3D Modeling Software

I embarked on a one-week challenge to craft an interface for a 3D modeling software, focusing not just on adhering to the provided specifications but also on conceptualizing the design's structure, detailing the interactions, and elucidating the thought process behind each design decision. This software, accessible as a Software as a Service (SaaS) via web browsers, empowers users to create intricate 3D elements. Targeted primarily at mechanical and industrial engineers, the software is envisioned as a professional tool characterized by an expansive modeling viewport, tailored for users who require advanced functionality rather than casual hobbyists. In developing this interface, I was guided by fundamental design principles, with an eye toward ensuring the software's capacity for future enhancements in both its features and platform compatibility, thereby accommodating evolving user needs and technological advancements.

Work Structure

To effectively monitor the progression of the project, I employed the Kanban agile methodology, which allowed for a fluid and adaptable workflow. Throughout the week, I engaged in a comprehensive design thinking process that encompassed a series of interviews, extensive research, user studies, evaluations, and A/B testing. This approach not only facilitated a deeper understanding of user needs and preferences but also ensured that the project's development was both user-centric and data-informed, enabling iterative improvements and strategic decision-making.

User Interviews

Due to a lack of time, I only had time to conduct five user interviews. I prepared a question guide with open-ended questions to allow me to conduct semi-structured interviews. Due to the pandemic, I conducted the interviews via video call, but I was sure to get the participants' consent that the call would be recorded for research purposes.

Persona

The persona card was created depending on the combined data that was collected in the interviews. The Persona method helped me to understand user needs. Based on the insights from the interviews, the persona represents the primary user. The primary user is looking to create and build new projects and also learn new skills. Based on the persona, I noticed a lack of time to access CAD software outside of the work environment, and there is a lack of collaboration between engineers or hobbyists on projects.

Empathy Map

I’ve created an empathy map for the persona, where I can understand deeply the user's needs, thoughts, and concerns regarding the software usability. I summarized the main key points from the persona and the qualitative data that has been gathered. The empathy map is split into 4 quadrants (says, thinks, does, and feels), with the user or persona in the middle. Empathy maps provide a glimpse into who a user is as a whole and are not chronological or sequential. The empathy map serves user-centered design since it will give a deeper understanding of the user's needs from the beginning of the design process.

Desk Research

Working on three-dimensional layouts through a two-dimensional screen is one of the classic user interface issues in modern engineering and design tools. According to Lee et al., the top issues with CAD software’s user interface are related to: 1. Dialog boxes, 2. Drawings and reports, 3. The help function, 4. Modeling, 5. Domain terminology, 6.General system terminology, 7. View and navigation, 8. The menu bar, 9. The toolbar, and 10. Others. I wanted to see whether there were any guidelines for designing and building the UI of CAD software after getting a clear picture of the most pressing usability challenges. On the one hand, the 3D parametric modeling domain does not have some of the existing UI principles stated. However, many of the UI design examples created expressly for the domain by 3D engineering did not adhere to any of the UI concepts that were already in use. Therefore, Lee et. al. created three kinds of principles: 1.Principles for general system design 2. Principles that are specific to 3D parametric design 3. Principles for user support These guidelines were also applied when the design was later evaluated. One of the conclusions from the literature review discussed the Nielsen Norman Group's 10 general heuristic evaluation guidelines, which can be used for simple desktop software and mobile applications but do not apply to the user interface of sophisticated 3D systems.

Results