Virtual Bike Shop Customized Bike Platform

Industry

Bike

Project Type

POC High-fidelity prototype with integrated 3D scene

Duration

Oct-Nov 2024 (3-4 weeks)

My Role

UI/UX Designer

Client

Team

1 Developer, 1 Game Engineer, 1 Stakeholder

Tools

Figma, Adobe XD, Zeplin, Full Story, Google Analytics

Overview

Giant, a globally recognized cycling brand, wanted to refresh its online bike customization experience using modern technology. As the UI/UX designer, I led the UX direction from product brainstorming to prototype development with the engineering team to create demo versions. Our team delivered a working demo within three weeks using Unreal Engine-based 3D streaming.

Impact

Built a 0→1 POC in 3 Weeks

Rapidly designed and prototyped a fully interactive virtual bike shopping experience.

100% Positive Stakeholder Validation

The concept prototype received unanimous approval during internal testing, validating the product vision and interaction model.

Virtual Bike Shop Customized Bike Platform

Industry

Bike

Project Type

POC High-fidelity prototype with integrated 3D scene

Duration

Oct-Nov 2024 (3-4 weeks)

My Role

UI/UX Designer

Client

Team

1 Developer, 1 Game Engineer, 1 Stakeholder

Tools

Figma, Adobe XD, Zeplin, Full Story, Google Analytics

Overview

Giant, a globally recognized cycling brand, wanted to refresh its online bike customization experience using modern technology. As the UI/UX designer, I led the UX direction from product brainstorming to prototype development with the engineering team to create demo versions. Our team delivered a working demo within three weeks using Unreal Engine-based 3D streaming.

Impact

Built a 0→1 POC in 3 Weeks

Rapidly designed and prototyped a fully interactive virtual bike shopping experience.

100% Positive Stakeholder Validation

The concept prototype received unanimous approval during internal testing, validating the product vision and interaction model.

Virtual Bike Shop Customized Bike Platform

Industry

Bike

Project Type

POC High-fidelity prototype with integrated 3D scene

Duration

Oct-Nov 2024 (3-4 weeks)

My Role

UI/UX Designer

Client

Team

1 Developer, 1 Game Engineer, 1 Stakeholder

Tools

Figma, Adobe XD, Zeplin, Full Story, Google Analytics

Overview

Giant, a globally recognized cycling brand, wanted to refresh its online bike customization experience using modern technology. As the UI/UX designer, I led the UX direction from product brainstorming to prototype development with the engineering team to create demo versions. Our team delivered a working demo within three weeks using Unreal Engine-based 3D streaming.

Impact

Built a 0→1 POC in 3 Weeks

Rapidly designed and prototyped a fully interactive virtual bike shopping experience.

100% Positive Stakeholder Validation

The concept prototype received unanimous approval during internal testing, validating the product vision and interaction model.

Problem

Outdated Custom Bike System with Unclear UI and Low Engagement

The client's original "Customer-Made Bicycle" feature was purely text-based, accompanied by static images that lacked visual hierarchy and interactive cues. Key components of the customization process appeared unclickable, making it unclear to users how to begin or navigate the experience.

The page design lacked engagement and failed to evoke the excitement typically associated with building a personalized product.

Understand Business Goals

Balance the Client Goals & User Needs

Our Team

  • Win the client by delivering a compelling demo

  • Focus on showcasing ideas, not full implementation

  • Win the client by delivering a compelling demo

  • Focus on showcasing ideas, not full implementation

Client /GIANT

  • Refresh brand image with innovative tech

  • Improve online customization experience

  • Drive more traffic to physical stores

  • Refresh brand image with innovative tech

  • Improve online customization experience

  • Drive more traffic to physical stores

Users Benefit

  • Easily explore customization options

  • Receive upfront info and price estimate for their dream bike

  • Easily explore customization options

  • Receive upfront info and price estimate for their dream bike

Product Goals

Product Goals

Product Goals

Redesign the online bike buying journey

Redesign the online bike buying journey

Redesign the online bike buying journey

Create a more immersive and interactive experience

Create a more immersive and interactive experience

Create a more immersive and interactive experience

Increase perceived value and encourage in-store visits

Increase perceived value and encourage in-store visits

Increase perceived value and encourage in-store visits

Challenge

  • Ambiguous requirements and minimal access to end-users

  • Need to design UI that complemented an immersive 3D environment

  • 3 to 4 weeks deadline with limited user research time

Process

Desktop research and looking alaogous ideas

Collecting ideas, discover possibility and quick wireframe.

