Nifty
Home maintenance system
My Role
My Role
My Role
UX/UI Design Lead
UX/UI Design Lead
UX/UI Design Lead
UI Design, AR Experience Design, Design Systems, User Research, Usability Testing
UI Design, AR Experience Design, Design Systems, User Research, Usability Testing
UI Design, AR Experience Design, Design Systems, User Research, Usability Testing
As the UX/UI designer, I designed the mobile app, embedded AR experience, and smart locker interface. Through behavioral research and persona development, I uncovered insights into millennial homeowners and translated them into intuitive user experiences, refining the solution through usability testing.
As the UX/UI designer, I designed the mobile app, embedded AR experience, and smart locker interface. Through behavioral research and persona development, I uncovered insights into millennial homeowners and translated them into intuitive user experiences, refining the solution through usability testing.
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Type
Project Type
Product Design
Product Design
Mobile App
Mobile App
AR Experience
AR Experience
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Adobe Suite
Adobe Suite
Rhino
Rhino
Keyshot
Keyshot
Timeframe
Timeframe
10 weeks
10 weeks
2023
2023
2023
2023
Awards
Awards
Why did we design this?
Why did we design this?
66% of millennials regret purchasing their current home.
66% of millennials regret purchasing their current home.
Home maintenance becomes especially burdensome when they lack the tools, information, and time to manage their homes amidst their busy lives.
Home maintenance becomes especially burdensome when they lack the tools, information, and time to manage their homes amidst their busy lives.
"I prefer to do it myself due to cost and scheduling issues."
"I prefer to do it myself due to
cost and scheduling issues."
Home Owner
"I'd like to do it myself, unless it requires technical or special tools or has a high risk of injury."
Home Owner
"I usually search on Google or YouTube to see if it's fixable or needs to be hired out."
Home Owner
"I trust myself more than strangers."
"I trust myself
more than strangers."
Home Owner
"I try to take care of it myself, but sometimes I don't have the right tools or enough time."
Home Owner
"I try to take care of it myself, but sometimes I don't have the right tools or enough time."
Home Owner
"I ignore it for a little while, then write down the items needed to repair it and do it on a weekend."
Home Owner
Why did we design this?
66% of millennials regret purchasing their current home.
Home maintenance becomes especially burdensome when they lack the tools, information, and time to manage their homes amidst their busy lives.
"I prefer to do it myself due to cost and scheduling issues."
Home Owner
"I'd like to do it myself, unless it requires technical or special tools or has a high risk of injury."
Home Owner
"I usually search on Google or YouTube to see if it's fixable or needs to be hired out."
Home Owner
"I trust myself more than strangers."
Home Owner
"I try to take care of it myself, but sometimes I don't have the right tools or enough time."
Home Owner
"I ignore it for a little while, then write down the items needed to repair it and do it on a weekend."
Home Owner
How did we develop?
How did we develop?
How did we develop?
Over 4 weeks, we began with secondary research, conducting surveys and interviews with new homeowners. In the following 6 weeks, we utilized Figma for prototyping and integrated AR and tool rental concepts to streamline the home maintenance process. We also developed a rendering for the tool rental locker.
Over 4 weeks, we began with secondary research, conducting surveys and interviews with new homeowners. In the following 6 weeks, we utilized Figma for prototyping and integrated AR and tool rental concepts to streamline the home maintenance process. We also developed a rendering for the tool rental locker.
Over 4 weeks, we began with secondary research, conducting surveys and interviews with new homeowners. In the following 6 weeks, we utilized Figma for prototyping and integrated AR and tool rental concepts to streamline the home maintenance process. We also developed a rendering for the tool rental locker.
What solutions did we create?
What solutions did we create?
What solutions did we create?
Nifty is an all-in-one solution that simplifies home maintenance with AR-based DIY guides, expert connections, and a tool rental service, making the process easier and more efficient.
Nifty is an all-in-one solution that simplifies home maintenance with AR-based DIY guides, expert connections, and a tool rental service, making the process easier and more efficient.
Nifty is an all-in-one solution that simplifies home maintenance with AR-based DIY guides, expert connections, and a tool rental service, making the process easier and more efficient.
How did we develop?
Over 4 weeks, we began with secondary research, conducting surveys and interviews with new homeowners. In the following 6 weeks, we utilized Figma for prototyping and integrated AR and tool rental concepts to streamline the home maintenance process. We also developed a rendering for the tool rental locker.
