2019
Leveraging AR To Spatially Assemble IKEA Furniture
Capstone
UX/UI CASE-STUDY
IKEA-Assemble is an augmented reality (AR) mobile app I created as my BA capstone project to make assembling IKEA furniture easier, and more accessible. This app guides users through the assembly process with real-time, step-by-step instructions on their mobile device, helping them avoid mistakes and stay on track. The idea was to take the classic DIY experience and give it a modern twist with AR, making it more engaging and accessible for everyone.
The project won the "Best in New Media" award at the Visions Festival in 2019.
The Solution: Modernizing the DIY Experience with AR
IKEA-Assemble uses augmented reality to guide users through the assembly process. By overlaying step-by-step instructions on the real-world pieces, the app helps users stay on track and avoid mistakes, turning the process into a smoother, more engaging experience.
The Problem: IKEA Furniture Assembly Can Be Frustrating
We’ve all been there—excited to set up new IKEA furniture, only to get stuck halfway through the instructions. It can be a headache, especially with their basic instruction manuals. Missing steps or unclear diagrams can lead to mistakes, making a fun task feel frustrating.
Discovery
Struggles with DIY Furniture Assembly
User frustrations with DIY furniture assembly are widely documented. A 2016 Design Council report revealed that 80% of consumers struggle with furniture assembly, finding the process time-consuming and confusing. Common pain points include difficulty interpreting instruction manuals, missing pieces, and the inability to visualize how components fit together. Studies and anecdotal evidence from forums like Reddit show that many users, especially with IKEA, often feel stressed and overwhelmed by the assembly process, leading to a negative overall experience.
IKEA’s User Experience in Context
IKEA has long been a leader in flat-pack furniture, but its assembly instructions have received ongoing criticism. In a 2020 IKEA customer satisfaction survey, a significant portion of respondents expressed frustration with their inability to easily follow the assembly instructions. These findings echo wider market research, which highlights that, despite IKEA's popularity, the traditional DIY experience remains a source of stress for many. This provided the foundation for exploring more user-friendly, innovative solutions like augmented reality to improve the assembly experience.
Research
Simplifying the User Flow
Once the wireframes were in place, I refined the flow to ensure users could easily scan, follow instructions, and track their progress without distraction. I conducted user testing with volunteers by having them build an IKEA chair using the prototype. This allowed me to gather feedback on usability and make adjustments to the layout before moving on to high-fidelity mockups.
Wireframing the Process
I began by mapping out the core user flow with simple wireframes. Each screen was designed to focus on key interactions like real-time visual cues, task progression, and progress tracking. I experimented with how AR overlays could appear on-screen and how best to display instructions and feedback to avoid overwhelming the user.
Low-Fi Designs
Proving the Concept with Motion
To bring the AR experience to life, I used After Effects to motion-track AR hints onto videos of people assembling the JOKKMOKK chair. This proof of concept demonstrated how the app would overlay step-by-step instructions in real time, offering a realistic preview of the experience. By motion-tracking the visual cues, I was able to showcase how the instructions would appear overlaid on the physical world, helping users visualize their progress and feel more confident during assembly.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Once the wireframes and user flow were validated, I moved into high-fidelity designs. Using Adobe XD, I created detailed mockups of the app, focusing on creating a clean and intuitive interface. I incorporated IKEA’s signature blue and yellow colors, along with additional cues like green and red to signify progress and accuracy. The design focused on maximizing screen real estate for the AR view while keeping essential elements like buttons and progress trackers easily accessible.
High-Fi Designs
PROJECT OVERVIEW
ROLE:
UX/UI Designer, Student
DURATION:
One Semester
After Effects
Adobe XD
Photoshop
TAKEAWAYS
IKEA-Assemble showed me how AR could make tasks like furniture assembly easier and more accessible. However, holding a phone while building proved difficult, and the experience would work better with a hands-free device like the Vision Pro or another mixed-reality headset—technology that wasn’t available in 2019. This project reinforced the value of blending innovation with usability, and I’m excited to explore more ways to integrate new tech into everyday tasks.
IN CONCLUSION
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