Introducing Deco: AI interior designer
Introducing Deco: AI interior designer
Deco on iOS is an AI interior design app that allows users to upload photos of their interior and redesign it using generative AI tools. It is live on the app store and available in the US and Canada.
My work: I was the sole designer working on this project. I worked on everything from user research, to conceptualization ,wireframing and prototyping, all the way up until user testing and releasing the app on iOS
Deco on iOS is an AI interior design app that allows users to upload photos of their interior and redesign it using generative AI tools. It is live on the app store and available in the US and Canada.
My work: I was the sole designer working on this project. I worked on everything from user research, to conceptualization ,wireframing and prototyping, all the way up until user testing and releasing the app on iOS
My role
My role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Project
Project
Professional work
Professional work
Timeline
Timeline
4 months (Jan - July 2024)
4 months (Jan - July 2024)
Tools used
Tools used
Figma, LottieFiles Adobe Illustrator, SVGator
Figma, LottieFiles Adobe Illustrator, SVGator
"Hmm… I wonder how much it would cost for an Interior Designer to redesign my living room…."
"Hmm… I wonder how much it would cost for an Interior Designer to redesign my living room…."
"NO WAY!? It's way too expensive! There's got to be a way I can do this on my own…."
"NO WAY!? It's way too expensive! There's got to be a way I can do this on my own…."
What was the problem?
What was the problem?
What was the problem?
Interior designers charge between $100-$1500 for simple conceptual moodboards and renders of interior spaces
There weren't any easy to use DIY interior design tool on the market
Interior designers charge between $100-$1500 for simple conceptual moodboards and renders of interior spaces
There weren't any easy to use DIY interior design tool on the market
We surveyed a 100 homeowners across the US and Canada
We surveyed a 100 homeowners across the US and Canada
We surveyed a 100 homeowners across the US and Canada
Said they were willing to design their interiors themselves
Said they were willing to design their interiors themselves
Had taken on a small DIY interior project at home
Had taken on a small DIY interior project at home
What does this mean?
What does this mean?
A lot of people are willing to design interiors themselves, they just need better tools.
By delivering intuitive, well-designed tools, we empower users to independently achieve professional designer-like results.
A lot of people are willing to design interiors themselves, they just need better tools.
By delivering intuitive, well-designed tools, we empower users to independently achieve professional designer-like results.
Research summary
Research summary
Secondary research
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Literature reviews
Literature reviews
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
Market trends analysis
Market trends analysis
Cognitive task analysis
Cognitive task analysis
Primary research
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User interviews
User interviews
Usability testing (2 rounds)
Usability testing (2 rounds)
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
Prototyping & testing
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Wirefraaming
Wirefraaming
Design system
Design system
High-Fidelity prototyping
High-Fidelity prototyping
Usability testing
Usability testing
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
Analysis of direct and indirect competitor apps revealed key gaps and unmet user needs:
Analysis of direct and indirect competitor apps revealed key gaps and unmet user needs:
Too many features, barely any functional
Too many features, barely any functional
Poor UX, glitchy interface
Poor UX, glitchy interface
More modelling and preset features that required a learning curve
More modelling and preset features that required a learning curve
Competitor app reviews
Competitor app reviews
A lot of good features were behind a paywall with high subscription costs
Very glitchy interfaces
Lots of negetive reviews indicating dissatisfaction
A lot of good features were behind a paywall with high subscription costs
Very glitchy interfaces
Lots of negetive reviews indicating dissatisfaction
Potential solutions:
Potential solutions:
Generative AI
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With the recent advancements in Generative AI, users can explore designs and create what they imagine
With the recent advancements in Generative AI, users can explore designs and create what they imagine
Small learning curve
Find the mortgage calculator
Focus on features that don’t need a learning curve targeted to amateur designers
Focus on features that don’t need a learning curve targeted to amateur designers
Strong UX
Strong UX
Need to make sure that app is very easy to use and is amateur designer centric.
Need to make sure that app is very easy to use and is amateur designer centric.
The market gap and strategic direction became clear, guiding the next steps for targeted design solutions…
The market gap and strategic direction became clear, guiding the next steps for targeted design solutions…
The market gap and strategic direction became clear, guiding the next steps for targeted design solutions…
Wireframing
Wireframing
Wireframing
First, I tried to draw out 3d environment where users can drag and drop furniture and move it around on different axes to place it however they liked.
We did not end up going with this approach due to:Learning curve
Time and technical constraints
First, I tried to draw out 3d environment where users can drag and drop furniture and move it around on different axes to place it however they liked.
We did not end up going with this approach due to:Learning curve
Time and technical constraints
Second, I sketched out a flow where users could upload a picture and use and Generative AI chat interface to make modifications like - "Add a painting on the wall."
This was a good approach:Easy to learn
First time mover advantage
This is the flow used that was finalized for the MVP
Second, I sketched out a flow where users could upload a picture and use and Generative AI chat interface to make modifications like - "Add a painting on the wall."
This was a good approach:Easy to learn
First time mover advantage
This is the flow used that was finalized for the MVP
I felt the need for users to draw inspiration from somewhere and take it a step further by letting them edit it exactly to their preferences and tastes.
So a user could browse images > Select an image > Modify it using GenAI > Save and share it
In the interest of time, this feature was deprioritized and not included for the MVP launch.
