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Case Study

Case Study

Case Study

SeatPlan

SeatPlan

SeatPlan

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Project Overview

Project Overview

Project Overview

SeatPlan creates an intuitive and efficient way to empower event planners to visualize and coordinate how people experience events. SeatPlan anticipates the needs of the event and coordinates the planning process in a way that is streamlined, maximizing resources, and working to avoid costly mistakes to ensure a successful event. Originally my capstone project for my Master of Science degree, it is currently a pre-seed round start-up.

SeatPlan creates an intuitive and efficient way to empower event planners to visualize and coordinate how people experience events. SeatPlan anticipates the needs of the event and coordinates the planning process in a way that is streamlined, maximizing resources, and working to avoid costly mistakes to ensure a successful event. Originally my capstone project for my Master of Science degree, it is currently a pre-seed round start-up.

SeatPlan creates an intuitive and efficient way to empower event planners to visualize and coordinate how people experience events. SeatPlan anticipates the needs of the event and coordinates the planning process in a way that is streamlined, maximizing resources, and working to avoid costly mistakes to ensure a successful event. Originally my capstone project for my Master of Science degree, it is currently a pre-seed round start-up.

A multi-device digital solution that allows users to design, visualize, and collaborate on event planning.

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Team

1 Product Designer

1 Brand Manager

1 UX Researcher

1 Product Manager

1 Project Manager

1 Product Designer

1 Brand Manager

1 UX Researcher

1 Product Manager

1 Project Manager

1 Product Designer

1 Brand Manager

1 UX Researcher

1 Product Manager

1 Project Manager

Role

Product Designer

Product Designer

Product Designer

Duration

2 years (2020 - 2022)

Capstone project for USC’s Iovine and Young Academy’s IDBT program

2 years (2020 - 2022)

Capstone project for USC’s Iovine and Young Academy’s IDBT program

2 years (2020 - 2022)

Capstone project for USC’s Iovine and Young Academy’s IDBT program

Tools

Figma

Qualtrics

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe After Effects

Figma

Qualtrics

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe After Effects

Figma

Qualtrics

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe After Effects

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Problem

Problem

Problem

In the post-pandemic era, people are eager to reconnect with those they were separated from for years, and as a result, event hosting is at an all-time high. However, finding the right tools to plan these events can be a challenge. Existing solutions either come with a hefty price tag and complex features, or they are too basic to be helpful. Based on research, it's become clear that many people have resorted to creating their own event planning solutions.This highlights the need for a simple and efficient event planning solution that currently does not exist.

In the post-pandemic era, people are eager to reconnect with those they were separated from for years, and as a result, event hosting is at an all-time high. However, finding the right tools to plan these events can be a challenge. Existing solutions either come with a hefty price tag and complex features, or they are too basic to be helpful. Based on research, it's become clear that many people have resorted to creating their own event planning solutions.This highlights the need for a simple and efficient event planning solution that currently does not exist.

In the post-pandemic era, people are eager to reconnect with those they were separated from for years, and as a result, event hosting is at an all-time high. However, finding the right tools to plan these events can be a challenge. Existing solutions either come with a hefty price tag and complex features, or they are too basic to be helpful. Based on research, it's become clear that many people have resorted to creating their own event planning solutions.This highlights the need for a simple and efficient event planning solution that currently does not exist.

Event planners do not have an efficient way to manage guests

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Solution

Solution

Solution

Intuitive multi-device platform to meet you where you are

SeatPlan offers an intuitive and efficient platform for event planners to manage guests, visualize layouts, and collaborate with others. Our user-centered design anticipates planners' needs, streamlining the planning process and maximizing resources while avoiding costly mistakes, ensuring successful events. With SeatPlan, planners can confidently plan, visualize, and coordinate every detail of an event, leading to memorable and enjoyable experiences for all involved. Whether it's a corporate conference, wedding, or small dinner party, SeatPlan empowers planners to create events that leave a lasting impression.