Diagnose Your Home Issues
Diagnose Your Home Issues
Diagnose Your Home Issues
Diagnose home issues using Nifty’s augmented reality guide and fix it by giving you a step-by-step guide for connecting you to videos.
Diagnose home issues using Nifty’s augmented reality guide and fix it by giving you a step-by-step guide for connecting you to videos.
Diagnose home issues using Nifty’s augmented reality guide and fix it by giving you a step-by-step guide for connecting you to videos.
Get DIY Tips
Get DIY Tips
Get DIY Tips
Tailored DIY guides and videos make it easy to diagnose and fix home issues with confidence.
Tailored DIY guides and videos make it easy to diagnose and fix home issues with confidence.
Tailored DIY guides and videos make it easy to diagnose and fix home issues with confidence.
Find Reliable Experts
Find Reliable Experts
Find Reliable Experts
Nifty connects people with reliable experts in their area, shows ratings and specialties, and schedules time right in the app.
Nifty connects people with reliable experts in their area, shows ratings and specialties, and schedules time right in the app.
Nifty connects people with reliable experts in their area, shows ratings and specialties, and schedules time right in the app.
Borrow Tools from Rental Lockers
Borrow Tools from Rental Lockers
Borrow Tools from Rental Lockers
Rent tools from Nifty’s locker at your local hardware store. Receive alerts for pickup and drop-off, saving time and money.
Rent tools from Nifty’s locker at your local hardware store. Receive alerts for pickup and drop-off, saving time and money.
Rent tools from Nifty’s locker at your local hardware store. Receive alerts for pickup and drop-off, saving time and money.
Manage Your Home
Manage Your Home
Manage Your Home
Nifty provides guidance through reminders, offering a structured overview of tasks and responsibilities.
Nifty provides guidance through reminders, offering a structured overview of tasks and responsibilities.
Nifty provides guidance through reminders, offering a structured overview of tasks and responsibilities.
Research
Research
Research
Goals
Goals
Before our secondary research, we set three primary goals to pinpoint homeowners’ challenges and ensure our solution addresses their needs effectively.
Before our secondary research, we set three primary goals to pinpoint homeowners’ challenges and ensure our solution addresses their needs effectively.
01.
01.
01.
What issues do people have in their homes?
What issues do people have in their homes?
What issues do people have in their homes?
02.
02.
02.
How do people find help with their home repairs?
How do people find help with their home repairs?
How do people find help with their home repairs?
03.
03.
03.
What makes a person trust a contractor?
What makes a person trust a contractor?
What makes a person trust a contractor?
Secondary Research Hover the boxes to see HMWs
Secondary Research Hover the boxes to see HMWs
Secondary Research Hover the boxes to see HMWs
Millennials (ages 27-42) make up 58% of first-time homebuyers in America.
7 in 10 millennials wait for a professional to come when they have a problem at home.
30% don’t own a ladder or a level.
54% don’t own a stud finder.
52% of people forget about home maintenance tasks due to overwhelm, lack of prioritization, busy schedules, and complexity.
64% of Americans call a home repair professional for help after Googling DIY tips.
Interview & Survey
Interview & Survey
120
120
Survey Responses
Survey Responses
27
27
Interviewees
Interviewees
1800
1800
Data Points
Data Points
Key Findings
Key Findings
Key Findings
Q. What would make it easier for people to do home repairs themselves?
Q. What would make it easier for people to do home repairs themselves?
Q. What would make it easier for people to do home repairs themselves?
"If Youtube videos were straight to the point and clearer."
"If Youtube videos were straight to the point and clearer."
"If Youtube videos were straight to the point and clearer."
"More access to useful resources like better/more tools, classes, and better instruction."
"More access to useful resources like better/more tools, classes, and better instruction."
"More access to useful resources like better/more tools, classes, and better instruction."
"If I was more organized about my tasks, documents, and manuals."
"If I was more organized about my tasks, documents, and manuals."
"If I was more organized about my tasks, documents, and manuals."
Q. What makes a contractor trustworthy?
Q. What makes a contractor trustworthy?
Q. What makes a contractor trustworthy?
“I am more willing to trust a contractor if they talk to me about the work in a way that I can understand.”
“I am more willing to trust a contractor if they talk to me about the work in a way that I can understand.”
