RENOVATEMATE
An End-To-End Application design that
connects Designers and Homeowners
Let’s work together !
Scope:
End-to-End Application
Researcher / Visual Designer / UI / UX Designer
Researcher / Visual Designer / UI / UX Designer
Role:
Figma / Chat GPT / MidJourney / Maze / Tinder
Tools:
5 weeks
Duration:
Project Overview
Background
RenovateMate is an application designed to pair interior designers, architects, and other sub-contractors, with the perfect prospective candidates.
Like any relationship, both parties want to guarantee synchrony between their values, needs, and intentions. The relationship between a designer or contractor and their client is as intimate as a personal relationship, seeing as it also deals with the home, large swathes of money, and high-stress deadlines that can bring out less-than-favorable emotions in all parties involved. That sounds a lot like a marriage, no ? So why don’t we apply the same vetting standards we apply to prospective suitors to prospective clients or professionals ? What if there was a way to best ensure the people you work with are as suitable as the people you choose to court ?
Building from the popularity of dating applications (amassing a total global revenue of 4.94 billion dollars in 2022), the RenovateMate UI is designed to appeal to the familiarity of these programs. Currently there are platforms designed to generate more leads for interior designers, but they lack the ability for designers to procure their leads, and from a client standpoint, they lack the ability to evaluate personal attributes of the designers they may contract.
Objective
Design an application that works much like some of the most popular dating applications, pairing interior designers, architects, and other sub-contractors with the most suitable clients. Clients and Professionals have their own hubs that detail their needs and services, personality types, portfolio, home photos, and other details that are needed to vet both clients and professionals.
The growth of design establishments has also represented another challenge for designers. Since 2017, the number of firms have increased by 17.9% since 2010, and within the next 4 years is expected to rise another 11.5%.
The growth of design establishments has also represented another challenge for designers.
Since 2017, the number of firms have increased by 17.9% since 2010, and within the next 4 years is expected to rise another 11.5%.
The growth of design establishments has also represented another challenge for designers.
Since 2017, the number of firms have increased by 17.9% since 2010, and within the next 4 years is expected to rise another 11.5%.
Designers across the industry have seen a rise in the level of customer demands and expectations. From simple statements like “Make it more good” to requests for the near impossible, for example, Lydia Marks, Marks & Frantz, New York:
"I decorated both 'Sex and the City' films and I've had numerous requests to recreate Carrie Bradshaw's entire apartment. They want everything from the blue paint color of her walls to the smallest details, like the orange flip clock next to her bed."
The current pace of change has had a huge impact on the interior design world. A recent statement by Interior Designer Barbara Koi summed it up best:
“My biggest challenge is staying abreast of new products hitting the market. My clients are looking for one-of-a-kind solutions and they expect to be presented with the latest choices available in every category. Whether it’s the latest kitchen and bath technology, or the most unique lighting, or the newest developments in wall coverings, I have to be vigilant in finding the unique products that reflect their tastes.”
Many consumers are still leery of costs when it comes to spending on their homes.
One interior designer reported being asked "Can you bill your design time in 6 minute increments". Why are so many designers finding their clientele becoming harder to satisfy and work with? One major reason may be the fact that there is a perceived lack of value associated with interior designers by most consumers In fact a recent study showed that 63.9% of interior designers believe that the public does not understand the true value of design services which leads us to or final area.
69.4% of designers agreed that they were increasingly pressed for time to meet client demands But even worse - 63.9% stated that clients do not understand the time needed for design services.
95% of customers share bad experiences with others
45% of customers share negative reviews on social media
18% of customers indicated they would seek “revenge” online by posting a review
16% would use social media after an unsatisfactory company interaction
59% of those between 25-34 would take revenge online
And those negative posts work:
86% of consumers are influenced by negative reviews
It’s clear the issues behind most of designer dilemma’s in regards to clientele stems from a lack of synchronicity between the designer and the homeowner. Much like a romantic relationship - if the two parties are not aligned, the pairing is not copasetic.
Looking at the relationship between a design professional and a homeowner much like a romantic relationship, I began to create an application that matches designers and prospective clients much like some of the most popular dating applications on market.
Building from the popularity of dating applications (amassing a total global revenue of 4.94 billion dollars in 2022), the RenovateMate UI is designed to appeal to the familiarity of these programs.
What other challenges do we see ?
GROWING COMPETITION
THE COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS IS ON
THE RISE !!
MANAGING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS !!
STAYING CURRENT !
CLIENTS ARE UNWILLING TO SPEND !!
DESIGNERS HAVE LESS TIME !!
CONSUMERS CAN BE VENGEFUL !!