SeatPlan offers an intuitive and efficient platform for event planners to manage guests, visualize layouts, and collaborate with others. Our user-centered design anticipates planners' needs, streamlining the planning process and maximizing resources while avoiding costly mistakes, ensuring successful events. With SeatPlan, planners can confidently plan, visualize, and coordinate every detail of an event, leading to memorable and enjoyable experiences for all involved. Whether it's a corporate conference, wedding, or small dinner party, SeatPlan empowers planners to create events that leave a lasting impression.

SeatPlan offers an intuitive and efficient platform for event planners to manage guests, visualize layouts, and collaborate with others. Our user-centered design anticipates planners' needs, streamlining the planning process and maximizing resources while avoiding costly mistakes, ensuring successful events. With SeatPlan, planners can confidently plan, visualize, and coordinate every detail of an event, leading to memorable and enjoyable experiences for all involved. Whether it's a corporate conference, wedding, or small dinner party, SeatPlan empowers planners to create events that leave a lasting impression.

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My teammate Karla had to seat 500 wedding guests but couldn't find a solution that worked, so she made a wooden seating chart with little squares representing each guest. Her family found it helpful and efficient. She then recruited me to help turn it into a digital solution.


My teammate Karla had to seat 500 wedding guests but couldn't find a solution that worked, so she made a wooden seating chart with little squares representing each guest. Her family found it helpful and efficient. She then recruited me to help turn it into a digital solution.


My teammate Karla had to seat 500 wedding guests but couldn't find a solution that worked, so she made a wooden seating chart with little squares representing each guest. Her family found it helpful and efficient. She then recruited me to help turn it into a digital solution.


Context

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Planning & Research

Planning & Research

Planning & Research

Defining product goals, crafting a roadmap, and conducting user interviews

Our initial focus was figuring out how to create an efficient seating solution. To get a better understanding of current event planning trends, we interviewed over 11 event planners ranging from amateur to professional, from all different event markets ranging from weddings, corporate events, small intimate house parties, and even night life club events. We asked questions such as:

Our initial focus was figuring out how to create an efficient seating solution. To get a better understanding of current event planning trends, we interviewed over 11 event planners ranging from amateur to professional, from all different event markets ranging from weddings, corporate events, small intimate house parties, and even night life club events. We asked questions such as:

Our initial focus was figuring out how to create an efficient seating solution. To get a better understanding of current event planning trends, we interviewed over 11 event planners ranging from amateur to professional, from all different event markets ranging from weddings, corporate events, small intimate house parties, and even night life club events. We asked questions such as:

What does a successful event mean to you?

What tools do you use to help you plan your event?

Tell me about the most successful and least successful event you’ve been a part of.
What does a successful event mean to you?

What tools do you use to help you plan your event?

Tell me about the most successful and least successful event you’ve been a part of.

🎉

🎉

🎉

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A New Discovery

A New Discovery

A New Discovery

We realized we were only treating a symptom of a bigger issue

After conducting over 20 hours of in-depth interviews, 3 major pain points of event planning were uncovered:

Layout/Seating Arrangements

Take time, thought, and no easy way to do them exists

Guest communication

Can be repetitive and can compound into hours of limited time

RSVP

Essential for most events yet difficult to manage

"Events are nothing without guests… they can make or break an event."

Loriann Serna

CEO of Wife of the Party

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Problem, Revisited

Problem, Revisited

Problem, Revisited

🕐 Time

💸

Money

💔 Relationships

💭

While solving the seating issue is undoubtedly important, it's just one aspect of a much larger problem. Research has shown that juggling guests throughout the entire event planning process can be an incredibly challenging task that puts a strain on your time, money, and especially relationships - the very thing we want to celebrate.

While solving the seating issue is undoubtedly important, it's just one aspect of a much larger problem. Research has shown that juggling guests throughout the entire event planning process can be an incredibly challenging task that puts a strain on your time, money, and especially relationships - the very thing we want to celebrate.

