This phase is where research turns into direction. With personas, user stories, and journey maps already defined, it’s time to distill the core needs of each user into clear problem statements. These will act as the bridge between understanding the users and deciding what to build for them.

For me, this isn’t starting from scratch. In 2023, I led the design of a UE5 home configurator for the real estate market — not a prototype, but a live, market-facing tool used by actual customers to explore and customize their future homes. The project ran until the development was completed, and the configurator was actively used throughout that time.

Back then, we were a team of two:

Now, I’m revisiting the concept solo, applying the UX skills I’ve developed since then to reimagine the experience. This will likely mean a redesign of the original structure, keeping what worked but addressing gaps uncovered through research.

The challenge is two fold:

  1. Honor the real-world lessons from a tool that’s already been tested in the market.
  2. Refine the experience with a more human-centered approach, ensuring it serves diverse user intents and contexts uncovered in the earlier research phases.

These problem statements will set the boundaries and priorities for that redesign — ensuring the next version isn’t just functional, but meaningfully aligned with user needs.

Problem Statements

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Clara (Active Seeker)

Clara is a confident, goal-oriented buyer who needs a fast, transparent way to confirm whether a product meets her exact specifications because she values control, clarity, and independence in her decision-making — and will disengage if forced into unnecessary steps or contact.

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Daniel (Future Planner)

Jaden is a curious but not-yet-ready buyer who needs a way to explore options at his own pace, save progress, and return later because he wants to evaluate long-term fit without pressure — and forcing urgency risks losing his interest entirely.

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