Empowering Users to Visualize and Customize Their Dream Homes
Time: 2023
Time: 2023
Duration: 2 months
Duration: 2 months
My role:
My role:
Sole designer of an academic mobile app project focused on streamlining home customization and improving communication between homeowners and designers.
Responsibility:
Conducted user research, interviews, contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and competitor analysis; delivered end-to-end solutions through low- to high-fidelity prototyping and usability testing.
Conducted user research, interviews, contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and competitor analysis; delivered end-to-end solutions through low- to high-fidelity prototyping and usability testing.
Time & Status:
Time & Status:
April 2023 - June 2023
April 2023 - June 2023
HIGHLIGHT
HIGHLIGHT
A stress-free, streamlined home design experience
Matching Styles
Provides users with highly accurate recommendations tailored to their preferences.
Provides users with highly accurate recommendations tailored to their preferences.
Matching styles
Matching styles
Matching styles
Adding accessories
Adding accessories
Adding accessories
Visualization Tool
Enables users to visualize and make informed decisions about design elements within their own living spaces.
Enables users to visualize and make informed decisions about design elements within their own living spaces.
Communication Platform
Bridges the gap between users and designers.
Bridges the gap between users and designers.
Finding designers
Finding designers
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
Empowering Effortless Home Design
The Challenge
"Moving into my new house was exciting, but the design process felt overwhelming. I didn’t know where to start, and every decision seemed like a mountain. Communicating my vision to the designer was even harder—I just wanted to feel confident and enjoy the process, but it became stressful and time-consuming."
– Alex, a first-time homeowner
During my internship as an interior designer, I realized Alex’s struggle was common. Many homeowners felt overwhelmed by too many choices and had difficulty communicating their vision to designers. I recognized the need for a more intuitive and streamlined approach to simplify the process.
During my internship as an interior designer, I realized Alex’s struggle was common. Many homeowners felt overwhelmed by too many choices and had difficulty communicating their vision to designers. I recognized the need for a more intuitive and streamlined approach to simplify the process.
THE PROBLEM
How might we help users more easily design and communicate their vision for a new home?
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Understanding Users: Insights from Research & Analysis
Online Review Analysis
Online Review Analysis
To gain deeper insights into the challenges and user needs within the realm of home design, I conducted an analysis of user feedback on interior design websites Houzz and HomeAdvisor.
To gain deeper insights into the challenges and user needs within the realm of home design, I conducted an analysis of user feedback on interior design websites Houzz and HomeAdvisor.
To gain deeper insights into the challenges and user needs within the realm of home design, I conducted an analysis of user feedback on interior design websites Houzz and HomeAdvisor.
Key Insights
Key Insights
I identified recurring keywords in online feedback that pointed to common frustrations and specific feature requests.
I identified recurring keywords in online feedback that pointed to common frustrations and specific feature requests.
Difficult to match the best style
Difficult to match the best style
Furniture display and layout
Need for 3D visualization
Need for inspiration and ideas
Need for professional advice
More effective communication
Comparative Analysis
Comparative Analysis
During my research, I found that people access home design information through online and offline sources. I evaluate and compare different methods to access home design solutions and identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
During my research, I found that people access home design information through online and offline sources. I evaluate and compare different methods to access home design solutions and identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Key Insights
I uncovered systemic gaps that users face throughout the process—revealing opportunities to bridge inspiration, decision-making, and execution.
I uncovered systemic gaps that users face throughout the process—revealing opportunities to bridge inspiration, decision-making, and execution.
Fragmented Experience
Fragmented Experience
Users switch between multiple sources but lack a unified way to turn inspiration into actionable plans.
One-Way Communication
Most platforms don’t support real-time interaction or personalized feedback from professionals.
Lack of Real-World Context
Users struggle to imagine how designs fit their actual space, leading to uncertainty.
Low Decision Confidence
Lack of clear guidance—especially online—makes it hard for users to make informed, confident choices.
Questionnaire
To better understand users’ experiences with home design and identify, I conducted a questionnaire focused on their satisfaction levels and past renovation outcomes.
To better understand users’ experiences with home design and identify, I conducted a questionnaire focused on their satisfaction levels and past renovation outcomes.
Top findings:
Top findings:
Top findings:
84% of users believed there was a significant gap between their design expectations and the actual user experience.
84% of users believed there was a significant gap between their design expectations and the actual user experience.
These findings confirmed that while users have clear intentions and design ideas, the final outcomes often fall short, due to a lack of planning, misalignment with emotional needs, or communication breakdowns during the process.