While solving the seating issue is undoubtedly important, it's just one aspect of a much larger problem. Research has shown that juggling guests throughout the entire event planning process can be an incredibly challenging task that puts a strain on your time, money, and especially relationships - the very thing we want to celebrate.

How might we create a solution that allows event planners to efficiently manage guests?

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Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Research with a new focus on guest management

After uncovering the deeper problem of how relationships are at risk when events are disorganized, I conducted a competitive analysis with a focus on seeing how our competitors approached guest management.

After uncovering the deeper problem of how relationships are at risk when events are disorganized, I conducted a competitive analysis with a focus on seeing how our competitors approached guest management.

After uncovering the deeper problem of how relationships are at risk when events are disorganized, I conducted a competitive analysis with a focus on seeing how our competitors approached guest management.

What sets us apart from other event planning apps is our approach to guests. While many other platforms view guests as just another piece of the event puzzle, we understand that guests are the glue that holds everything together. By putting guests at the center of our platform, we can differentiate ourselves from the market and provide planners with a unique and valuable tool.

What sets us apart from other event planning apps is our approach to guests. While many other platforms view guests as just another piece of the event puzzle, we understand that guests are the glue that holds everything together. By putting guests at the center of our platform, we can differentiate ourselves from the market and provide planners with a unique and valuable tool.

What sets us apart from other event planning apps is our approach to guests. While many other platforms view guests as just another piece of the event puzzle, we understand that guests are the glue that holds everything together. By putting guests at the center of our platform, we can differentiate ourselves from the market and provide planners with a unique and valuable tool.

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Target
Market

Target
Market

Target
Market

Who do you serve when event planning encompasses all demographics?

Our competitive analysis revealed that there were solutions for big enterprises like those who hold conferences and more amateur parties like small dinners or house parties, but there was a big gap for those planners who fell in the middle. Those in the middle were forced to use solutions from either end of the spectrum, depending on the needs of their event, but didn't really cater to them at all. Essentially, they were also "hacking" their event with apps that didn't fit their needs.

Our competitive analysis revealed that there were solutions for big enterprises like those who hold conferences and more amateur parties like small dinners or house parties, but there was a big gap for those planners who fell in the middle. Those in the middle were forced to use solutions from either end of the spectrum, depending on the needs of their event, but didn't really cater to them at all. Essentially, they were also "hacking" their event with apps that didn't fit their needs.

Our competitive analysis revealed that there were solutions for big enterprises like those who hold conferences and more amateur parties like small dinners or house parties, but there was a big gap for those planners who fell in the middle. Those in the middle were forced to use solutions from either end of the spectrum, depending on the needs of their event, but didn't really cater to them at all. Essentially, they were also "hacking" their event with apps that didn't fit their needs.

After doing a bit more research, the persona we created was that of athe "Instagram Party Planner", a representation of those planning parties that fell in the middle. There is an uptick of event small business owners establishing themselves on Instagram due to its's visual nature and efficient social networking aspect.

After doing a bit more research, the persona we created was that of athe "Instagram Party Planner", a representation of those planning parties that fell in the middle. There is an uptick of event small business owners establishing themselves on Instagram due to its's visual nature and efficient social networking aspect.

After doing a bit more research, the persona we created was that of athe "Instagram Party Planner", a representation of those planning parties that fell in the middle. There is an uptick of event small business owners establishing themselves on Instagram due to its's visual nature and efficient social networking aspect.

Lori

25 years old

Small Business Owner

"Instagram Party Planner"

ABOUT

New business owner who started making balloon arches and expanded her business into event coordination.

Maintain & grow client base

Add parties to their Instagram portfolio

Build overall business

Stay organized

Better time management

Clear communication with client and guests

Small budget

Moving parts are overwhelming

The smallest mistakes cost her time and money

MOTIVATIONS

GOALS

PAIN POINTS

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Defining
the MVP

Defining
the MVP

Defining
the MVP

Strategizing our approach

There are many moving parts in the event planning lifecycle, and it was my job to define what to include and exclude. After encountering scope creep multiple times, I finally decided on the 4 major user flows and brainstormed what to include in those flows.