Our Attempt at a Solution: A Discussion
Define
Research Plan
To Begin the project, I will perform written and verbal interviews with homeowners in pursuit of designer and sub-contractor services, and interior designers looking to generate more leads. I will also perform market research on the expansion of designer and sub-contractor services, the existing websites and applications designers use to generate leads, and the dating application market to see what generates the popularity and success of these programs so we may emulate it in our application. Finally, Usability Tests will be conducted to evaluate the successes and deficiencies of our application, so the final prototype meets the needs to the two user-types that will explore the program - Clients and Professionals.
Research Goals
Understand the business needs of Designers and Contractors, particularly when it comes to lead generation, and the successes and deficiencies of client retention.
Understand the business needs of Designers and Contractors when it comes to the materials and other details they want clients to see before they’re considered.
Understand the needs of homeowners seeking designer and contractor services. What do they need to know from the professionals end so they make a clear decision on who to contract.
What is the most common reason for Clients and Professionals to work together / to not work together.
How can the UI designed for dating applications now be used to pair Clients and Professionals and ensure successful home renovations.
Methodologies
Written and Verbal User Interviews. The two User-types will be categorized as Client and Professional.
Market Research to evaluate who potential competitors may be, and what are their successes and deficiencies.
Market Research on the current Interior Designer and Contractor industry. Notes will be taken on market growth, market statistics, and trends seen in business needs.
Market Research on the UI / UX of current dating apps to emulate their design parameters.
Usability Testing via Maze
Secondary Research
Market Research
Designers face a variety of challenges in building a client base. Whether it’s facing increased competition from other designers, current projects taking time away from marketing campaigns, unrealistic client expectations, stubborn client personality types, or failure to earn viable referrals. As someone who has worked as an Interior Designer for 6 years, I can attest to these obstacles.
According to IBIS World the interior design industry includes companies engaged in planning, designing, and administering projects in interior spaces to meet the physical and aesthetic needs of people using them, taking into consideration building codes, health and safety regulations, traffic patterns and floor plannings, mechanical and electrical needs, and interior fittings and furnishings.
Currently the market size of the interior design industry is set at a revenue of 26 billion USD in 2023, a 0.4% increase since 2022, and a 4.8% since 2017. North America continues to remain the largest market, and the Covid-19 pandemic response only exacerbated the needs of the industry. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 51% of interior designers adapted to the new demands set by the pandemic as consumption habits changed and homeowners began to redesign their homes.
Mordor Intelligence Market Analysis noted a growth in commercial and co-working spaces as these spaces require interior designers, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities are nothing a growth in the number of interior designers. The analysis also notes the public sector is driving the demand for the increase in interior design services, while residential interior has posed some challenges due to market saturation, and the difficulty in building a client base as younger home owners see a diminishing need for interior designers.
Primary Research
User Interviews
User Feedback
Specify which of the following best describes you:
Interior Designer
Landscape Designer
Architect
Contractor
Painter / Wallcovering Installer
Homeowner
For Designers:
Describe your business.
Describe your marketing strategy / your strategy to gain more client leads.
Are you finding leads via social media marketing, Houzz, word-of-mouth, etc ?
Do you find it easy to connect with leads / prospective clients ?
Do you find that you have more prospective clients drop-off than you retain ?
Do you find it easy to build relationships with clients ? Why or why not ? Specific example ?
Do you find that clients grasp your design style or aesthetic perspective quickly, or does it take time for them to get on board with your vision ?
Do you have difficulty in clients understanding it is what you do ?
What are some other pain points you have when generating leads ?
What would you want to see in an application designed to pair you with prospective leads ?
What do you want leads to supply before you can consider them viable clients ?
What are some other aspects of a leads personality you’d like to know before connecting with them ? Hobbies, socio-political views, personality type, references etc ?
Are there any other thoughts you’d like to express ?
For Homeowners:
Describe your current renovation needs, if any.
If you have no current renovation needs, describe past experiences. Were they favorable ?
How well do you think you are educated on the interior designing / contracting process ?
How well do you think you know project budgets, project timelines, and project terminology.
What do you look for when hiring design or contract professionals ? Do you want to see professional portfolios, do you want to have professionals with notoriety, do you seek a particular aesthetic, are their fees important to you, do you look for professionals that have been recommended by close contacts, etc ?
What else do you need design or contract professionals before you can work with them ?
What other personal attributes are important to you when selecting a design or contract professional ?
Do you prefer to have closer, personable relationships with the professionals you select ?
Are you able to admit to personality traits that professionals should be made privy to ? Personality type, your level of involvement in the project, patience level, etc ?
Are you able to express your opinions and intentions well enough that a designer or contractor can understand ?
What would you want to see in an application that is intended to connect designer professionals with homeowners ?
Are there any other thoughts you’d like to express ?
A total of 4 individuals were interviewed. 2 Interior Designers, and 2 Homeowners.
Ideate
User Persona
With the data gathered from Primary research and secondary research, I developed one user perspective of the audience.
Project Goal
With the user assessments and an evaluation of the businesses needs, I was able to define goals for the project which it will also be a guide to the project.
