First DIY Project Coach
Design a beginner-friendly project guide that helps someone choose, prepare, and safely finish one home repair.
The brief
Understand the problem
Background
Many do-it-yourself tutorials assume tools, vocabulary, and confidence that beginners do not have. A focused coach can make small repairs approachable while clearly identifying work that requires a professional.
User context
Ari wants to repair a loose cabinet hinge. They have basic tools, a limited budget, and no previous repair experience.
Product problem
Beginners need realistic preparation, paced instructions, and safety checkpoints rather than an endless feed of polished project videos.
Objective
Create a project selection and step guide for completing a small repair with confidence and appropriate stop conditions.
What to design
Define the experience
Required experience
- Assess tools, time, budget, and confidence
- Choose a suitable beginner project
- Follow one step at a time with checkpoints
- Record the result or ask for help
Screens and states
- Readiness check
- Project overview
- Guided step
- Completion review
Core user flow
Follow the critical path
- 01
Ari confirms the hinge type and available screwdriver
- 02
The overview lists parts, cost, time, and likely difficulty
- 03
Ari follows each step and pauses at a stripped screw warning
- 04
They choose a recovery tip and finish the repair
Product rules
Requirements and constraints
Requirements
- Define unfamiliar terms beside the instruction
- Keep materials and expected cost visible before starting
- Mark hazards and professional-only work clearly
- Preserve progress when the user pauses
Constraints
- The flow should cover one small repair, not every trade
- Safety warnings cannot be hidden behind optional content
- Completion should not require posting a photo
Reality check
States worth considering
Finish line
What to deliver
- Four responsive screens covering preparation through completion
Optional direction
Visual resources
Use these as a starting constraint if you want one. They are not part of the required solution.