There are many moving parts in the event planning lifecycle, and it was my job to define what to include and exclude. After encountering scope creep multiple times, I finally decided on the 4 major user flows and brainstormed what to include in those flows.

There are many moving parts in the event planning lifecycle, and it was my job to define what to include and exclude. After encountering scope creep multiple times, I finally decided on the 4 major user flows and brainstormed what to include in those flows.

Guest Input

We went back and forth on whether we wanted to include guests in the planning process, as we thought this would improve their experience. However, we wanted to give planners the ultimate authority and having guests involved with planning would make the process more complicated.

Including vendors

By adding vendors, our app became even more technically complicated than it already was. For the MVP we wanted to prioritize features that did not include a third party.

Feature Graveyard 🪦

Here are some feature ideas I scrapped:

Here are some feature ideas I scrapped:

Here are some feature ideas I scrapped:

Main user flows:

How might we ensure that each guest is taken care of?

Spreadsheet import

Contact list import

Social media friends

Templates

Custom fields

One touch interactions

Drag and drop

Tagging feature

Automation

Reminders

Automated messaging

How might we cater to different events?

How might we make seating intuitive?

How might we increase response rates and keep them organized?

Create Event

Seating

RSVPs

Add Guests

Chatbot

Wireframes & User Flows

Wireframes & User Flows

Wireframes & User Flows

After sketching some ideas, I created mid-fidelity wireframes based on our defined user task flows and continued to collaborate, iterate, and adapt as needed.

After sketching some ideas, I created mid-fidelity wireframes based on our defined user task flows and continued to collaborate, iterate, and adapt as needed.

After sketching some ideas, I created mid-fidelity wireframes based on our defined user task flows and continued to collaborate, iterate, and adapt as needed.

Ideating potential features and usability considerations

EVENT CREATION

Templates

Drag & arrange tables

CHATBOT

Keeping guest effort minimal as possible

Answers will be recorded on their profile without event planner doing anything

RUN OF SHOW

Events that have passed will turn grey, active events are highlighted

Each event can expand to display more information

SEATING

Horizontal/

vertical scroll

Another touchpoint to get RSVPs

Multiple ways to view tables

Can export or print

GUESTLIST

Multiple methods of importing guest information

Drag guests to add them to that bucket, used for seating people who are in the same groups / have things in common

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Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming Obstacles

Event hosts manually enter tags

Drag guests to buckets, which AI will use to automate seating

AI Solution

Manual Solution

I developed a solution to automate features without AI. I used tagging to group guests and make seating more efficient. For our MVP it would be a manual task - but when we have fewer constraints and can implement AI, it can automatically create seating arrangements.

I developed a solution to automate features without AI. I used tagging to group guests and make seating more efficient. For our MVP it would be a manual task - but when we have fewer constraints and can implement AI, it can automatically create seating arrangements.

I developed a solution to automate features without AI. I used tagging to group guests and make seating more efficient. For our MVP it would be a manual task - but when we have fewer constraints and can implement AI, it can automatically create seating arrangements.

My team and I were very ambitious and wanted AI to be integrated with every step of the user flow. However, after discussing with engineers, we realized we did not have the financial resources, manpower, and time to implement AI or certain complicated interactions that happen for our MVP.

My team and I were very ambitious and wanted AI to be integrated with every step of the user flow. However, after discussing with engineers, we realized we did not have the financial resources, manpower, and time to implement AI or certain complicated interactions that happen for our MVP.

My team and I were very ambitious and wanted AI to be integrated with every step of the user flow. However, after discussing with engineers, we realized we did not have the financial resources, manpower, and time to implement AI or certain complicated interactions that happen for our MVP.