As mentioned, the proposal for this application was to replicate the interface and functions of the most popular dating applications, and allowing the relationships settled to be between design professionals and homeowners.
To make sure the application benefited these personas, I made sure that the application could:
Account for design styles, personality attributes, location, and take note if homeowners are ready to begin project work immediately, have ever worked with a designer, and have some understanding of what interior design entails.
Display the most pertinent photos so designers can display some of their work, and homeowners could display the spaces they need attention to.
Match designers and homeowners by algorithmically pairing them based on their design styles, personality types, location, and project needs, then empowering each party to select from these matches if they ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ the individual recommended, much like a dating application.
A way to categorize and save the ‘Matches’ made
A chat feature so designers and homeowners may communicate without exchanging any sensitive contact details
Site Map
With the help of product roadmap, I was able to visualize primary features’ relationship between content along and arrange the hierarchy.
Mid-Fi Wireframes
Design
User Flow
Based of task flow, I was able to map out user flows depending on the scenario and in order to complete a given task for the user.
Before iterating the final prototypes, I created these wireframes to set the design and use as platforms for users to test my design. These are the barebones !
All other designer parameters of the Homeowner variant of the application are nearly identical to the Designer variant of the application, save for some differences in verbiage. These differences will be shown in the Final Prototype.
After you’ve gone through the preliminary on-boarding questions, you will be prompted to answer the following....
Let’s first explore the Homeowner route . . .
Full View
Your personal messaging center..
A log of the Homeowners
you’ve Matched with..
Here you can accept or reject a proposed profile.
If you Reject a profile, a new one will be proposed on-screen.
Then you may use the Navigation below to explore.
Usability Testing
Tasks to Complete
These Mid-fi prototypes were used to conduct our Usability Tests via Maze.
Evaluating the Prototype via Usability Tests:
Before testing to participants, I created a usability testing plan to define what I want to test and what I need to iterate. I conducted 2 online unmoderated usability tests via Maze wherein each participant had to complete the following:
Evaluate the Designer Path
Evaluate the Homeowner Path
Specifically I had the Interior Designers I previously interviewed evaluate the Designer Path, and the Homeowners I previously interviewed evaluate the Homeowner Path.
Then I requested participants familiar with the standards of UI and UX evaluate the standards of the application to ensure my design aligned with industry standards.
Final Prototype
Sign-Up Process / Account Creation
Using the Application
Once your profile has been completed and you select ‘Done’ you will be taken to see what your Profile page looks like to Users.
From here the application deviates contingent on whether you select
Let’s first explore the Designer route . . .
After you’ve gone through the preliminary on-boarding questions, you will be prompted to answer the following....
CONTINUE AS DESIGNER
OR
CONTINUE AS HOMEOWNER
While developing this application, my main goal was to allow people to connect on a professional level, that could blossom into something more significant, and cater to the social and emotional needs professionals and individuals needing their services require.
I envision the application will utilize a growing AI to identify personality types, content, and values to better reflect the desires of the users. Human staff would be involved in the moderation process, but ultimately the new filters would increase the intelligence of the AI.
Next Steps:
Future iterations would expand the evaluation process of homeowners that can further identify their pain points, and their level of design proficiency. I want to continue to cater to designer needs in being strict about the type of clients can interact with them. A stricter process ensures clients are further vetted, and designers utilizing the services of this application are satisfied and don’t feel bombarded by more nuisances.
On the designer’s end, future iterations would allow for video uploads for designers to introduce themselves, and have a project reel. Additionally to ensure that the application is reserved for professionals, I would have designer’s upload their accreditation and a back-end team ensure they are valid professionals, so we can avoid scammers from creating profiles.
Reflection
Full View
Sign-Up Process / Account Creation
Let’s first explore the Designer route . . .
Fit View
Personal Profile View
Then you may use the Navigation below to explore.
Fit View
Full View
Here Designers are shown Homeowner Profiles they can ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’. If a profile is rejected, a new one will be recommended. If approved and this profile Matches with you, you both will receive a notification that you have ‘Matched’ and each other’s Profile will be visible in the ‘Matches’ Page.
Full View
Fit View
Personal Profile View
Much like the Designer Profile, the application appearance is nearly identical in the Homeowner variant. The most prominent differences are the Designer profiles you will swipe through, and the verbiage used.
Fit View
Full View
Let’s first explore the Homeowner route . . .
The Homeowner Profile creation is nearly identical to the Designer Profile creation with the exception of the framing pertaining to a Homeowner, the biggest differences are in the screens below which ask a Homeowner different questions and their level of design proficiency:
Here Homeowners are shown Designer Profiles they can ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’. If a profile is rejected, a new one will be recommended. If approved and this profile Matches with you, you both will receive a notification that you have ‘Matched’ and each other’s Profile will be visible in the ‘Matches’ Page.