How might we create an intuitive user experience for complex digital fabrication?
Leading the design of Makerarm, a groundbreaking desktop fabrication system, I focused on making complex manufacturing processes accessible and user-friendly. The project successfully raised over $435,000 on Kickstarter and garnered significant attention for its innovative approach to democratizing manufacturing technology.
MY ROLE
Design Lead
UX Designer
Software Architect
TOOLS & METHODS
User Research
Prototyping
Interface Design
Full-stack Development
TEAM
Tashfeen Ahmed
Azam Shahani
Yasir Sheikh
DURATION
1.5 years
Challenge
The primary challenge was creating a unified user experience that could seamlessly handle multiple manufacturing processes. We needed to design an interface that would make complex fabrication accessible to makers while maintaining professional-grade capabilities.
Solution
I led the development of Makerarm.io, a browser-based control interface that revolutionised how users interact with manufacturing equipment. The software features real-time 3D visualization, intuitive controls, and smart tool detection, making complex fabrication processes accessible to both novices and experts.
Adaptive Interface
Smart tool detection system that automatically adjusts the interface based on the attached fabrication head.
Wireless Control
Cloud-based architecture enabling remote control from any device, anywhere.
Teaching Mode
Interactive system allowing users to train the arm through demonstration.
Impact
The project exceeded its funding goal by 25%, raising over $435,000 on Kickstarter. The interface design received particular praise, with TechCrunch highlighting its ability to "make complex fabrication accessible to anyone." The software architecture we developed became a blueprint for future desktop manufacturing systems.
Key Learnings
Leading this project taught me the importance of balancing innovation with usability. While we pushed the boundaries of what's possible in desktop fabrication, we never lost sight of our core goal: making manufacturing technology accessible to everyone. The project's success demonstrated that complex technical capabilities can be delivered through simple, intuitive interfaces when user experience is prioritised throughout the development process.