“I am more willing to trust a contractor if they talk to me about the work in a way that I can understand.”
Q. What factors do people prioritize most when hiring a contractor?
Q. What factors do people prioritize most when hiring a contractor?
Q. What factors do people prioritize most when hiring a contractor?
"A contractor that charges a reasonable price."
"A contractor that charges a reasonable price."
"A contractor that charges a reasonable price."
"A contractor with a good reputation and reviews."
"A contractor with a good reputation and reviews."
"A contractor with a good reputation and reviews."
"A contractor that responds quickly and does the job."
"A contractor that responds quickly and does the job."
"A contractor that responds quickly and does the job."
Analysis
Analysis
Analysis
Understanding Our Users
Understanding Our Users
To design Nifty with our users in mind, we created personas that represent our target audience and their needs. These personas guided our decisions and helped ensure the design stayed user-focused. A user journey map also helped us understand how people interact with Nifty, identify pain points, and improve the overall experience.
To design Nifty with our users in mind, we created personas that represent our target audience and their needs. These personas guided our decisions and helped ensure the design stayed user-focused. A user journey map also helped us understand how people interact with Nifty, identify pain points, and improve the overall experience.
To design Nifty with our users in mind, we created personas that represent our target audience and their needs. These personas guided our decisions and helped ensure the design stayed user-focused. A user journey map also helped us understand how people interact with Nifty, identify pain points, and improve the overall experience.
User Testing : What I Learned
User Testing : What I Learned
Through user testing during the UI iteration phase of our project, I learned that less is often more in practical design. Users found some sections overwhelming due to the amount of information presented, leading to a preference for a simpler, more focused experience. This highlighted the need to prioritize core functions and ensure clarity throughout the app.
Through user testing during the UI iteration phase of our project, I learned that less is often more in practical design. Users found some sections overwhelming due to the amount of information presented, leading to a preference for a simpler, more focused experience. This highlighted the need to prioritize core functions and ensure clarity throughout the app.
Brand Identity
Brand Identity
Color & Aesthetic
Color & Aesthetic
Friendly
Friendly
Friendly and consistent design to make it feel approachable and manageable.
Positive
Positive
Uses encouraging writing to keep users motivated and confident in home management.
Accomplishment
Accomplishment
Provides clear guidance and celebrates users' successful home maintenance efforts.
Typeface
Typeface
Aa 12345@&!?
Avenir, with its modern and clean look, gives Nifty feel approachable and easy-to-use. Additionally, understanding that users will be reading various guides, we chose this font for its clarity and readability.
Avenir, with its modern and clean look, gives Nifty feel approachable and easy-to-use. Additionally, understanding that users will be reading various guides, we chose this font for its clarity and readability.
Logo
Logo
The Nifty logo incorporates a hammer shape within the “N,” symbolizing home repair while maintaining a clean and friendly look that aligns with the brand’s approachable nature.
The Nifty logo incorporates a hammer shape within the “N,” symbolizing home repair while maintaining a clean and friendly look that aligns with the brand’s approachable nature.
Tool Rental Locker
Tool Rental Locker
Locker UI Screens
Locker UI Screens
Tool Rental Locker
Illustrations
Illustrations
How did we develop?
Over 4 weeks, we began with secondary research, conducting surveys and interviews with new homeowners. In the following 6 weeks, we utilized Figma for prototyping and integrated AR and tool rental concepts to streamline the home maintenance process. We also developed a rendering for the tool rental locker.
Nifty : Home maintenance system
Nifty : Home maintenance system
Final thoughts
Final thoughts
Working on Nifty was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of user-centered design. Throughout the process, I realized how vital simplicity and clarity are, especially when handling complex features. User testing was key in showing that even well-intentioned designs can overwhelm users if not carefully balanced. This project taught me to prioritize core functions and user needs above all, ensuring that every design choice is both purposeful and intuitive.
Working on Nifty was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of user-centered design. Throughout the process, I realized how vital simplicity and clarity are, especially when handling complex features. User testing was key in showing that even well-intentioned designs can overwhelm users if not carefully balanced. This project taught me to prioritize core functions and user needs above all, ensuring that every design choice is both purposeful and intuitive.
See also
See also
See also
More Projects
More Projects
More Projects
© Jiwon Lee, 2026
Nifty
Home maintenance system