DreamDecor Redesign Concept
A time-based design assignment to redesign the homepage of their AR-powered Interior design app
DreamDecor is an AR-powered interior design app, targeted at homeowners, renters, etc. who are looking to design their home interiors and want to visualise their space with various furnishings before buying them. This can be done through their AR feature wherein users can visualise in real-time how the space would look, and also look for design inspirations. I was tasked with a redesign of the homepage for the app. The aim was to transform a cluttered and confusing interface into a clear, engaging entry point that highlights the app's unique value.
Project synopsis
Problem
The original homepage was visually cluttered and did not clearly showcase the AR feature. Key functionalities were buried under excessive content, making it difficult for users to quickly understand the app's purpose and value.
Analysis
Users need to see a clear, prioritized path to interact with the app. I identified that the lack of focused navigation and the overabundance of information were the primary obstacles to a smooth user experience.
Solution
I redesigned the homepage with a focus on clarity and ease of use. The hero section now immediately presents the AR feature and a simplified bottom navigation bar with intuitive icons to guide users effortlessly through their tasks. The minimal color palette accented by a fresh green from the logo, reinforces a modern and inviting aesthetic.
Challenges
Working within a tight timeframe required rapid decision-making and prioritisation. With a sparse brief, I had to rely on informed assumptions about user needs and use established design principles to ensure the final product met both functional and aesthetic requirements.
On analysing the original homepage, I found-
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visual clutter
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a lack of clear focus on the key AR feature
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key functionalities of app unclear
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alignment issues in UI
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Lack of intuitive navigation
All of this made it difficult for users to quickly grasp the app's value.
Analysing the existing design
My approach
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1. Hero Section:
I highlighted the AR feature with two clear calls-to-action: "Try AR Visualiser" and "Explore Styles." This offers users the choice to either experience the AR capability directly or browse curated decor ideas for inspiration.
2. Shortcuts and Featured Collections:
I added shortcuts to broad categories and themed collections so users can quickly explore various design inspirations without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Navigation Bar:
For mobile users, I designed a bottom navigation bar with five intuitive icons:
• Home: Returns users to the main page.
• Explore: Lets users discover furniture, furnishings, and decor ideas.
• Visualise: A central, standout button highlighted with an accent gradient that opens the AR camera for virtual furniture placement.
• Create: Allows users to upload a photo of their room and see it transformed into different design styles using AI.
• Favourites: A space for users to save and revisit favorite ideas and projects.
4. Top Bar:
The Dream Decor logo is positioned on the top left to reinforce brand identity, with search and profile icons on the top right for easy access.
5. Visual Language:
I chose a minimal color palette of white, black, and grey, complemented by an accent green from the logo for primary CTAs. This approach ensures a clean, modern look while maintaining brand consistency and adding a fresh, vibrant touch.
I focused on the essentials and broke down the homepage design into these key elements:
Low fidelity wireframe
Result
The final design is a balance between elegance and functionality, aiming to create a user-friendly first impression on the app. Despite the tight timeframe, the homepage effectively communicates Dream Decor’s unique value proposition and delivers a smoother, user-friendly experience that supports users in visualising and executing their home renovation ideas.
Before
After
Reflections and growth
As this was a time-sensitive project, when I look back in retrospect, there are certain things I would have done differently today-
1. Added a line/subtle drop shadow, clearly segregating the top and bottom navigation bars as currently it looks seamless and unified. The segregation would convey the utility of the navigation bars and its contents better.
2. In place of the app name, I would instead have the page name, to help reinforce in users to understand where in the app they are and thus improve navigation (visibility of system status)
Source: desArtLAb.com
3. Have an edge fade above the bottom navigation bar to slightly blur the bottom-most information on the page, in order to indicate presence of more information and encourage user to scroll down and explore
4. Instead of having all solid colours, applied a subtle gradient to the primary CTAs to give a sense of depth, subtly conveying the inherent nature of the 3D visualiser feature
All of this reinforces the iterative nature of design and the chase for perfection.
What do you think about this redesign? Is there something else you would have added/removed? Let's talk!
Final words
Designed within a limited timeframe, the new homepage better communicates Dream Decor’s vision of visualising and transforming design ideas into reality using AR. This project demonstrates my ability to make swift, strategic design decisions that balance creativity with user needs. This project reinforced the importance of prioritisation and rapid decision-making.
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