Overview
Over a few years at Big Dreams Studio, I had the chance to partner with Collins to conceptualize, design and produce key elements of the ADAPT™ user interface that supports passenger experience, and the Galley.ai system that enhances crew efficiency, communications, and streamlines service delivery. The resulting work has won two Crystal Cabin Awards and one honorable mention at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany.
TEAM
Kit Son Lee, Arvind Bhallamudi, Laila Aukee, Alyssa Bishop, Pheonix Gao, Jae Yoon Myung, Jack Lenk, Nick Scappaticci
MY ROLE: UX Designer
Conducted research and analysis, supported the design team on accessibility research, and developed a 2.0 version of UI architecture of both passenger and crew applications.
KEY SKILLS
COLLINS AEROSPACE (AIX) | 2024-2025
CHALLENGES
Discovering Travel Needs & Human-Centered Gaps
When Collins invited us to envision the possibilities in a digitally-enabled cabin environment, we worked jointly to define a product & service strategy with distinct value propositions for passengers, crew and maintenance. By focusing on human benefits first we were able to gain clarity on the 'why', which in turn gave purpose and reason to the 'what' and the 'how' that technology could solve. Our investigation objectives spanned three categories:
RESEARCH
Re-approaching Previous Work
Our work from 2023 used scenario-based storytelling and visually and functionally accurate and accessible interface design to prototype use cases for InteliSence™, an AI/ML system that anticipates passenger meal and service requests in real time, and set the foundation for building additional service features on it. ​ We used this to develop an iterative design process supported continuous research and feedback to evolve the technology solutions, now focusing on accessibility and clarity, in concert with other cabin interior components.
John Morris, accessible travel advocate and founder of wheelchairtravel.org, advised on designing solutions for people with mobility issues and age related difficulties, where digital systems in current spaces need to support physical service delivery.
STRATEGY
Information Architecture & Accessibility Features
In 2024, I focused my contributions on personalization of the passenger experience through the ADAPT™ system, empowering travelers to enjoy a range of mobility, sensory, cognitive and language accommodations through this platform.
Our studio partnered with the Institute for Human Centered Design to provide subject matter expertise on inclusive design and accessibility of the user interface. This helped us go beyond baseline legibility standards, to consider issues of cognitive complexity, the effects of color and lighting on stress management, and practical implementation of American Sign Language interpretation. This is paired with accessibility in legibility, color contrast, large icons, and user flows that support intuitive, convenient interactions.
DESIGNS
User Experience Design & AI-Driven Tools
The crew application from Intellisense was subsequently updated with new UI systems for accessibility features and service requests, and consolidated with the visual language of passenger application to create a single brand identity.
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The latest version, in 2025, Collins Aerospace galley.ai, further enhances crew efficiency and passenger communication by using AI-driven galley management and sensor systems to streamline onboard meal service preparation, monitor equipment safety and maintenance issues, and improve overall flight experiences.
Our studio partnered with OCTO Product Development to build a functioning prototype that integrates galley equipment, crew tools, and cabin interfaces, along with the passenger communication platform. The system tracks orders and inventory in real time, enables dynamic service updates, and provides direct information to passengers during the flight. ​
"We're essentially creating an intelligent assistant that works alongside cabin crew to streamline their most demanding tasks," explains Jeff McKee, who leads the Customer Experience Design group. "The goal is to create a smoother and more effective work environment for crew."
ADAPT™, Passenger Application
In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) Screen
Galley.ai, Crew Application
IMPACT
A Multi Award-Winning Cabin Application
A functional prototype of the ADAPT passenger system won a 2023 Crystal Cabin Award in the Passenger Comfort category. Galley.ai won the 2025 Crystal Cabin Award in the Cabin Technologies category.
“The jury was particularly impressed by the ability of galley.ai to integrate multiple information streams, system modules and components, harnessing AI in a way that lowers crew workload.”
— Angus Baigent, Crystal Cabin Award