These findings confirmed that while users have clear intentions and design ideas, the final outcomes often fall short, due to a lack of planning, misalignment with emotional needs, or communication breakdowns during the process.
User Interview
To complement survey findings with emotional and contextual depth, I conducted semi-structured interviews with two individuals from different backgrounds.
To complement survey findings with emotional and contextual depth, I conducted semi-structured interviews with two individuals from different backgrounds.
Key Insights
These interviews both highlighted the emotional role of home, reinforcing that design must go beyond function to support users’ emotional connection, personal identity, and mental well-being. This insight will guide my future design toward better customization, considering individual preferences and personal space for each family member.
These interviews both highlighted the emotional role of home, reinforcing that design must go beyond function to support users’ emotional connection, personal identity, and mental well-being. This insight will guide my future design toward better customization, considering individual preferences and personal space for each family member.
THE USER
THE USER
Crafting User Personas
Based on research insights, I created two contrasting personas—Lisa, an urban professional seeking personal expression, and David, a family man balancing shared needs—to capture both individual and family design challenges and guide user-centered solutions.
Based on research insights, I created two contrasting personas—Lisa, an urban professional seeking personal expression, and David, a family man balancing shared needs—to capture both individual and family design challenges and guide user-centered solutions.
USER JOURNEY
USER JOURNEY
Better Communication Makes a Difference
After talking to the users, I created a user journey map to visually demonstrate the actions being taken and the thoughts behind the actions. During the process, I discovered that smooth communication significantly impacts whether the users' journey is enjoyable. This insight led me to incorporated a platform that supports collaboration between families and designers.
After talking to the users, I created a user journey map to visually demonstrate the actions being taken and the thoughts behind the actions. During the process, I discovered that smooth communication significantly impacts whether the users' journey is enjoyable. This insight led me to incorporated a platform that supports collaboration between families and designers.
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS
Identifying Pain Points and Opportunities
Key Pain Points
Among all the concerns raised, four core problems emerged as the most critical areas for improvement.
Among all the concerns raised, four core problems emerged as the most critical areas for improvement.
Overload of inspiration
Overload of inspiration
Too many options made it hard to define a clear design direction.
Lack of visualization tool
Users couldn’t preview designs in their real home context.
Finding the right team
Users struggled to identify designers who matched their needs.
Fragmented Planning & Communication
Lack of coordination led to delays and confusion.
Design features
Design features
Design features
Building on insights from user research, I distilled three essential design directions: a curated style library for inspiration, channels for professional communication, and tools to visualize home design.
Building on insights from user research, I distilled three essential design directions: a curated style library for inspiration, channels for professional communication, and tools to visualize home design.
Style Discovery
Style Discovery
Filter and save preferred styles through a curated inspiration library
Professional Communication
Professional Communication
Connect with designers, manage meetings, and track progress
Home Visualization
Home Visualization
Preview accessories in real home environment
USER FLOW
USER FLOW
Inspiration, Planning, Customization, and Collaboration
Flow 1. Finding examples and matching design styles
Flow 1. Finding examples and matching design styles
Flow 1. Finding examples and matching design styles
This flow is designed to provide users with inspiration, helping them find styles that match their preferences through browsing various design examples. Users can then save their favorite designs into a list for future use, ensuring that their home renovation project stays aligned with their personal taste and needs.
This flow is designed to provide users with inspiration, helping them find styles that match their preferences through browsing various design examples. Users can then save their favorite designs into a list for future use, ensuring that their home renovation project stays aligned with their personal taste and needs.
Flow 2. My design plan
Flow 2. My design plan
Flow 2. My design plan
This flow is designed to offer users a personalized sketchbook where they can create a design mock-up for their spaces. Users can customize accessories, wallpaper, lighting, and flooring within their rooms, allowing them to visualize the rendering effect. This tool enhances communication with designers by providing a clear visual representation of the user's preferences and ideas.
This flow is designed to offer users a personalized sketchbook where they can create a design mock-up for their spaces. Users can customize accessories, wallpaper, lighting, and flooring within their rooms, allowing them to visualize the rendering effect. This tool enhances communication with designers by providing a clear visual representation of the user's preferences and ideas.
Flow 3. Customizing home information
Flow 3. Customizing home information
Flow 3. Customizing home information
This flow is designed to help users create an archive folder that stores information about their family and home. Users can save and organize examples they’ve collected, input detailed home and family information, and easily access this data for future reference.
This flow is designed to help users create an archive folder that stores information about their family and home. Users can save and organize examples they’ve collected, input detailed home and family information, and easily access this data for future reference.
