Houzz AR Floor-plan
B2B · UX Design · Creative Direction
The AR Floor-plan tool is a mobile-first feature that enables users to leverage AR technology on their mobile phones to scan a physical room and measure its dimensions. They can then mark the windows and doors, generating a highly accurate floorplan within seconds. Users can seamlessly transition to their desktop to further enhance their work, generating a 3D room floorplan, adding products, and designing their vision in an unprecedented way.
The problem
Today, interior designers and contractors often find themselves in a time-consuming process of creating floor plans for clients. They must physically measure spaces on-site and then return to the office to sketch out the plans. As part of Houzz's commitment to being a comprehensive solution for home remodeling management, we sought to streamline this process using accessible AR technology.
Goals
Our goal was to save home professionals significant time by enabling them to automatically generate floor plans directly from their smartphones. Additionally, we aimed to provide advanced features such as the ability to edit these floor plans by adding furniture and other elements later on.
Pointer options
We tested different options for the measurement pointer with users based on competitors. Eventually, we decided to use the solid circle because it felt more prominent on the surface and was easier to locate for most users, especially during large-scale measurements.
User testing
Methodology
In person 1:1 sessions with 10 participants, which were existing Houzz Pro interior designers.
Study goals
Usability: Ensure users understand how to navigate to the feature and what steps are required to complete the task.
Different layout preferences: Evaluate which layout is more effective and provides a more accurate measurement.
Main conclusions
Participants have a strong preference for the solid circle pointer as it reminded them of other AR measuring apps like the native iOS measurement app.
Users found the measurement somewhat inaccurate due to gaps created by AR technology. Therefore, it was necessary to communicate this within the flow.