Letting go of desired features and adapting to constraints

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Final Solution

Final Solution

Final Solution

While simple, our solution juggles all the complex moving parts of an event while prioritizing how each step will affect guests. To see how this solution works in real time,

let's plan a graduation party together!


(Visuals might take a second to load, I promise they're worth the wait!)

While simple, our solution juggles all the complex moving parts of an event while prioritizing how each step will affect guests. To see how this solution works in real time,

let's plan a graduation party together!


(Visuals might take a second to load, I promise they're worth the wait!)

While simple, our solution juggles all the complex moving parts of an event while prioritizing how each step will affect guests. To see how this solution works in real time,

let's plan a graduation party together!


(Visuals might take a second to load, I promise they're worth the wait!)

GUESTLIST

Let's add guests! I import everyone on my contact list. Uh oh! I realize that Nicole's email is missing so I can't send her an invite. I send her a text through our chatbot and she quickly texts me her email which I then add to her profile.

Let's add guests! I import everyone on my contact list. Uh oh! I realize that Nicole's email is missing so I can't send her an invite. I send her a text through our chatbot and she quickly texts me her email which I then add to her profile.

Embedding the chatbot into the app was important because users expressed that they didn't want to download another app just to respond as a guest. Messages from the app are sent as texts to a guest's phone.

Pivotal Design Decision

90% of our users mentioned they plan on paper first so I had to figure out a way to accommodate this learned behavior and encourage them to plan on the app. However, users did not like looking at floor plans on mobile because it required too much scrolling so I created tablet and desktop versions to cater to those who like to plan on larger screens.

90% of our users mentioned they plan on paper first so I had to figure out a way to accommodate this learned behavior and encourage them to plan on the app. However, users did not like looking at floor plans on mobile because it required too much scrolling so I created tablet and desktop versions to cater to those who like to plan on larger screens.

90% of our users mentioned they plan on paper first so I had to figure out a way to accommodate this learned behavior and encourage them to plan on the app. However, users did not like looking at floor plans on mobile because it required too much scrolling so I created tablet and desktop versions to cater to those who like to plan on larger screens.

Pivotal Design Decision

EVENT CREATION

Time to create our event and layout! I like to draw my plans out, so I'm glad there is a sketch-to-vector feature that automatically transfers my drawing into the app! Then I move to my tablet to start seating people because I prefer the bigger screen.

Time to create our event and layout! I like to draw my plans out, so I'm glad there is a sketch-to-vector feature that automatically transfers my drawing into the app! Then I move to my tablet to start seating people because I prefer the bigger screen.

Originally, there was a completely different tab for the tagging system. However, users were forgetting to check it. By integrating it into the guest profile, users were more likely to tag guests.

Originally, there was a completely different tab for the tagging system. However, users were forgetting to check it. By integrating it into the guest profile, users were more likely to tag guests.

Originally, there was a completely different tab for the tagging system. However, users were forgetting to check it. By integrating it into the guest profile, users were more likely to tag guests.

Pivotal Design Decision

RSVP

The invites are sent! Most of them have replied but I notice that Max and Francesca have yet to respond. I send them a reminder through out chatbot. Francesca immediately answers and I update her profile.

The invites are sent! Most of them have replied but I notice that Max and Francesca have yet to respond. I send them a reminder through out chatbot. Francesca immediately answers and I update her profile.

I went with a Google Doc style to see other collaborators. Users were concerned that too many unexpected changes would be overwhelming, so I decided to make the event planners confirm changes before they're implemented.

COLLABORATION

Pivotal Design Decision

Let's work on seating together! You made some changes (in orange) that I just approved. I asked a few classmates to look at seating and they just joined the workspace, you can see who is here by the picture icons at the top.

Let's work on seating together! You made some changes (in orange) that I just approved. I asked a few classmates to look at seating and they just joined the workspace, you can see who is here by the picture icons at the top.

