For project inquiries:
hellohiraali@gmail.com

9:22:25 PM

The names, trademarks, marks, and symbols belong to their respective owners.

Product Exploration

Buildable, turning inspiration into execution

Buildable, turning inspiration into execution

Overview

Buildable is a concept for an AI-powered DIY platform designed to help users go from inspiration to execution.

It reimagines how DIYers plan and complete creative projects by combining intelligent search, personalized planning, and interactive guidance.
Buildable is a concept for an AI-powered DIY platform designed to help users go from inspiration to execution.

It reimagines how DIYers plan and complete creative projects by combining intelligent search, personalized planning, and interactive guidance.

Role

Role

Product Designer

Timeline

Timeline

4 weeks

Course

Course

Hosted on Maven
Become an AI Product Designer

Main Challenge

DIY is inspiring — until it’s overwhelming.

DIY is inspiring — until it’s overwhelming.

Many DIYers feel motivated by ideas they see online, but struggle to get started. Tutorials are scattered. Skill levels are assumed. And decisions — from tools to steps to materials — often paralyze momentum.


In this project, I set out to understand where people get stuck, and how AI could help organize and elevate their creative process without taking over.

Research

Understanding the role of AI in Product Design

Understanding the role of AI in Product Design

I conducted a deep dive into the current landscape of AI product design. The goal was to understand how AI is being integrated into digital tools today—both successfully and unsuccessfully. I analyzed a range of AI products from chatbots like Perplexity to tools like Notion AI, Uizard, Lovable, DOT and Midjourney—to understand how AI is being positioned within the product experience. Through this research, I identified key friction points and ethical considerations designers face when working with AI.

Painpoints

Users often don’t know where to begin once they have an idea.

“I have the idea... but I never know where to start.”

Materials on hand are rarely factored into project discovery.

“I’ve got all this scrap wood—what can I even make with it?”

There’s a desire for AI to act as a collaborator, not a replacement.

“I don’t want AI to take over—I want it to help me build.”

Design Methods

Using smart recombine method to creatively solve problems.

Using smart recombine method to creatively solve problems.

Smart Recombine is a creative method for reimagining interactions by merging them with ideas from other disciplines. I was introduced to this approach by my instructor, Maheen Sohail, during the "Become an AI Product Designer" course. For this project, I applied the method by blending the exploratory nature of moodboarding with the structured logic of visual scripting.

Moodboarding

Visual Scripting

Solution

Designing an AI co-builder — not a chatbot.

Designing an AI co-builder
— not a chatbot.

Buildable is an AI-powered DIY workspace that turns scattered ideas into structured projects. Instead of treating AI as a passive assistant, I reimagined it as a collaborative workspace partner. One that helps users narrow down ideas, plan projects, adjust based on skill level and materials, and feel supported from start to finish — all without assuming too much control or adding complexity.

Consideration #1

AI Prompting

AI Prompting

Users can start by chatting with the AI or uploading photos of materials they already have. The AI then asks guided, contextual questions to help narrow down ideas and generate project suggestions. Conversations are saved and can be referenced at any time, supporting continuity and long-term creativity.

Consideration #2

Sketch-to-image
generation

Sketch-to-image generation

If AI-generated suggestions aren’t quite right, users can draw a rough sketch with notes. Buildable’s AI interprets these to create visual concepts that are more aligned with the user’s vision. It bridges the gap between low-fidelity ideas and high-fidelity previews.

Consideration #3

AI-Powered
project overview

AI-Powered project overview

Once an idea is formed, Buildable auto-generates a comprehensive overview. This helps users assess feasibility and prep everything upfront.

Consideration #4

Context-aware
branching

Context-aware branching

Buildable adapts in real-time. As users interact with the overview (e.g., selecting “Materials”), the AI branches out into relevant subcategories—such as a curated shopping list based on availability and price. Each decision unlocks deeper customization.

Consideration #5

Integrated
AI assistance

Integrated AI assistance

A persistent chatbot sits alongside the workspace, offering real-time support. For example, if a user says, “I want to add a navy stripe to my desk,” the AI suggests matching paint tones and updates the project preview accordingly—merging design feedback with visual iteration.

Consideration #6

Smart packing
and sharing

Smart packing and sharing

At the end of the journey, Buildable packages everything—plans, sketches, instructions, materials—into a neat, shareable file. Users can zoom out and reflect on their entire creative process, or share it with friends, family, or the Buildable community. A future iteration could allow Buildable to format these for remixing, helping others adapt and build on finished projects

Outcome

Enabling creativity,
not replacing it

Enabling creativity,
not replacing it

Designing beyond a chatbot
Buildable treats AI not as the end experience, but as a powerful support system interwoven through visual, instructional, and conversational design.
Supporting user agency
Buildable's feature empowers people to ideate, customize, and bring their own flavor to every project.