MAG Motoren – Fire Brigade Generator Redesign
Industrial Design & Embedded Interface Design
As part of a freelance project with MAG Motoren GmbH, I worked on the redesign of a petrol generator for fire brigades according to DIN 14685-1. The goal was to modernize both the product design and the user interface while ensuring reliability, clarity, and ease of use in demanding emergency situations.
The project began with research and stakeholder interviews, including discussions to better understand real-world usage scenarios, operational constraints, and safety requirements. These insights informed the development of three industrial design concepts, exploring different approaches to housing structure, ergonomics, and the placement of controls and sockets.
After concept evaluation, one design direction was selected and further refined. I optimized the generator housing, control layout, and component positioning to improve usability, accessibility, and space efficiency. Several color variants aligned with DIN standards and safety guidelines were also developed.
In addition to the industrial design work, I designed the embedded control interface for the generator display. This included the creation of a 12-screen interactive prototype, progressing from mid-fidelity concepts to high-fidelity UI designs. The interface covers multiple system states—including normal operation, warnings, and error conditions—and follows WCAG accessibility principles to ensure clarity and readability in high-stress environments.
Throughout the project, I coordinated stakeholder communication and design reviews and worked closely with the Codesys developer to ensure a smooth implementation. Final UI assets and documentation were prepared as part of the design handoff for development.
This project allowed me to combine industrial design, UX/UI design, and embedded interface design to create a cohesive product experience tailored to professional emergency responders.
Impact:
- Improved usability and clarity of the control interface for emergency operation scenarios
- Delivered a modernized product design aligned with operational and safety standards
- Created a structured WCAG-based UI concept supporting multiple system states (normal, warning, error)
- Enabled smoother implementation through early collaboration with the embedded software developer
MAG Motoren – Fire Brigade Generator Redesign
Industrial Design & Embedded Interface Design
As part of a freelance project with MAG Motoren GmbH, I worked on the redesign of a petrol generator for fire brigades according to DIN 14685-1. The goal was to modernize both the product design and the user interface while ensuring reliability, clarity, and ease of use in demanding emergency situations.
The project began with research and stakeholder interviews, including discussions to better understand real-world usage scenarios, operational constraints, and safety requirements. These insights informed the development of three industrial design concepts, exploring different approaches to housing structure, ergonomics, and the placement of controls and sockets.
After concept evaluation, one design direction was selected and further refined. I optimized the generator housing, control layout, and component positioning to improve usability, accessibility, and space efficiency. Several color variants aligned with DIN standards and safety guidelines were also developed.
In addition to the industrial design work, I designed the embedded control interface for the generator display. This included the creation of a 12-screen interactive prototype, progressing from mid-fidelity concepts to high-fidelity UI designs. The interface covers multiple system states—including normal operation, warnings, and error conditions—and follows WCAG accessibility principles to ensure clarity and readability in high-stress environments.
Throughout the project, I coordinated stakeholder communication and design reviews and worked closely with the Codesys developer to ensure a smooth implementation. Final UI assets and documentation were prepared as part of the design handoff for development.
This project allowed me to combine industrial design, UX/UI design, and embedded interface design to create a cohesive product experience tailored to professional emergency responders.
Impact:
- Improved usability and clarity of the control interface for emergency operation scenarios
- Delivered a modernized product design aligned with operational and safety standards
- Created a structured WCAG-based UI concept supporting multiple system states (normal, warning, error)
- Enabled smoother implementation through early collaboration with the embedded software developer
Challenges & Constraints
Challenges & Constraints
Designing a product for fire brigade use involves several unique challenges:
- Operational stress
Firefighters must be able to operate the generator quickly and reliably in high-pressure emergency situations. - Environmental conditions
The interface must remain usable in poor lighting, outdoor environments, and while wearing gloves. - Technical limitations
The embedded display system and integration with the Codesys control system imposed constraints on screen resolution, interaction patterns, and system feedback. - Regulatory requirements
The generator design had to comply with DIN 14685-1 standards, which influence color schemes, labeling, and safety communication. - Hardware integration
The interface design needed to work seamlessly with the physical control elements and socket layout of the generator housing.
These constraints shaped both the industrial design decisions and the interaction design of the interface, ensuring the final concept supports fast comprehension, safe operation, and clear system feedback.
Designing a product for fire brigade use involves several unique challenges:
- Operational stress
Firefighters must be able to operate the generator quickly and reliably in high-pressure emergency situations. - Environmental conditions
The interface must remain usable in poor lighting, outdoor environments, and while wearing gloves. - Technical limitations
The embedded display system and integration with the Codesys control system imposed constraints on screen resolution, interaction patterns, and system feedback. - Regulatory requirements
The generator design had to comply with DIN 14685-1 standards, which influence color schemes, labeling, and safety communication. - Hardware integration
The interface design needed to work seamlessly with the physical control elements and socket layout of the generator housing.
These constraints shaped both the industrial design decisions and the interaction design of the interface, ensuring the final concept supports fast comprehension, safe operation, and clear system feedback.