Collecting ideas, discover possibility and quick wireframe.

I conducted desktop research and discovered a bike repair game that inspired interactive design elements. This helped me understand how users engage with bike-related activities in a digital space and informed the customization features of the virtual bike shop.

Conducted competitive and internal flow analysis

Collecting ideas, discover possibility and quick wireframe.

I analyzed both competitor platforms and internal workflows to identify pain points and optimize user flows. This helped ensure the design would be both competitive and user-friendly, providing a seamless experience for bike customization and purchase.

User Flow

We streamlined Giant’s original 5-step customization process into 3 key steps by combining model selection, colors, and parts. The goal was to make the experience more immersive, creative, and game-like—making the bike-building journey simpler and more engaging.

Define & Develop

Wireframe Skipped

Delivered high-fidelity mockups early to gather fast feedback

We decided to create a mockup quickly as soon as possible and skipped the wireframes to gain more feedback from clients and our stakeholders. A high fidelity mockups help them to imagine and presented our ideas thoroughly. Therefore we can gain more genuine feedbacks and apply a UI kit template to quickly draft high fidelity mockups.

We simplified Giant’s original 5-step customization process into a streamlined 3-step flow by combining related steps. A fixed stepper was added to clearly show progress, and the layout was adjusted by moving the selection panel from left to right—freeing space and keeping the 3D bike view prominent for a smoother interaction.

Clients feedback and Validation

Client Expected a More Striking Experience

Overall process is fine and the step is good and clear. The content and bike description is correct. However they have higher expectations of visual and the 3D scene design. The current version is too boring.

What did we do afterward?

Improved UX & Interaction Flow

Improve UI and 3D scene to create a gaming like interface , immersive and add more fun

We simplified Giant’s original 5-step customization process into a streamlined 3-step flow by combining related steps. A fixed stepper was added to clearly show progress, and the layout was adjusted by moving the selection panel from left to right—freeing space and keeping the 3D bike view prominent for a smoother interaction.

UI & 3D Scene

Enhanced UI & 3D Scene for a Game-Like Experience

By combining the model, color, and parts selection stages, we streamlined Giant’s original 5-step customization process into a more intuitive 3-step flow while maintaining clarity. A fixed stepper was added to guide users, and the layout was adjusted—moving the selection panel from left to right—to optimize space and ensure the bike preview remains visible.

Feature Highlights

Step 1

Choose a Bike Model

Users begin by selecting their preferred bike model from a range of options.

Step 2

Customize Components & Colors

Users can personalize their bike by customizing each component, including colors, gear types, front and rear tires, and more.

Step 3

Review and Finalize Order

Once customization is complete, users can review their order. They can either be directed to Giant's official website for purchase or opt to schedule a meeting with a specialist at a Giant store for further assistance.

Feedback from Clients

Giant responded positively to the immersive experience and flow clarity

Giant’s were impressed how we manage to rebuild their customize cycles service which is creative and can bring a whole new shopping experience towards their customers. However, the POC project didn’t have chance to be launched and become a real product. The main problem is technical cost. In order to fulfill live stream gaming scene we use Unreal engine and 3D live streaming technology which cost on cloud service is huge.

Takeaway & What I have Learn

✦ Learned to align better with the 3D team's visual constraints

The key is keeping communication with the key man in this project is the our contact person from Giant’s who deeply knows their requirement and domain knowledge. From quickly crafting a mockup to verify our idea and gradually refine the result.

✦ Would prioritize user testing or internal surveys if more time was available

As for my self, the next time I could do better with communicate the 3D team to know what actual background might look like therefore the make sure the UI could perfectly fit with 3D scene. As for this project, the distance between UI and the 3D model bike is a little bit too close to each other. Some of the UI cover the 3D model.

Thanks for reading! 😊🙏

Thanks for reading! 😊🙏

Create a free website with Framer, the website builder loved by startups, designers and agencies.