Flow 4. Meeting designer
Flow 4. Meeting designer
Flow 4. Meeting designer
This flow is designed to create a platform that enhances communication between the family, designer, and workers. It includes a virtual meeting room where users can conduct remote meetings, collaborate on a shared idea board, and perform remote site visits via video calls.
This flow is designed to create a platform that enhances communication between the family, designer, and workers. It includes a virtual meeting room where users can conduct remote meetings, collaborate on a shared idea board, and perform remote site visits via video calls.
USABILITY TESTING
USABILITY TESTING
Refining Filters, Designer Features, and Progress Tracking
During the development of the Nest app, usability testing emerged as a pivotal process in refining the user experience and addressing key pain points identified in the home design industry.
During the development of the Nest app, usability testing emerged as a pivotal process in refining the user experience and addressing key pain points identified in the home design industry.
Takeaway:
Takeaway:
Takeaway:
Users were overwhelmed by the app's filter system due to the excessive number of style recommendation options.
Users were overwhelmed by the app's filter system due to the excessive number of style recommendation options.
Users want designer recommendations relevant to their search and prefer to see detailed profiles showcasing designers' past experience.
Users want designer recommendations relevant to their search and prefer to see detailed profiles showcasing designers' past experience.
Users want designer recommendations relevant to their search and prefer to see detailed profiles showcasing designers' past experience.
Users want designer recommendations relevant to their search and prefer to see detailed profiles showcasing designers' past experience.
Users want to track design progress over time with better time management.
Users want to track design progress over time with better time management.
Suggestion:
Suggestion:
Suggestion:
Refined the filters to prioritize accuracy and relevance by limiting options for room type, color, and size.
Refined the filters to prioritize accuracy and relevance by limiting options for room type, color, and size.
Add a designer recommendation feature to the design plan, include design stories in designer profiles, and display client feedback.
Add a designer recommendation feature to the design plan, include design stories in designer profiles, and display client feedback.
Add a progress checklist to the chatting interface, allowing users to track design milestones and updates in real time.
Add a progress checklist to the chatting interface, allowing users to track design milestones and updates in real time.
Add a calendar feature to track important deadlines, helping users stay updated on their design project's progress.
Add a calendar feature to track important deadlines, helping users stay updated on their design project's progress.
PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE
Personalization, Visualization, and Collaboration
Finding design styles
Unlocking Design Style Discovery with an Intuitive Filter System
Finding design styles
Unlocking Design Style Discovery with an Intuitive Filter System
Finding design styles
Unlocking Design Style Discovery with an Intuitive Filter System
Users can easily find their ideal design style using a streamlined filter system that tailors options to their project parameters. This facilitates a more efficient selection process and opens avenues for inspiration.
Users can easily find their ideal design style using a streamlined filter system that tailors options to their project parameters. This facilitates a more efficient selection process and opens avenues for inspiration.
Finding matched designer
Identifying a match through compatibility in passion, style, and expertise
Finding matched designer
Identifying a match through compatibility in passion, style, and expertise
The designer's profile showcases their passion, approach, and design philosophy, along with a curated selection of their best work, highlighting their diverse skills. This helps users find a designer whose style and expertise match their needs. The before-and-after storyboard, along with client feedback and testimonials, offers social proof of the designer's abilities and professionalism.
The designer's profile showcases their passion, approach, and design philosophy, along with a curated selection of their best work, highlighting their diverse skills. This helps users find a designer whose style and expertise match their needs. The before-and-after storyboard, along with client feedback and testimonials, offers social proof of the designer's abilities and professionalism.
Adding accessories in real home setting
Empowers users to customize spaces in real home settings
Adding accessories in real home setting
Empowers users to customize spaces in real home settings
By integrating accessories with real home references, users can virtually visualize how they will look in their spaces before making purchases. This feature helps with decision-making by offering a realistic preview, allowing users to customize and experiment with different options, colors, and styles. It also assesses the scale and proportion of accessories within the existing layout, ensuring a harmonious fit in the final design.
By integrating accessories with real home references, users can virtually visualize how they will look in their spaces before making purchases. This feature helps with decision-making by offering a realistic preview, allowing users to customize and experiment with different options, colors, and styles. It also assesses the scale and proportion of accessories within the existing layout, ensuring a harmonious fit in the final design.
Meeting designers
Meetings facilitate and guide the design process
Meeting designers
Meetings facilitate and guide the design process
Designers can use meetings to present design concepts, mood boards, and 3D visualizations, helping users visualize and provide feedback. Meetings also allow for the discussion of incorporating personal items, choosing materials and colors, and assessing the space to create a design that maximizes its potential.
