Andrew Huang

Andrew Huang

Consolidating a 3D marketplace into a streamlined buying and selling experience.

Consolidating a 3D marketplace into a streamlined buying and selling experience.

Role

Product Designer

Timeline

May - August 2023

Team

Individual

Responsbility

Interaction Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design

Problem

3D printing audiences struggle to find, buy, and sell custom products.

Feature 01 /

3D Buyers Can Find Their Exact Type of 3D Product

3D Buyers Can Find Their 3D Product Type

Sorted categories and key information allows 3D enthusiasts to easily find the exact type of 3D product they are looking for.

Feature 02 /

3D Sellers Can Maximize Their 3D Product Selling

3D Sellers Can Maximize Their 3D Selling

Provides key information that 3D buyers are looking for in a 3D product to help sellers maximize the probability of selling.

Provides key information that 3D buyers are looking for in a 3D product to help sellers maximize the probability of selling their products.

Feature 03 /

Any 3D Enthusiasts Can Learn How to Create

To allow inclusive design, 3D buyers can learn how to sell and print their own files of 3D models.

Feature 04 /

3D Buyers Can Request Any 3D Custom Parts

3D buyers have the ability to request any 3D custom made parts from talented 3D experts.

Design Journey /

Opportunity /

How Much Do Consumers Care About 3D Printed Products?

95%

Consumers reported that they are excited about buying 3D printed products.

79%

Consumers would spend even more money at a store that offered product customization through 3D printing.¹

$66B

The global 3D printing market is projected to grow 66 billion USD by 2029.

Interviews /

Interview with a 3D Buyer

"

It's difficult for me to find a 3D printed product I'm looking for."

It's difficult for me to find a 3D printed product I'm looking for."

Steven, Age 24 Electrical Engineer

Steven, Age 24 Electrical Engineer

Full Interview

􀆊

Gained Insights

3D buyers look for key information of the 3D product to know if the 3D product is right for them.

Most 3D buyers are also enthusiasts, so most of them want to learn how to 3D print as a hobby.

Interview with a 3D Seller

"

3D custom parts helps industries solve problems."

Kevin, Age 54 Industrial Designer

Kevin, Age 54 Industrial Designer

Full Interview

􀆊

Gained Insights

3D sellers say they have the ability to create 3D custom made parts for their customers.

3D sellers show the importance of applied materials and dimensions when 3D printing.

Contextual Inquiry /

What Is The Process Like To 3D Print?

How might we /

How might we help buyers find desired 3D printed products and connect them with experts to request custom parts?

How might we help buyers find desired 3D printed products and connect them with experts to request custom parts?

How might we create a 3D marketplace to help buyers find their desired 3D printed products and connect with experts to request for custom parts?

Initial ideations /

Finding a 3D Product

Organizing by Types of 3D Products

When finding 3D products, buyers look for 3D files and printed products. The product page includes details buyers find important.

Requesting Custom Parts

When requesting custom parts, we integrated keywords that buyers need when connecting with 3D experts.

Usability tests /

Problem #1

Overwhelming Search Features

Most users felt overwhelmed by the amount of features to search. They only used the search and filter when finding their 3D products.

Problem #2

Difficulties Finding Custom Parts

80% of users had trouble finding 3D custom parts. They expected to buy custom parts in the buyers navigation.

Initial Solution

Solution

Simplifying search features and repositioning custom parts, enhanced discoverability for custom parts & simplicity finding 3D products.

Iteration #1

Search Button Used Frequently

The search button was used more than the filter when both show equal importance. The search button needed more prominence.

Iteration #2

Could Not Filter After Search

When finding a 3D product, users need to first categorize by 3D types before using the search. However, we had search at the top.

Outcome

Connecting the Filter With Search

By swapping the categories with search bar, users are able select types of 3D products and search within the filtered types.

Design Deliverable /

Graph Iterations /

Data visualization /

Information Architecture /

Typography /

Icons & Color /

Outcome /

What I’ve Learned

HMWs helped narrow the most important needs to be solved.

HMWs helped narrow the most important needs to be solved.

Design systems ensured consistency in multi platforms.

Design systems ensured consistency in multi platforms.

Usability tests enabled effective design iterations.

Usability tests enabled effective design iterations.

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Let’s make some magic together!

© 2025 Andrew Huang. All Rights Reserved.

Let’s make some magic together!

© 2025 Andrew Huang. All Rights Reserved.