Enhancing Collaboration for Interior Design Projects
A B2B solution to facilitate communication and project tracking for clients and designers
Introduction
Control XR, formerly known as Desi9n-1-1 is an interior design company that's building a new interior design platform that bridges the gap between design professionals and their clients—both businesses and homeowners. My role involved conducting comprehensive research, including surveys, interviews, and card sorting, to gather insights on user communication preferences, design review processes, and project tracking needs.
Role
Tools
Timeline
Lead UX Researcher
Miro, Lysnna, Calendly, Zoom
Feb 2025-April 2025
Business Objectives
1
Position Control XR as a category leader in XR-powered interior design for B2B
2
Streamline design collaboration, approval workflows, and client decision-making
3
Increase project efficiency through better communication and progress tracking
4
Differentiate from competitors (e.g., Havenly, Deckorilla) via immersive and integrated design experiences
5
Explore AI/voice automation for design suggestions and rendering
Research Objectives
1
Understand how B2B & B2C clients collaborate with design professionals
2
Explore preferences around reviewing, approving, or modifying design options
3
Validate expectations around project visibility (budget, deliveries, and progress)
4
Test appetite for immersive and AI-powered tools like VR or voice commands
Research Timeline
Participants
27
Participants Total
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Interviews: 5 (2 B2C, 3 B2B)
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Survey Responses: 9
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Card Sorting Participants: 15
Limitations
Limitations | Description |
|---|---|
Self-Reported Data | People shared what they say they do and prefer, which doesn’t always match how they actually may interact with a product in real life. |
Remote Research Environment | Everything was done online, so we couldn’t see how users interact with platforms in real life or test VR tools in person. |
Tech Acquaintance | Not everyone who participated had experience with VR, so some hesitation may’ve been more about unfamiliarity than dislike. |
Outcome
Methods + Insights
Interviews
I conducted interviews with 3 B2B and 2 B2C clients to delve into their collaboration experiences. Participants were selected based on their engagement in recent projects, aiming for a diverse set of insights on pain points and preferences in communication styles.
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Clients valued in-depth vision discovery with designers
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Many used spreadsheets for budgeting
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Trust was lost when teams failed to communicate consistently
01
“I want my tile guy, my electrician, everybody to be in one place where they can ask questions.“
02
“I want to feel like someone gets what I'm trying to do.”
03
“I got my neighbors pallet of bricks once. I need to know when and where stuff is being delivered.”
04
“I kept a running tab of how much I spent.”
05
“I'd love someone to say, ‘You're approaching your budget—find a cheaper option.’”
06
“I made grouped purchases from one vendor so I could plan better financially.”
Surveys
I designed a survey targeting both business and residential clients who had recently worked with interior designers. The goal was to quantify collaboration preferences, feedback methods, and budget tracking needs. Key questions explored how clients review designs, communicate with designers, and monitor project progress. Analyzing the results helped uncover clear patterns that directly shaped UX recommendations.
80%
prioritized clear, visual budget tools
72%
favored immersive design previews
27%
saw VR as essential; the majority said 3D previews or room-based views were more convenient
Card Sorting
I created three separate card sorting activities focused on key areas of the design experience: collaboration, design review, and project tracking. Participants were asked to prioritize features they found most valuable in each category. The goal was to better understand what clients expect from a design platform and how they mentally group tasks and tools. Analyzing the patterns revealed consistent priorities that informed feature hierarchy and product strategy.
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Top Collaboration Features: live consults, 3D walkthroughs, mood boards
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Top Design Review Needs: side-by-side comparisons, cost breakdowns
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Top Tracking Tools: visual budgets, alerts, milestone updates
Personas
Sasha – The New Homeowner
Curious, creative, eager to learn through the process
Role: Marketing professional
Goals: Renovate room-by-room with a cohesive vision and track spending along the way
Pain Point: Intimidated by complex tools and unsure how to translate vision into practical steps
Quote: “I know how I want it to feel—but figuring out how to start is the hardest part
our own content. Adjust the font, size or scale to customize the style.
Recommendations
Feature | Reasoning |
|---|---|
Milestone Scheduling | Let clients book video or in-person check-ins when it matters most |
Shared Project Space | Designers, clients, contractors can all stay in one place to talk and understand design specifications |
Final Review Mode | Final Review Mode: approve or request changes all at once with live comments on areas of concern |
Budget Dashboard | Dashboard with live totals, room/category filters, and alerts near budget caps |
Shipping Tracker | Shipping verification + delivery notifications; status tracking built into the platform |
Reflection
This case study revealed that even tech-savvy clients fall back on manual systems when platforms fail to offer clarity and control. The research empowered design around these gaps.
