a widget-based design that let passengers rearrange functions in the order they preferred.
The new, bigger screen size improved below points:
-
Passengers could personalize their layout
-
Frequently used features were always one tap away
-
Less-used features were still easily accessible
-
Visual hierarchy improved, reducing cognitive load
Press and hold
to rearrange widgets
validation & delivery
Over the months, my rear-seat control display designs evolved from low-fidelity concepts to polished, high-fidelity interaction prototypes. At each stage, I presented updates to stakeholders for their approval before proceeding.
During the final stakeholder visit to our office, senior executives traveled from China to review our work. One of the highest-level stakeholders personally tested my clickable prototype, and observing each tap and swipe was an intense and high-pressure moment.
Seeing him navigate the interface smoothly and receiving positive feedback from both him and the wider team validated months of dedicated effort
Handover to china
At handover, our Chinese UI team finalized the visuals for production.
The final production version of the rear-seat control display and other touch points in the project underwent some visual and interaction changes and refinements after our delivery.
The core UX interactions I designed remain very close to my original concepts, and the outcomes were highly valued by both management and our Chinese colleagues, standing as a strong example of successful cross-continental collaboration.
Here is a video to give you a glimpse of the final display and its interaction and correlations to the larger Rear Screen Display.
Rear screen video
The control makes it easy and comfortable for users to access both the large rear screen and other cabin settings.
Users can adjust the fridge settings directly from the display
The Outcome &
My Achievements
Key achievements:
-
Took leadership of my assigned touchpoint from concept to delivery, with the support of an HMI & UX Chief Designer- Louise Kivi
-
Successfully advocated for hardware changes to enable a better UX
-
Designed a widget-based system that lets users customize their display.
-
Delivered a high-fidelity, stakeholder-ready prototype that was tested and praised by top management
-
Strengthened skills in multi-touchpoint UX design, interaction design leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration
My work was also recognized by leadership and peers, as reflected in the testimonials below:
Testimonials for my work: LinkedIn
Testimonials
Christine Gall
Head of HMI and UX Design at Lynk&Co Design
I highly recommend Rita for her work as a UI/UX Designer in our HMI & UX Design Department. Rita made a significant impact on a high-profile car project, where she led the interaction design for the rear-seat display, enhancing the overall user experience.
Her ability to present and pitch design concepts with clarity and engagement, along with her openness to cross-functional collaboration, made her an invaluable team member.
Rita also played a key role in developing our Smart Surface Interactive Touchpoints concept, demonstrating her creativity and dedication. She's a true asset to any team.
Louise Kivi
HMI and UX Chief Design at Lynk&Co Design
I worked with Rita at Lynk&Co Design on a high-profile automotive project, where she took on the role of UX Designer. She was responsible for the interaction design of a rear-seat display, and her contributions were consistently well-executed.
Rita was a great team player, collaborating seamlessly with our intercultural team spread across two continents. She managed to communicate effectively despite time zone differences and wasn’t afraid to ask the right questions when clarity was needed. This made her a key part of keeping the project moving forward smoothly.
If you’re looking for a dedicated, dependable UX designer who can work well within diverse teams, I highly recommend Rita.
impact
The Lynk & Co 900 was well received both inside the company and on the market.
For me, it’s a great reminder of what can happen when research, teamwork, and design come together.
my reflections
This project has been the most defining one in my UX career to date.
Coming from a background in design and product development within fashion, I was used to working in cross-functional teams, but the Lynk & Co 900 project took that to a whole new level.
We weren’t just collaborating daily with our colleagues in China; within the Lynk & Co Design building, we aligned with interior, CMF (colour, material & fabric), physical prototype, and technical teams as well.
For me, this meant taking full ownership of my assigned responsibilities, staying on top of new information that might impact my design, and ensuring my work was always ready to be shared.
What initially felt daunting was the expectation of being transparent at all times, whether presenting progress to overseas teams or discussing work with senior management at a moment’s notice.
Over time, this became one of my biggest strengths. I now enjoy presenting my work early, seeking feedback, and using it to refine and strengthen my designs.
This experience has shaped not only my confidence, but also my approach: seeing transparency and collaboration as essential drivers of great design.
bottom of page