RUN OF SHOW

Today's the day! We created a run of show that breaks down the sequence of events for the day. It's 3 pm and the photographer is nowhere to be found! Thankfully we input our vendor information and his phone number is easily accesible without leaving the app. We call him and he says he's running 5 minutes late. Whew! Crisis averted. Now let's get this party started!

Today's the day! We created a run of show that breaks down the sequence of events for the day. It's 3 pm and the photographer is nowhere to be found! Thankfully we input our vendor information and his phone number is easily accesible without leaving the app. We call him and he says he's running 5 minutes late. Whew! Crisis averted. Now let's get this party started!

Users really liked having pertinent information directly accessible without having to leave the app. From our interviews, event planners mentioned that there was no solution on the market that was useful DURING the event - it was mostly used for pre-planning. The ROS provides this value.

Pivotal Design Decision

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Business Impact

We designed the app to work on a freemium model, with an ad-supported free version and 3 paid levels to bring in more revenue but also provide value for a wider range of users:

We designed the app to work on a freemium model, with an ad-supported free version and 3 paid levels to bring in more revenue but also provide value for a wider range of users:

We designed the app to work on a freemium model, with an ad-supported free version and 3 paid levels to bring in more revenue but also provide value for a wider range of users:

Free

Free

Free

$0

$0

/month

/month

/month

Ad-supported access to non-AI features for < 100 guests

Ad-supported access to non-AI features for < 100 guests

Ad-supported access to non-AI features for < 100 guests

Personal

Personal

Personal

$9

$9

/month

/month

/month

Ad-free access for events < 100 guests

Ad-free access for events < 100 guests

Ad-free access for events < 100 guests

Professional

Professional

Professional

$20

$20

/month

/month

/month

Ad-free access for events > 100 guests

Ad-free access for events > 100 guests

Ad-free access for events > 100 guests

Business

Business

Business

$50

$50

/month

/month

/month

Unlimited guests and access to personal event coordinator

Unlimited guests and access to personal event coordinator

Unlimited guests and access to personal event coordinator

This app was not something that was intended to use daily, because we knew that that the event planning lifecycle only lasted a few months on average. With this mind, these were the 4 core metrics we decided to make a priority:

This app was not something that was intended to use daily, because we knew that that the event planning lifecycle only lasted a few months on average. With this mind, these were the 4 core metrics we decided to make a priority:

This app was not something that was intended to use daily, because we knew that that the event planning lifecycle only lasted a few months on average. With this mind, these were the 4 core metrics we decided to make a priority:

ACQUISITION

How many users did we get this week?

How many users did we get this week?

How many users did we get this week?

ACTIVITY

How many events were created?

How many events were created?

How many events were created?

RETENTION

How many users use the app for the whole event?

How many users use the app for the whole event?

How many users use the app for the whole event?

REVENUE

How much did we make from the premium levels?

How much did we make from the premium levels?

How much did we make from the premium levels?

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Brand & Style Guide

I wanted to strike a balance between fun and modern when it came to branding. The logo is modeled after neon lights and balloons, juxtaposed by the clean and modern look of the rest of the app. I advocated for adding 3D elements as opposed to the popular flat trend in design, as a way to elevate the brand but also align with Web3 brands that are following this aesthetic. The long-term vision for SeatPlan is to incorporate advanced and innovative technology such as planning in AR/VR, and we want the brand style to reflect our future plans.

I wanted to strike a balance between fun and modern when it came to branding. The logo is modeled after neon lights and balloons, juxtaposed by the clean and modern look of the rest of the app. I advocated for adding 3D elements as opposed to the popular flat trend in design, as a way to elevate the brand but also align with Web3 brands that are following this aesthetic. The long-term vision for SeatPlan is to incorporate advanced and innovative technology such as planning in AR/VR, and we want the brand style to reflect our future plans.

