CVIEW

How can CARPOOS ease
the stressful car buying experience
and make it enjoyable?

PRODUCT

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Background

In 2012, CARPOOS sponsored research on how mobile apps were changing consumer decision-making as smartphones became mainstream. Research showed people used smartphones to seek validation and connect with communities, while dealer interviews highlighted the need for better customer interaction through an app. This project used those insights to reframe car buying as a guided, confidence-building experience led by the buyer. This suggested that the best mobile experience would help buyers validate ‘fit’ early—before dealer pressure begins.

Problem

Buying a car is a high-stakes decision, and many buyers lack car expertise—especially in pre-owned purchases where fear of overpaying is high. Dealer-driven interactions can add pressure, making it harder for customers to compare options calmly and feel confident about their final choice.

Solution

Concepted CVIEW, an augmented reality mobile app that lets customers visualize cars in their lifestyle context before stepping into a dealership. The differentiated value was shifting control to the buyer: users could explore, compare, and share options with decision helpers—reducing dealer pressure while making the journey more engaging. By pairing AR previews with structured comparison and shareable info cards, buyers could validate options with advisors before committing.

STRATEGY

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01. What to Achieve

Frame Question

• How can CARPOOS help buyers feel in control of car-buying decisions through an app?

Outcomes

• Shift CARPOOS from print-centric materials to a digital experience across channels

• Build a connected ecosystem linking buyers, dealers, and decision helpers through trusted interactions

• Expand services by partnering with third parties (insurance, loans, accessories) to create a scalable platform model

02. Where to Play

• Focus on the discovery-to-decision stage where uncertainty is highest and pressure derails decisions

• Target buyers who want structure and reassurance, including those relying on advisors and communities

• Use AR to translate “fit for my life” into a concrete evaluation signal, not just specs and photos

03. How to Win

• Pressure-free exploration: Buyers can preview and shortlist cars before dealer contact, reducing anxiety and enabling more trusted interactions.

• Lifestyle-first visualization: AR makes “fit” tangible—helping users see how a car matches real life, not just specs.

• Trusted decision support: Sharing flows bring in helpers (e.g., mechanics) and advisors early, improving decision quality.

04. Capabilities to Implement

• Build an AR app that visualizes cars aligned to needs and lifestyle scenarios

• Create structured information cards and sharing flows for advisors and dealers

• Add comparison tools that capture feedback and reduce cognitive load

• Implement sorting logic based on user priorities to surface best-fit choices

• Design a simple UI for exploration, wishlists, and confident decision-making

05. Management System to Grow

• Monitor feature impact on confidence signals: comparisons completed, shares sent, wishlists created

• Track advisor participation (e.g., mechanics) and integrate verified decision helper pathways

• Analyze preference and behavior data to refine recommendations and unlock market insights

06. Next Step / Future Foresight

• Build a crowd-sourced car community connecting buyers, dealers, and sellers

• Add group features and interaction channels to strengthen trust and validation

• Partner with insurance and financing providers to expand into a full car-buying platform

• Extend AR to accessories and manufacturer integrations to deepen the evaluation experience

FLOTO

How can we design
a feasible product and business model for drones
while considering their limitations?

PRODUCT

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Background

This graduate project was my first design strategy initiative, exploring how drones could create commercial value while balancing business viability, technical feasibility, and customer desirability. The 25-minute battery limit became the key constraint, which led to the helium approach and a service model optimized for events.

Problem

In 2012, commercial drones were just entering the market and were viewed mostly as toys, while facing strict constraints like short flight time, legal restrictions, and social stigma. Within these limitations, what new service and business model could drones enable?

Solution

Designed FLOTO, a helium balloon-based flying photo booth that captures photos on demand with less reliance on limited drone battery time. The service includes an app for capture, editing, and sharing, and a post-event package that delivers all media to the host plus a template for a private virtual space where guests can continue interacting after the event. The post-event private space extends engagement and creates a repeatable value loop for hosts—supporting retention and referrals.

STRATEGY

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01. What to Achieve

Frame Question

• How can we create a commercially viable drone service despite battery, legal, and social limitations?

Outcomes

• Develop a drone-enabled service that creates real-world value beyond hobby use

• Build a sustainable business model driven by repeatable service operations and post-event engagement

02. Where to Play

• Target events where people want memories without missing the moment (parties, gatherings)

• Serve two core users: hosts (memories + relationships) and guests (capture + share)

• Leverage a social trend: people engage more when the experience feels exclusive and personal

03. How to Win

• More presence during the event: Guests request photos on demand while key moments are captured in the background, keeping attention on the experience.

• Clearer privacy and ownership: Unique user IDs tag requested media, making sharing and tracking simple and reducing privacy friction.

• Stronger post-event relationships: A private online space enables continued interaction through shared photos, comments, and replaying memories.

• Exclusive community feel: A closed social circle increases emotional value beyond generic social posting.

04. Capabilities to Implement

• Develop drone hardware optimized for event photo/video capture

• Build the FLOTO app and website for capture requests, editing, and sharing

• Implement privacy controls (focus/range) to avoid unwanted subjects

• Assign unique user IDs to tag requested media for permission and tracking

• Provide hosts a private virtual space template to share content and continue engagement

• Include safety/compliance constraints (no-fly guidance, controlled range) to reduce legal and social friction during events.

05. Management System to Grow

• Standardize the service flow: balloon selection → order/invite → pre-event setup → event capture → return → upload → private space creation

• Track operational reliability (setup success, capture completion, turnaround time) and user engagement (shares, comments, revisits)

• Iterate onboarding, packaging, and workflows to improve repeatability

06. Next Step / Future Foresight

• Optimize operations in the LA area as phase one for repeatable delivery

• Build partnerships with companies using events as marketing channels

• Expand service scope while protecting the core value: private interaction during and after events

• Evolve FLOTO from a one-time booth into an exclusive community platform powered by shared memories