As the UX designer and product strategist for Cozy, I was given a clear objective - to create a user experience that was seamless, engaging, and facilitated ease of shopping for interior design products. The key challenge was to craft an interface that was intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring users could move effortlessly through the platform without feeling overwhelmed. Moreover, we had to consider significant business objectives. We hypothesized that the fastest way to generate revenue was through affiliate links from users buying products and selecting paint colors from the rooms we created. As such, we strived to enhance the user's ability to save rooms, and locate products and paint colors effortlessly. This was aimed at boosting purchases using affiliate links.

The design process commenced with the crucial steps of fleshing out the information architecture and mapping out the initial objects. This foundational work not only allowed us to visualize how different parts of the system would interact and function together, but also ensured we were building a cohesive, unified product, rather than a disjointed experience with disparate flows, features, and journeys. This comprehensive mapping also served as a practical guide for our developers, assisting them in preparing data models and strategizing about how data would circulate throughout the product.

Further, to ensure a user-centric design, I created user flow diagrams to map out the user journey, understanding and planning the myriad of interactions users would have with the platform. This strategy was pivotal in making the navigation intuitive and the user journey enjoyable, while also optimizing the path to purchase for our users.

Following this crucial groundwork, we embarked on the tangible design process, beginning with the construction of the interface's basic structure using wireframes. These initial sketches helped establish the overall flow of the platform and identify key features such as the room redesigner and AI-driven feeds. It was crucial to have a clean and straightforward layout to guide the user naturally from one section to another, and also to facilitate the user's shopping journey.

Once the wireframes were finalized, I brought the design to life by developing detailed mockups and interactive prototypes. These visual representations were instrumental in capturing the aesthetic and functional aspects of the interface, including the streamlined shopping experience and interactive elements. Particular attention was given to the design of the shopping feature, ensuring it was easy for users to find and purchase products and paint colors through our affiliate links.

One of the standout features of Cozy was the AI-driven feeds, developed based on user data. My approach was to create a system that dynamically adapted to user preferences, thus enhancing personalization, and also driving engagement with our affiliate links. My rationale for this approach was that a more personalized feed and inspiration would increase engagement, thereby increasing the likelihood of users utilizing the shopping features of the product.

During the early stages of Cozy, we received essential feedback that helped shape our design in significant ways. One primary concern users voiced was that the AI recommendations were too generic and were not well-tailored to their specific tastes. This feedback led us to revise the AI's algorithm. We incorporated more specific user data, including past design preferences and engagement history, to tailor recommendations more precisely to each user. Users responded positively to this change, noticing the improvement in the relevance of the design suggestions they received.

In parallel with fine-tuning the AI, we also faced challenges in the shopping experience. In the initial design, we separated the shopping of products and paint colors. Testing revealed that users considered paint to be another product, and they expected it to be included in the general shopping features rather than as a separate flow and UI element. This feedback prompted us to integrate the paint color selection into the general shopping flow, harmonizing the shopping process and aligning it more closely with user expectations. This change was well-received and led to improved user satisfaction, with users describing the shopping process as more intuitive and streamlined than before.

These adjustments, driven by user feedback, were critical in creating a design experience that was not only technically accurate but also user-friendly and engaging. This helped enhance the usability and visual appeal of Cozy, demonstrating the power and necessity of iterative design in creating a successful user experience.

Outcomes and Impact
Upon launch, Cozy received positive praise for its user-friendly design and the effective integration of AI recommendations. Upon gathering feedback from the initial release and iterating on that feedback, notable improvements were seen in user engagement, with a 40% increase in session duration and a 30% rise in conversion rates. The platform was particularly praised for its ease of use and the AI's ability to offer personalized design suggestions.

Learnings
This project underscored the significance of a research-driven approach in UX design, especially in applications leveraging advanced technology like AI. It highlighted the crucial role of UX designers in translating user needs and behaviors into a functional and delightful digital experience, proving essential in the successful adoption and satisfaction of users with Cozy.