Sktch bridges the gap between creative professionals and people who need design solutions, offering a hassle-free, collaborative platform that caters to projects of all sizes, ensuring accessibility and quality in architectural services.
Problem
Many people dream of building custom homes but are intimidated by the high costs of hiring design professionals and architects. Currently, the market lacks affordable options for custom home design services. By connecting clients with skilled professionals who can provide cost-effective design and execution, we aim to make personalized housing more accessible.
Goal
To achieve this, we created an application that allows users to access a wide variety of designers and architects from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This ensures a broader array of talent that better fits each client's unique needs and preferences, offering the perfect balance of creativity, functionality, and affordability.
User Interviews and Persona Creation
Our approach to user research began by reversing the process from a product perspective. We discovered a world of talented designers with the potential to drive transformative change. Guided by this insight, we identified two key audiences: first, individuals who traditionally lack access to professional design resources, and second, those seeking a broader selection of design professionals. This dual focus allowed us to craft a service that bridges gaps and expands possibilities, fostering innovation and connection in meaningful ways.
User Interview Feedback
1. Pricing Breakdown
Potential customers struggle to understand the full scope of costs associated with their projects, leading to uncertainty and hesitation during the decision-making process.
2. Interactive Floor Plans/Augmented Reality Capabilities
Homebuyers and renovators lack the tools to visualize their projects accurately, making it challenging to align expectations with the final results.
3. Upfront Cost Estimates
Customers are frustrated by the lack of clear and transparent upfront cost estimates, which creates mistrust and complicates budget planning.
4. Location-Specific Cost Estimates
Customers find it difficult to factor in location-specific variables, such as labor and material costs, leading to inaccurate budgeting and potential project delays.
5. Interior and Exterior Designer Relationships
Customers have limited access to professional interior and exterior design guidance, making it hard to achieve cohesive and aesthetically pleasing results.
6. Pre-Planned Options
Many customers feel overwhelmed by too many design choices and would benefit from curated, pre-planned options that simplify decision-making.
7. Accessibility Options
Homebuyers and renovators with specific accessibility needs face barriers in finding designs and solutions tailored to their requirements.
8. Interactive MLS Search
Homebuyers experience difficulty in integrating MLS searches with interactive tools that align listings with their personal preferences and design goals.
Persona Creation
“I want something tailored to my families needs but need expert guidance to bring my vision to life.”
Goals
Looking to form a working relationship with certified design professionals.
Wants to better understand the costs associated with a custom built house
Frustrations
Where do you start in your search for a design professional.
Not finding design professionals aligned with their goals and vision.
Lindy and her partner are a highly educated, busy couple working in the technology sector. As they plan to start a family, they are seeking a trusted professional to help design their dream home. Building this relationship is crucial to them, as they value collaboration and expertise in creating a space that reflects their aspirations and lifestyle.
Solutions That Sktch Offers
1. Pricing Breakdown
Solution:
Develop a dynamic pricing breakdown tool that provides customers with a detailed, itemized view of project costs, including materials, labor, and additional fees. Include visual graphs or charts for better understanding.
2. Interactive Floor Plans/Augmented Reality Capabilities
Solution:
Offer an AR-powered platform where customers can interact with floor plans in 3D, enabling them to visualize and customize layouts, materials, and furnishings in real time.
3. Upfront Cost Estimates
Solution:
Create a cost estimator tool that provides instant, transparent quotes based on project scope and preferences. Ensure the tool includes flexibility for adjustments and generates a downloadable report.
4. Location-Specific Cost Estimates
Solution:
Integrate a location-based cost calculator that accounts for regional differences in labor rates, materials, and permits. Use local data and allow for updates based on market fluctuations.
5. Interior and Exterior Designer Relationships
Solution:
Build a marketplace that connects customers with vetted interior and exterior designers. Include features like profiles, portfolios, and integrated communication tools to simplify collaboration.
6. Pre-Planned Options
Solution:
Offer a library of pre-planned design packages that cater to common customer preferences and needs. Allow customization within these templates to balance simplicity and personalization.
7. Accessibility Options
Solution:
Provide accessibility-focused design packages, including adjustable features for mobility aids, low-height counters, and ergonomic layouts. Collaborate with accessibility consultants to ensure compliance with universal design standards.
8. Interactive MLS Search
Solution:
Develop an enhanced MLS search tool that incorporates filters for design preferences and project goals. Add an interactive overlay that allows users to visualize renovations or customizations directly on listings.
Site Map
Designing a seamless app experience begins with clarity and empathy. By mapping out every interaction, I built a site map that captures the essential elements required for users to reach their goals effortlessly. It’s about stripping away the unnecessary, refining the path, and creating an experience that feels as intuitive as it is purposeful.
WireFrames
While the user flow adheres to industry standards, we pushed boundaries with a range of wireframe concepts to deepen the connection between users and designers. Every decision was guided by a singular goal: to celebrate the distinct skills and expertise of each designer, ensuring their individuality resonates at every touchpoint of the journey.
Task Flow
The task flow was designed to seamlessly guide users through discovering and connecting with designers while emphasizing each designer’s unique expertise. The process begins with users identifying their specific needs through an intuitive onboarding experience.
Mid-Fidelity Prototype
As the app took shape, the mid-fidelity prototype revealed an opportunity to create a more direct path to designer profiles. This adjustment empowers users to seamlessly connect with designers who align with their needs, fostering meaningful interactions and unlocking the potential for collaboration with clarity and purpose.
Style Tile
With the product direction set, creating a scalable design system became essential. This foundation ensured the product stayed true to its vision while maintaining the flexibility to grow. By establishing a strong and thoughtful framework, future additions—whether features, screens, or modals—could be seamlessly integrated without hesitation or disruption.
High Fidelity Prototype
The high-fidelity prototype marked a pivotal moment—where the app truly came alive. This interactive, fully-realized version allowed users to engage deeply with the experience, providing invaluable feedback. Through their insights, we uncovered opportunities to refine and elevate the process, ensuring every detail resonates with purpose and precision.
Takeaways
Creating an app to connect individuals with architects addresses a significant gap in the market, making professional design services more accessible and customizable for projects of all sizes. By focusing on user needs—such as transparent pricing, efficient communication, and a broader selection of design professionals—the app simplifies the hiring process while fostering collaboration. Usability studies have highlighted key strengths, including intuitive onboarding, relevant architect matching, and seamless collaborative tools, while also identifying areas for improvement, such as accessibility and niche design filters. With a user-centric approach and a commitment to inclusivity, this app has the potential to redefine how people access and experience architectural services.