The MVP prioritized intuitive GenAI features to ensure ease of use and maximize user value.
The MVP prioritized intuitive GenAI features to ensure ease of use and maximize user value.
The work on the MVP commenced…
The work on the MVP commenced…
The work on the MVP commenced…
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
Just Click or Upload a photo
Just Click or Upload a photo
Just Click or Upload a photo
Click a photo of an interior space and choose the room type it belongs to.
It's that simple!
Click a photo of an interior space and choose the room type it belongs to.
It's that simple!
Design Decision: Loading animations
Design Decision: Loading animations
Design Decision: Loading animations
Upto 10 seconds
Upto 10 seconds
of loading time
of loading time
The engineering team stated that it would take upto 10 seconds to process and generate different ai interior styles.
Decision: Designed engaging loading animation screens to keep the user occupied and mask loading time.
The engineering team stated that it would take upto 10 seconds to process and generate different ai interior styles.
Decision: Designed engaging loading animation screens to keep the user occupied and mask loading time.
Type what you want. AI does the rest!
Type what you want. AI does the rest!
Type what you want. AI does the rest!
Want to add a painting on your wall? Just type and see magic happen.
Users can also select from choices generated and replace the existing design with just a tap.
Want to add a painting on your wall? Just type and see magic happen.
Users can also select from choices generated and replace the existing design with just a tap.
User Testing - Round 1
User Testing - Round 1
User Testing - Round 1
Usability Testing insights
Usability Testing insights
Users could not grasp all the features available
Most users said they find all the features useful
Most users said they would download and use the app
Users could not grasp all the features available
Most users said they find all the features useful
Most users said they would download and use the app
12
12
12
Number of users
Number of users
Number of users
70%
70%
70%
Task completion rate
Task completion rate
Task completion rate
1 min 35 secs
1 min 35 secs
1 min 35 secs
Average time per task
Average time per task
Average time per task
72.2
72.2
72.2
Average SUS
Average SUS
Average SUS
Results
Results
Results
7/12
7/12
Did not understand how to use the features
Did not understand how to use the features
10/12
10/12
Participants wanted onboarding tutorials.
Participants wanted onboarding tutorials.
Decisions to be made
Design progressive onboarding that teaches new users about the different tools and how to use them
Design a shop feature for users to find products that they see in their generated design
Design progressive onboarding that teaches new users about the different tools and how to use them
Design a shop feature for users to find products that they see in their generated design
Design progressive onboarding that teaches new users about the different tools and how to use them
Design a shop feature for users to find products that they see in their generated design
Design change - Progressive onboarding
Design change - Progressive onboarding
Design change - Progressive onboarding
Using a combination of flash cards and animations during onboarding, the app effectively explains how to make the most of the new tools.
Using a combination of flash cards and animations during onboarding, the app effectively explains how to make the most of the new tools.
Added feature - Shop products in your design
Added feature - Shop products in your design
Added feature - Shop products in your design
After users create their dream design, the app automatically tags furniture in the image and shows you links to similar products across the web.
A lot of these are affiliate links, so if the user makes a purchase, Deco gets a share too!
After users create their dream design, the app automatically tags furniture in the image and shows you links to similar products across the web.
A lot of these are affiliate links, so if the user makes a purchase, Deco gets a share too!
User Testing - Round 2
User Testing - Round 2
User Testing - Round 2
What was tested?
What was tested?
The new progressive onboarding flow
The new shop feature
The new progressive onboarding flow
The new shop feature
Results
Results
Results
4/5
4/5
Found the onboarding experience useful
Found the onboarding experience useful
3/5
3/5
Said they would use the shop feature
Said they would use the shop feature
Results after debuting the MVP on the App store
Results after debuting the MVP on the App store
Results after debuting the MVP on the App store
100+ Signups
100+ Signups
In the first one month of launch on the app store
In the first one month of launch on the app store
Over 60%
Over 60%
Engagement with 2 more more features
Engagement with 2 more more features
Deco launched on the app store in June 2024 with a limited set of shipped features. Through our aggressive social media marketing, we were able to get a considerable number of downloads.
In July 2024, I left the company to pursue my graduate studies.
Deco launched on the app store in June 2024 with a limited set of shipped features. Through our aggressive social media marketing, we were able to get a considerable number of downloads.
In July 2024, I left the company to pursue my graduate studies.
Key takeaways
Key takeaways
I learnt so much over the summer working with an amazing set of Designers, Developers and PMs!
I learnt so much over the summer working with an amazing set of Designers, Developers and PMs!
Designing from 0 to 1
Designing from 0 to 1
This was the first time I got the chance to be involved in a project right from the Idea stage to shipping an MVP. I got to experience the full product life cycle and improvise whenever necessary.
This was the first time I got the chance to be involved in a project right from the Idea stage to shipping an MVP. I got to experience the full product life cycle and improvise whenever necessary.
Designing around tech constraints
Designing around tech constraints
There were a lot of times tech constraints posed an obstacle to ship some design features/ elements. I had to come up with create ways to circumvent this and still deliver value to the user.
There were a lot of times tech constraints posed an obstacle to ship some design features/ elements. I had to come up with create ways to circumvent this and still deliver value to the user.
NIHAL PALOCAREN
NIHAL PALOCAREN