Brought on as a freelance designer by KABi, I was tasked with creating a cabinet color-switching system to streamline early-stage conversations between designers and clients.
While the original concept was aimed at end-users—an online color customization tool for KABi’s website—stakeholder discussions revealed a more strategic path: keeping the tool internal. By giving KABi’s design team full control over how and when color options are presented, the tool became not only a time-saver, but a brand asset. It helped elevate perceived professionalism, improve communication, and reduce the risk of customers taking visual outputs elsewhere during competitive shopping.
Brought on as a freelance designer by KABi, I was tasked with creating a cabinet color-switching system to streamline early-stage conversations between designers and clients.
While the original concept was aimed at end-users—an online color customization tool for KABi’s website—stakeholder discussions revealed a more strategic path: keeping the tool internal. By giving KABi’s design team full control over how and when color options are presented, the tool became not only a time-saver, but a brand asset. It helped elevate perceived professionalism, improve communication, and reduce the risk of customers taking visual outputs elsewhere during competitive shopping.
about the project
about the project
Streamlining cabinet design conversations
with real-time color visualization
Streamlining kitchen conversations
with real-time color visualization
App Name:
KABi Design
App Name:
KABi Design
Purpose:
Cabinet color-switch-visualization real time tool
Purpose:
Cabinet color-switch-visualization real time tool
Users:
KABi internal designers and sales team
Users:
KABi internal designers and sales team
Usage:
Used during in-store client consultations and early stage design discussions
Usage:
Used during in-store client consultations and early stage design discussions
Role
Role
UI/UX Design, UX Research, Interview
Product Designer · Visual Designer · User Researcher
Timeline
Timeline
Mar 2024 - July 2024
Nov 2024 - Mar 2025
KABi
KABi
Streamlining cabinet design conversations
with real-time color visualization
Streamlining cabinet design conversations
with real-time color visualization
From Kitchen to Interface
From Kitchen to Interface
This was a freelance project where I led the UI/UX design from end to end. As a kitchen designer myself, I understood how much time gets lost just showing clients simple color variations—especially in early conversations.
That background helped me design the tool not just as a digital feature, but as part of the real in-store workflow. I worked closely with KABi’s backend team, and coordinated with designers and sales leads to ensure the tool supported fast decisions while maintaining brand control.
My responsibilities included:
Leading the full UI/UX design process—from early wireframes to final interface.
Collaborating with backend engineers, in-house designers, and sales leads to align the tool with real-world workflows.
Creating all visual assets, including rendered kitchen scenes using interior modeling tools and using Photoshop to apply cabinet color.
This was a freelance project where I led the UI/UX design from end to end. As a kitchen designer myself, I understood how much time gets lost just showing clients simple color variations—especially in early conversations.
That background helped me design the tool not just as a digital feature, but as part of the real in-store workflow. I worked closely with KABi’s backend team, and coordinated with designers and sales leads to ensure the tool supported fast decisions while maintaining brand control.
My responsibilities included:
Leading the full UI/UX design process—from early wireframes to final interface.
Collaborating with backend engineers, in-house designers, and sales leads to align the tool with real-world workflows.
Creating all visual assets, including rendered kitchen scenes using interior modeling tools and using Photoshop to apply cabinet color.
My role and responsibilities in this project
My role and responsibilities in this project
KABi is a custom cabinetry brand based in San Jose, serving homeowners throughout the Bay Area. All cabinets are locally manufactured, with a focus on clean design and personalized service.
As a member of NKBA and NARI, KABi maintains a professional presence in the kitchen design community. Their team works directly with clients through one-on-one consultations, offering tailored solutions for a range of residential projects.
KABi is a custom cabinetry brand based in San Jose, serving homeowners throughout the Bay Area. All cabinets are locally manufactured, with a focus on clean design and personalized service.
As a member of NKBA and NARI, KABi maintains a professional presence in the kitchen design community. Their team works directly with clients through one-on-one consultations, offering tailored solutions for a range of residential projects.
Client: KABi
Client: KABi
Bay Area-based custom cabinet brand
focused on personalized design
Bay Area-based custom cabinet brand
focused on personalized design
Tool Purpose
& Strategic Value
Tool Purpose
& Strategic Value
This tool was designed to support faster, clearer early-stage conversations between kitchen designers and clients. It addresses key workflow blockers—from time-consuming color mockups and unrealistic render quality to the loss of unsaved variations and scattered client feedback.
