Razr 5G Quick View Display
Do more even when the flip is closed.
Experience design, visual design, motion UX.
quick INTRO
A legacy reimagined
The Motorola Razr was more than just a phone—it was an icon. The sleek 2004 clamshell, with its elegant silhouette and external display, captured imaginations around the world. Fast forward to 2021, and the new Razr continues that tradition of surprise and elegance. When closed, it exudes poise; when open, it reveals a slim, foldable marvel. But beyond the fold, there was untapped potential: a compact external display that could transform everyday interactions.
YEAR
2020
COMPANY
MOTOROLA
AGENCY
IN HOUSE (CXD)
ROLE
EXPERIENCE DESIGN
VISUAL DESIGN
MOTION UX
CREDITS
KATHRYYN THOMAS
TIM MIES
TIM SCHAVITZ
CXD RESEARCH TEAM
MOTOROLA DEVELOPMENT TEAM
STATUS
CONCEPT AND DESIGN APPROVED
The challenge
From nostalgia to necessity
As the Razr 5G returned, user expectations evolved. The Quick View external display had to be more than a novelty—it needed to become an intuitive companion to the phone’s internal interface. Yet, delivering meaningful functionality on such a small screen required precision: each interaction had to be focused, usable, and free of clutter. The task was ambitious—designing an interface that allowed the user to do more, with less.
Goals
Clarity in complexity
• Surface useful tools and notifications without ever opening the phone.
• Guide users to focus on one task at a time, ensuring simplicity on a compact screen.
• Infuse the UI with intention—making space feel premium, interactions feel polished, and motion feel meaningful.
SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT TO NAVIGATE PANELS, AND SWIPE UP TO INTERACT WITH NOTIFICATIONS.
1. HOME SCREEN
2. CAMERA PANEL
3. COMMUNICATION SHORTCUT PANEL
4. APP SHORTCUT PANEL
5. NOTIFICATION CARDS
Strategy and direction
Crafting intentional moments
We approached the task as if designing a wearable: tiny yet powerful. Drawing inspiration from internal UI rhythms, motion design and thoughtful hierarchy became our allies. Each feature—whether a notification or map snippet—had to feel elevated, deliberate, and resonant with the Razr’s refined nature.
Explorations and design decisions
Small interactions, big impact
Initial sketches explored how users slide, tap, and pause on the external display. We imagined how glanceability could transform into action. Cards for notifications, intuitive swipe gestures, and a design that echoed the internal UI all began to crystallize.
The final key interactions included:
Notification bar & swipe actions
Users could swipe up anywhere to summon full notification functionality, mirroring internal behavior for consistency.
Quick-access panels
Two dedicated views emerged—the Communication Panel, offering instant shortcuts for calls and messages, and the app panel, where users could personalize their most used apps.
Look and feel
Every element—from motion transitions to panel aesthetics—felt present and premium, despite the small canvas.
The solution
A pocket-sized powerhouse
Moto's Quick View Display became more than a glance—it became a streamlined extension of the phone. By combining rich notifications, glanceable tools, and shortcut panels, the new UI let users tackle key tasks without ever unfolding the device. Every swipe and tap felt confident, polished, and in harmony with the Razr’s design ethos.
Impact
Unexpected gains, unmatched grace
The evolution of the external display elevated the Razr 5G into a more complete and user-centered device. By addressing pain points and introducing thoughtful interactions, we exceeded user expectations, giving them not only what they asked for but something more intuitive, delightful, and cohesive. The result was a small but powerful shift: the external display transformed from a passive surface into an active extension of the Razr, redefining how people interact with their phones in the moments that matter most.
RAZR 5G LAUNCHING CAMPAIGN
AWARDS
It’s always rewarding when a design not only moves users emotionally but also earns recognition from peers—and the Razr 5G achieved exactly that. In 2021, it was honored with a Silver Edison Award in the “Personal Technology: Design Enhancement” category, selected by a panel of over 3,000 senior executives and academics—a testament to its innovative spirit and user-focused design ethos. That same year, the Razr 5G also won the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design, lauded for its stunning clamshell foldable form and refined user experience quality. These accolades shine a light on how the device masterfully marries elegance with practicality, redefining modern mobile interaction in both form and function.
EDISON AWARDS — PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY: DESIGN ENHANCEMENT SILVER AWARD
2021
RED DOT AWARDS — PRODUCT DESIGN
2021
PROJECT GALLERY