I wanted to strike a balance between fun and modern when it came to branding. The logo is modeled after neon lights and balloons, juxtaposed by the clean and modern look of the rest of the app. I advocated for adding 3D elements as opposed to the popular flat trend in design, as a way to elevate the brand but also align with Web3 brands that are following this aesthetic. The long-term vision for SeatPlan is to incorporate advanced and innovative technology such as planning in AR/VR, and we want the brand style to reflect our future plans.

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If I Had More Time…

This was the project I spent the most time with and built icompletely from the ground up. There are so many other things I would like to do in the future which includes but is not limited to:

This was the project I spent the most time with and built icompletely from the ground up. There are so many other things I would like to do in the future which includes but is not limited to:

This was the project I spent the most time with and built icompletely from the ground up. There are so many other things I would like to do in the future which includes but is not limited to:

I was so intent on ensuring that I got to the root of the problem that I spent more time researching than building. I would definitely build more and iterate on those choices instead of being paralyzed by the fear of being right and not getting anything accomplished at all. I also get inspiration while I'm building so I believe I can come up with more innovative solutions if I build more often.

I was so intent on ensuring that I got to the root of the problem that I spent more time researching than building. I would definitely build more and iterate on those choices instead of being paralyzed by the fear of being right and not getting anything accomplished at all. I also get inspiration while I'm building so I believe I can come up with more innovative solutions if I build more often.

I was so intent on ensuring that I got to the root of the problem that I spent more time researching than building. I would definitely build more and iterate on those choices instead of being paralyzed by the fear of being right and not getting anything accomplished at all. I also get inspiration while I'm building so I believe I can come up with more innovative solutions if I build more often.

Build and iterate more often

I definitely could have done a better job at adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. I spent so much time iterating on the layout feature that I didn't spend enough time making sure it was accessible for all.

I definitely could have done a better job at adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. I spent so much time iterating on the layout feature that I didn't spend enough time making sure it was accessible for all.

I definitely could have done a better job at adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. I spent so much time iterating on the layout feature that I didn't spend enough time making sure it was accessible for all.

Adhere to WCAG guidelines
Explore VR/AR and AI

💭

💭

The vision for SeatPlan was to be the event planning app of the metaverse, but we solved root user problems before scaling It. For V2, I would explore how VR/AR and AI integrations would work with the current features. This would include exploring what hardware we would need to integrate into our current solution, as well as new development technology.

The vision for SeatPlan was to be the event planning app of the metaverse, but we solved root user problems before scaling It. For V2, I would explore how VR/AR and AI integrations would work with the current features. This would include exploring what hardware we would need to integrate into our current solution, as well as new development technology.

The vision for SeatPlan was to be the event planning app of the metaverse, but we solved root user problems before scaling It. For V2, I would explore how VR/AR and AI integrations would work with the current features. This would include exploring what hardware we would need to integrate into our current solution, as well as new development technology.

💭

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Reflection

Reflection

Reflection

AI- Yi- Yi!

Designing for AI is a whole other battle. Most of the functionalities are aided by AI, and if I had more time for this project I would have explored more about the effects of AI algorithms in design. It also taught me that “The AI will do it” is not an acceptable excuse for design problems that don’t have an easy answer. There are clear ways to guide the user or design systems to achieve goals without AI.

Paper beats rock and scissors

The most efficient solution is usually analog: paper was our biggest competitor. From our interviews, most event planners preferred to write because it was the lowest learning curve, most cost effective, and customizable platform. We extensively studied the pros and cons of paper which informed most of our design decisions.

Treat the root cause, not the symptom

When there are many moving parts to a problem, getting to the root solves 90% of it: the moving part of the problem we first approached was visualizing seating arrangements, but after digging deeper we come to realize that it was just the symptoms of one of the three main issues of lack of communication, disorganization, and time consuming nature of party planning. Solving those root problems allowed us to effectively solve our initial problem. 

  • more work ✨

  • more work ✨

  • more work ✨

  • more work ✨

  • more work ✨

Snowflake
SeatPlan
F.L.I.N.T.

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