IdeaRoom
3d plans for hobbyist woodworkers
Background
Sawtooth Ideas was founded by a hobbyist woodworker, after several mishaps involving incomplete or confusing woodworking plans. The founder, who also happened to be a seasoned software veteran with mad engineering skills, identified a need for plans that provide all of the context and details required to complete complex projects. He landed on the idea of interactive 3D plans that could be manipulated in a variety of ways to help woodworkers understand how to properly cut, finish, and assemble pieces.
I was hired to identify the basic requirements of a solution based on industry research and user feedback, and to design the user experience from soup-to-nuts. Following product research, I worked closely with the team to develop their first commercial application, IdeaRoom.
IdeaRoom is a fresh and engaging way to experience woodworking, which allows users to view high-quality, interactive woodworking plans on Windows, Mac OS, iPad, and iPhone. Plans contain detailed project instructions and dynamic 3D models, providing an exceptional woodworking experience. New plans can be purchased directly from the app through a digital storefront.
My Role
Experience Designer
Usability Analyst
Outcomes
#2
top position in Lifestyle category of App Store
4.0
average user rating
Cross-platform
Customer interviews revealed the desire for a solution on a variety of platforms. As a result, versions of IdeaRoom were designed and developed for iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac OS.
Interactive Models
Interactive 3D models overcome the limitations of traditional plans, by allowing woodworkers to see the fine details of a project from a variety of angles.
dimensions and measurement
IdeaRoom allows users to view specific information about individual components, such as overall dimensions or width and depth of cuts.
Detailed Specifications
Traditional plans are hard to beat for communicating specific cutting and assembly instructions. For this reason, each project includes a set of written instruction along with an interactive model.
In-App Purchasing
IdeaRoom allows customers to browse and purchase from a large collection of woodworking ideas, directly from the app. Ideas are available in a variety of styles from many designers and leading publications.
“Chad created elegant designs for several diverse platforms and successfully developed a cohesive look and experience for our product. He conducted usability studies and then applied those learnings to his designs. He balanced many competing priorities and collaborated well with the team. I enjoyed working with Chad very much, and I'm happy to recommend him as an experienced designer.”