E-commerce Solution
for PVC Tile Manufacturer
Mobile Web, WebAR
Launched in August 2022
50% of Shipping Labor Reduced
Project Overview
A direct-to-customer solution with WebAR product preview features that enables customers to visualize and interact with materials in their own environment using mobile devices, reducing 50% of shipping labor.
Problem
The traditional tile sales process relies heavily on local retailers and physical samples.
During product selection, customers face a slow and inconvenient experience due to repeated sample requests and returns, while manufacturers absorb high shipping labor costs and significant material waste.
These inefficiencies reveal a growing need for a digital transformation that streamlines product evaluation, reduces waste, and modernizes the purchasing experience.
Role
Product Design Intern
Company
TRONNOVATE Design Laboratory
Team
2 Product Designer
1 Developer
Responsibility
Led UX research and experience design for a WebAR tile preview experience to streamline sample ordering.
Built production-read prototype for proposal pitching to stakeholder support visualized the experience design.
How do customers purchase tiles?
Through ethnographic interviews, we identified key pain points in this industry.
Typically, the material-selection process requires two rounds of sample shipping.
Customer visit the retailer store in person, request for a physical sample book. (For free)
Comparing the texture in the sample book with their place, contact the retailer for shipping selected 1:1 samples.
Try on the tile in the designated site.
Request and ship the final texture from the company.
Turn in the unwanted samples in the same delivery.
Pain Points of Stakeholders – What’s on Their Minds?
Through further interviews, we gained insight into the challenges faced by both Sunkite CORP and their customers.
Problem Statements
For Manufacturer (Sunkite CORP)
How might we optimize Sunkite CORP’s sales channel to reduce sample waste and shipping labor?
For Customer
How might we help customers select the right tile intuitively without geographical limitations?
Opportunity
Shipping and returning tile samples is time-consuming.
Applying AR technology to product preview features provides an opportunity to improve the selection process.
Solution Storyboard
Experience different tile materials instantly with AR filters, eliminating wait times.
With this approach, only one physical sample shipment is needed.
Customer browsing products on the website with real product scenarios shoots on the website for reference.
Use the AR filter to intuitively test different tile textures in real time, allowing you to find your ideal match quickly without ever needing to visit a retailer shop.
Simply add your selection to the cart, input your order details based on your measurements, and place your online order instantly.
Once confirmed, the tiles are shipped directly to your location, completing the hassle-free digital experience.
Wireframing
Identifying the optimal moment to introduce AR preview features within the mobile website flow.
Prototype and Challenge
Usability testing revealed differences between digital renderings and real-world lighting.
To address this, the team conducted product photography in actual environments to ensure AR previews accurately reflect real lighting conditions.
• Modeling the digital model in .usdz format.
• Align the patterns and diameter setting.
• User testing with colleagues on different devices (IOS/ Android).
• The rendered model colors were off from the actual tiles.
Having product shoots in real-life environment as the reference to adjust the virtual renders.
Product Launch
Business Impact
Boost Customer Experience
Simplified the complex purchasing process with a more intuitive customer experience.
Lower Shipping Cost & Labor
Reduced sample waste and saved 50% of shipping costs and labor through the direct-to-customer solution.
Borden the Business
Broke geographical resale limitations and expanded the business from local to nationwide.