Over the summer, I had a 9-week internship with Warp Engine, a human-centered AIGC start-up company based in Shanghai, China. I joined a cross-functional team in developing "Humanice," an AI-powered chatbot app to it's internal launch 🚀
I collaborated with the product team to conduct user research, develop user flows, and design user interfaces for critical screens. Additionally, I produced responsive prototypes and maintained clear communication with developers to ensure the seamless implementation of the design.
WarpEngine is dedicated to developing killer new Gen-AI applications for cutting-edge computer vision, speech synthesis, natural language processing, machine learning, and virtual reality technologies.
Warp Engine currently has a profitable Meta Human b2b website employing its technology, however, it would like to expand to the market to customer-facing applications.
The team was in the process of developing an AI Chatbot App named Humanice, with the goal of incorporating their meta-human technology to improve the user experience by adding a more humane touch. However, challenges arose during the exploration phase:
Integrating human-like appearance AI into conversations could evoke negative emotions due to the uncanny valley effect
Maintaining a natural back-and-forth conversation, typical of human interactions, proved challenging
Balancing between an informative chatbot, typical of currently popular models, and one that is engaging, entertaining, and retains a personal touch poses a significant challenge
The meta-human technology being utilized was still in its early stages, leading to instability in connections and potentially affecting the overall quality of the user experience
How can we effectively utilize this technology and customize it to ensure a user-friendliness and engagement conversation experience?
Research shows that 20% of Gen Z users prefer using chatbots for customer service, compared to just 4% of Boomers.
Gen Z consumers have a heavy smartphone usage, averaging 5 hours daily. While Gen X consumers also engage with chatbots, spending 2-3 hours daily on smartphones, our primary focus remains on Gen Z's preferences and behaviors.
The team was in the process of developing an AI Chatbot App named Humanice, with the goal of incorporating their meta-human technology to improve the user experience by adding a more humane touch. However, challenges arose during the exploration phase:
Witnessing the progressive integration of design work was an immensely rewarding experience. Working closely with both front-end and back-end developers has underscored the significance of robust design systems while emphasizing the critical need for thorough evaluation of edge cases.
Initially, I found it challenging to put forth ideas during company-wide meetings, particularly in the presence of experienced colleagues. However, following 1:1s with my mentor designer, I adopted the practice of preparing bullet-point lists and rehearsing my presentations in advance. As my internship progressed, I gained the confidence to present my design solutions, even in front of our CEO.
In my role as the sole intern within the product and design team, I had the unique chance to engage in research to understand our users, the market, competitors, and other relevant factors. Collaborating closely with the Product Manager, I actively participated in brainstorming sessions, placing a strong emphasis on adopting a product-centric mindset. This involved crafting functional ideas with a focus on creating the most appropriate features for the intended audience.
The Product and Design Team conducting user interviews at Bilibili World, China's largest event for anime and game enthusiasts.
Feel free to reach out!
I'm more than happy to chat about design, art, and my cats 🐱🐱🐱
