Join the web!
Creating a PC building app to help you connect to fellow enthusiasts
Role
Product Designer
Skills
Prototyping
Research
Tools
Figma
Timeline
Dec 2024 - Jan 2025
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Building a PC can be overwhelming
There is no one instruction manual to build a computer
HMW help users efficiently build their personal computers, and allow them to foster connections while doing so?
High Level Goals That Defined my Design
1. Educate and teach users how to build and optimize their own PC
2. Foster growth and enhance social connections within the PC building community
.01 The Challenge
.02 The Solution
The most innovative way to build your new computer
Builder is an app that lets you visualize, assemble, and test your custom rig in real time—before you buy a single part. No more compatibility worries or second-guessing! Our interactive, step-by-step guidance makes PC building fun, easy, and mistake-free.
AR powered guidance
This AR-powered app removes the guesswork. Visualize your build in real time, test compatibility before buying parts, and get step-by-step assembly guidance—all in an interactive, hands-on experience.
Get Inspired - together!
PC building is better with a community! Connect with fellow builders in our forums, get advice, and showcase your completed rigs. Whether you're troubleshooting or looking for inspiration, you're never building alone.
.03 Research and User Insights
Time to investigate!
I began the research creating a forum to gain knowledge about the current methods of building a computer
01
Basic questions about how people go about building a computer
02
Questions on frustrations of picking pc part compatibility and pricing
03
Questions on possible solutions on how to build with confidence, and how users use AR
offline conversations
Gathering Builder Feedback
I conducted a survey with potential users to understand their preferences and pain points. Here are the user survey insights:
out of all the people who filled out the form, 75% had Pokémon Go as one of their only AR experience
84% are preferred touch controls over gesture controls to interact with AR
50% of people have built a pc before
Pain Points Identified!
Lack of AR familiarity: Since most users’ only AR experience is Pokémon Go, they might not be comfortable with more complex AR interactions like object manipulation.
Balancing complexity for both new and experienced builders: Half of the responders have already built a pc before. How can we make Builder appeal to both experts and novices?
Intuitive Controls: Users feels uncomfortable preforming unfamiliar gesture controls.
How does Builder Compare?
.04 App Features
Notable Design Explorations
Product design decisions are nested in all elements of Builder. I hope that my product design passion is evident through the experience this app provides. Although there were many iterations, here are a few that stood out.
Community Recognition
After completing a build, users could share it with the app’s community to receive likes, comments, or even featured recognition. This sparks joy and fosters a sense of belonging and accomplishment.
UI Ideation
How Can My Designs Allow the RSVP Process to come Naturally?
Behold, the final 3 designs from my 5 iterations!
Option 1
Hashtags are easy to miss!
Sizing looks awkward
Option 2
Hashtags look more secluded
Weak information hierarchy.
Option 3
Colors allow eye-catching tldr for each discussion post
Way better information structure
MatchPoint Design System
Building Community
One of my priorities is to create community so by making the “ask ai model” button smaller, and adding multiple discussion posts allows the user to engage with the community before going straight to ai.
Builder's Design System
Wanting to create a tech-y atmosphere where users feel like they’re actively constructing something, I chose the Space Mono font for the body text, which is commonly found in code editors like Visual Studio Code and Atom.
.05 The Product
.06 Next Steps
Next Round
If I had more time I would test the AR functions with potential users
I would like to come back to this project after sharpening my XR design skills