Case 08 · Aito Talotekniikka · 2025
- Role
- Product Designer
- Timeline
- 2025
- Platform
- Mobile · Service Design
- Method
- Progressive disclosure · habit loops
- Team
- Solo · for Aito Ventures Oy
↓ Scroll — the work
Task completion
vs baseline reminder apps
Unified inbox
for all home-system tasks
Loops shipped
progressive disclosure design
My Approach
I approached this challenge with a holistic product thinking mindset. With a background in UX, product, and service design, my aim was to go beyond surface-level aesthetics or wireframes and instead focus on deeply understanding the user journey, uncovering how each interaction could deliver meaningful and sustained value.
Before diving into solution design, I began by thoroughly analyzing the scope and intent of the task. My primary focus was to identify the core user problems, clarify the desired user behaviors, and understand the business value each flow could unlock. The challenge centered around designing three core flows - onboarding, maintenance tracking, and service booking - for Aito Talotekniikka, a smart home maintenance service.
Rather than treating these flows as isolated screens, I viewed them as interconnected touchpoints within a larger product ecosystem. This ecosystem needed to balance usability, emotional resonance, and long-term engagement. Each design decision was grounded in product thinking ensuring that activation, retention, and conversion were strategically supported throughout the user experience.
Strategic Framework
Step 1: Core Objective
Onboarding is about activation: how do we spark motivation and remove barriers to entry?
Tracking is about retention: how do we support habits and ongoing interaction?
Service booking is about conversion: how do we reduce effort and make value tangible?
Step 2: Constraints & Opportunities
Assumed mobile-first experience for homeowners managing personal spaces. Identified friction points: overloading users early, cognitive fatigue from manual inputs, and distrust of unknown service providers.
Step 3: Design Decisions
Start with clarity: Remove guesswork from the first tap.
Create continuity: Let the app become part of user's life.
Build trust incrementally: Use tone and visual consistency.
Three Core User Flows
Option A: First-Time User Onboarding
Strategic onboarding flow that builds trust and confidence while minimizing drop-off, providing immediate value and building foundation for long-term engagement.
Welcome & Value Proposition
App logo, headline, brief intro, CTA
Basic Home Info
Home type, size, age for personalization
Motivational Quiz
User priorities for emotional resonance
Maintenance History
Build trust while collecting data
Completion & CTA
Success reinforcement and next action
Problems Addressed
- • Overwhelm during setup
- • Lack of early value visibility
- • Drop-off due to unclear navigation
Key Features
- • Progressive disclosure
- • Emotional connection through quiz
- • Immediate value delivery
- • Strong CTA for ongoing interaction
Option B: Regular Home Maintenance Tracking
Transforms reactive home care into proactive, ongoing engagement through reminders, custom scheduling, and gamified completion.
Dashboard/Home
Tasks overview with status and CTAs
Maintenance Task List
Clear, actionable view of tasks
Add/Edit Task
User control and customization
Reminder Setup
Timely reminders for engagement
Task Completion
Behavior reinforcement and reward
Friction Reduction
- • Pre-filled task library
- • Bulk edit tools
- • Date range filters
- • Simple reminder defaults
Engagement Improvements
- • Reminder notifications
- • Progress visualization
- • Motivational nudges
- • Gamified achievements
Option C: Booking a Maintenance Service
Transforms high-friction moment into high-trust interaction with clarity, choice, and smart defaults for efficient and confident service booking.
Service Selection
Quick service category finding
Issue Description
Context for accurate matching
Date & Time Picker
Convenient appointment time
Provider Matching
Best provider selection
Confirmation
Clarity and trust before booking
Problems Addressed
- • Confusion over who to contact
- • Lack of transparency in timing/pricing
- • Anxiety about provider trustworthiness
Design Solutions
- • Visual service categories
- • Smart defaults and suggestions
- • Progress tracking
- • Optional photo upload
User Personas & Stories
Onboarding Flow
Hanna, The New Homeowner
Age 35, Working Professional
Pain: Overwhelmed with upkeep, forgets routine tasks
Goal: Stay organized, feel in control
"As a first-time homeowner, I want to easily set up reminders so I don't forget key maintenance tasks."
Leo, The Busy Dad
Age 42, Two Kids
Pain: No time for long setups, easily distracted
Goal: Quick wins, reliable support
"As a busy parent, I want a fast and easy setup so I can get value without spending much time."
Satu, The Retiree
Age 65, 30+ year homeowner
Pain: Unsure how to use modern apps, hesitant to trust services
Goal: Clear information, peace of mind
"As a retiree, I want the app to be easy and clear so I feel confident using it."
Maintenance Flow
Matti, The Busy Consultant
Age 38, Suburban Home
Pain: No time to track recurring home tasks manually
Goal: Stay ahead of issues without thinking
"As a busy professional, I want to get automatic reminders so I don't have to remember maintenance myself."
Paivi, The DIY Enthusiast
Age 45, 30-year-old House
Pain: Misses occasional seasonal upkeep
Goal: Keep home in top shape through scheduled routines
"As someone who maintains my own home, I want to see a clear schedule so I can plan ahead."
Mikko, The First-Time Renter
Age 29, Renting a Duplex
Pain: New to responsibilities like filter changes
Goal: Learn maintenance basics
"As a new renter, I want simple explanations and tasks so I learn what to do over time."
Service Booking Flow
Tiina, The First-Time Homeowner
Age 34, Urban Apartment
Pain: Doesn't know who to call or what to ask for
Goal: Book basic help with confidence
"As a new homeowner, I want to quickly book reliable service providers so I don't stress about minor issues."
Juho, The Busy Tech Consultant
Age 41, Detached House
Pain: No time for long booking processes or follow-ups
Goal: Find fast help and stay on top of maintenance
"As a working professional, I want to book services in just a few taps and get confirmations instantly."
Ville, The Elderly Homeowner
Age 67, Long-Term Resident
Pain: Worried about safety and cost
Goal: Feel secure and in control
"As an older resident, I want to know who's coming and what it will cost before I commit."
Foundation
Design System Foundation
Comprehensive design system showcasing the visual foundation and typography specifications for the smart home maintenance platform.
Mobile-first interface design showcasing user-centered approach across key interaction points, from authentication to onboarding and preference selection.
Strategic Thinking & Validation Plan
Design Principles Applied
- Progressive disclosure for reduced cognitive load
- Trust-centered design with transparency
- Habit loop frameworks for retention
- Gamification for long-term engagement
Validation Methods
- First-click testing for onboarding flow
- Weekly task completion rate tracking
- Booking funnel conversion monitoring
- In-app feedback collection system
Next Steps
Rapid prototyping in Figma
Guerrilla testing with 3 personas per scenario
Refinement sprint based on feedback
Instrumentation for analytics
Key Takeaways
Onboarding Success
Strategic onboarding builds trust and confidence while minimizing drop-off, providing immediate value and foundation for long-term engagement.
Habit Formation
Maintenance tracking transforms reactive home care into proactive engagement through reminders, scheduling, and gamified completion.
Trust Building
Service booking transforms high-friction moments into high-trust interactions with clarity, choice, and smart defaults for confident service booking.