Designers can use meetings to present design concepts, mood boards, and 3D visualizations, helping users visualize and provide feedback. Meetings also allow for the discussion of incorporating personal items, choosing materials and colors, and assessing the space to create a design that maximizes its potential.
Following up with design schedule
Timely updates and discussions ensure effective project monitoring
Following up with design schedule
Timely updates and discussions ensure effective project monitoring
Meeting and communicating with workers allows for detailed planning of the construction or renovation process. Workers can discuss task sequences, allocate resources, and set timelines. Regular updates help designers and project managers stay informed and address issues promptly. Meetings also provide a chance to review quality expectations, including material standards and craftsmanship, ensuring the final result aligns with the design vision.
Meeting and communicating with workers allows for detailed planning of the construction or renovation process. Workers can discuss task sequences, allocate resources, and set timelines. Regular updates help designers and project managers stay informed and address issues promptly. Meetings also provide a chance to review quality expectations, including material standards and craftsmanship, ensuring the final result aligns with the design vision.
Customized home information
Personalized information ensures practicality and optimal outcomes
Customized home information
Personalized information ensures practicality and optimal outcomes
Incorporating customized home information, like family size, lifestyle habits, and daily routines, ensures the design is practical and functional. It also considers potential lifestyle changes, ensuring the home remains adaptable over time. Integrating details about hobbies and preferences allows for personal elements, such as a dedicated workspace or display area for collections.
Incorporating customized home information, like family size, lifestyle habits, and daily routines, ensures the design is practical and functional. It also considers potential lifestyle changes, ensuring the home remains adaptable over time. Integrating details about hobbies and preferences allows for personal elements, such as a dedicated workspace or display area for collections.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Designing the Nest app has been a transformative journey, shaped by my experiences as an interior designer and driven by a passion for addressing the common challenges faced by clients and designers in the home design industry.
Designing the Nest app has been a transformative journey, shaped by my experiences as an interior designer and driven by a passion for addressing the common challenges faced by clients and designers in the home design industry.
Empathy-Driven Design Approach
Empathy-Driven Design Approach
The goal of improving home design and customization shaped the app's development. Using my client experience, I focused on understanding the needs and challenges of both clients and designers. This led to features like an enhanced filter system, visualization tool, and communication platform to address industry challenges.4o mini
The goal of improving home design and customization shaped the app's development. Using my client experience, I focused on understanding the needs and challenges of both clients and designers. This led to features like an enhanced filter system, visualization tool, and communication platform to address industry challenges.4o mini
Continuous Iteration and Improvement
Continuous Iteration and Improvement
Throughout the design process, I focused on continuous improvement by gathering feedback from users, designers, and industry experts. Usability testing provided valuable insights into user behavior, guiding iterative enhancements to the app's functionality. This approach ensured the Nest app continually evolves to meet the changing needs and expectations of users and designers.
Throughout the design process, I focused on continuous improvement by gathering feedback from users, designers, and industry experts. Usability testing provided valuable insights into user behavior, guiding iterative enhancements to the app's functionality. This approach ensured the Nest app continually evolves to meet the changing needs and expectations of users and designers.
Opportunities
Opportunities
Opportunities
Integration of Machine Learning for Personalized Design Advice
Integration of Machine Learning for Personalized Design Advice
Integrating machine learning will enhance the system's ability to provide personalized design advice. By analyzing user-input keywords and engaging in virtual dialogue, the system will become a more intuitive design companion, offering tailored guidance and transforming the user experience into a highly personalized, expert-led journey.
Integrating machine learning will enhance the system's ability to provide personalized design advice. By analyzing user-input keywords and engaging in virtual dialogue, the system will become a more intuitive design companion, offering tailored guidance and transforming the user experience into a highly personalized, expert-led journey.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Immersive Interaction
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Immersive Interaction
In the future, we can further enhance the visualization tool by advancing our use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and other immersive technologies. Users will be able to fully immerse themselves in virtual environments, experiencing and visualizing their design choices in real time, overcoming the limitations of traditional design presentations.
In the future, we can further enhance the visualization tool by advancing our use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and other immersive technologies. Users will be able to fully immerse themselves in virtual environments, experiencing and visualizing their design choices in real time, overcoming the limitations of traditional design presentations.
Next project:
Next project:
Next project:
© Jinlan Huang 2024
© Jinlan Huang 2024
© Jinlan Huang 2024