Cluster Prime
A digital instrument cluster for Volkswagen trucks, designed to be read in a split second — in direct sun, at night or deep into a long haul.
- Role
- HMI design & Unity development
- Context
- Volkswagen Truck & Bus
- Year
- 2024
- Stack
- Figma · Unity · Photoshop · Illustrator
Truck drivers check their instrument cluster constantly — often tired, in glaring sun or complete darkness. I designed Cluster Prime to replace analog gauges with a digital cluster where the information that matters most is always the easiest to see, then brought it to life in Unity.
Design decisions
Hierarchy first. Speed and RPM own the center. Everything else has to earn its place, and diagnostics show up as status icons only when they matter.
Contrast for every condition. A white-on-dark palette that's easy on the eyes at night and still legible in direct sunlight.
Type made for glances. Weights and sizes tuned for split-second reading at driving distance — legibility over style.
Navigation in the line of sight. Turn-by-turn directions sit at the top of the cluster, so there's no second screen to check. Drivers can set up the layout before each trip.
Volkswagen DNA. Icons follow universal conventions while carrying the brand's design language.
The outcome
A cluster that shows the right information at the right moment — designed to reduce cognitive load and keep drivers' eyes on the road.