By streamlining how color options are presented, recorded, and discussed, the system helps designers work more efficiently while giving clients the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions.
More than just a preview tool, it’s a strategic asset that strengthens KABi’s in-store experience and reinforces the professionalism of its design team.
This tool was designed to support faster, clearer early-stage conversations between kitchen designers and clients. It addresses key workflow blockers—from time-consuming color mockups and unrealistic render quality to the loss of unsaved variations and scattered client feedback.
By streamlining how color options are presented, recorded, and discussed, the system helps designers work more efficiently while giving clients the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions.
More than just a preview tool, it’s a strategic asset that strengthens KABi’s in-store experience and reinforces the professionalism of its design team.
Key Product Features
Key Product Features
From Strategy to Screens
From Strategy to Screens
0.1
Color Exploration - Basic Color Panel
0.1
Color Exploration - Basic Color Panel
Quickly preview standard cabinet colors from KABi’s most-used palettes—ideal for helping clients make fast, confident decisions early in the conversation.
Quickly preview standard cabinet colors from KABi’s most-used palettes—ideal for helping clients make fast, confident decisions early in the conversation.
0.2
Color Exploration - Premium Color Palette
0.2
Color Exploration - Premium Color Palette
Explore premium, custom-only color options—designed to inspire elevated, personalized kitchens.
Explore premium, custom-only color options—designed to inspire elevated, personalized kitchens.
0.3
Design Support Tools - History Log
0.3
Design Support Tools - History Log
Revisit every tested color combination—built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
Revisit every tested color combination—built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
0.4
Design Support Tools - Inline Notes
0.4
Design Support Tools - Inline Notes
Revisit every tested color combination—built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
Revisit every tested color combination—built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
Full Product Interface
Full Product Interface
login & entry
The entry point for designers to access the tool during face-to-face consultations with clients.
login & entry
The entry point for designers to access the tool during face-to-face consultations with clients.
Layout Selection
Choose from preset kitchen layouts to match client’s floorplan.
Layout Selection
Choose from preset kitchen layouts to match client’s floorplan.
3.Main Dashboard
A centralized interface for real-time cabinet color switching, layout
view toggles, and access to supporting tools like notes and history.
Main Dashboard
A centralized interface for real-time cabinet color switching, layout
view toggles, and access to supporting tools like notes and history.
Standard Color Panel
Browse KABi’s standard color board and most- popular color combination—optimized for fast client-facing decisions.
Standard Color Panel
Browse KABi’s standard color board and most- popular color combination—optimized for fast client-facing decisions.
5.Premium Palette
Explore KABi‘s exclusive, custom-order color board—designed for elevated, personalized kitchen styling.
5.Premium Palette
Explore KABi‘s exclusive, custom-order color board
—designed for elevated, personalized kitchen styling.
Note Tool
A built-in note-taking interface ensures important feedback is saved during live discussions.
Note Tool
A built-in note-taking interface ensures important feedback is saved during live discussions.
Color Record
Automatically saved versions let designers return to any previous variation
— even if it wasn’t favorited at the time.
Color Record
Automatically saved versions let designers return to any previous variation
— even if it wasn’t favorited at the time.
System Feedback & Modals
Clear, contextual pop-ups guide users through key actions—ensuring
clarity, reducing errors, and improving task completion.
System Feedback & Modals
Clear, contextual pop-ups guide users through key actions—ensuring
clarity, reducing errors, and improving task completion.
This system remains in active use by KABi’s design team today—powering clearer, faster color decisions in every client conversation
This system remains in active use by KABi’s design team today—powering clearer, faster color decisions in every client conversation
Measured Outcomes
& Team Impact
Measured Outcomes
& Team Impact
KABi’s design team fully integrated the tool into their day-to-day workflow —using it to guide conversations, compare options, and build stronger client confidence during early-stage consultations.
KABi’s design team fully integrated the tool into their day-to-day workflow —using it to guide conversations, compare options, and build stronger client confidence during early-stage consultations.
92%+ reduction in time spent presenting color options
92%+ reduction in time spent presenting color options
Elevated Design Communication
Elevated Design Communication
Designers reported they could walk clients through viable color combinations in under 3 minutes—compared to the 35–40 minutes previously needed with manual rendering.
Designers reported they could walk clients through viable color combinations in under 3 minutes—compared to the 35–40 minutes previously needed with manual rendering.
100% of designers said the tool improved early-stage client conversations
100% of designers said the tool improved early-stage client conversations
By streamlining note-taking and design recall, it allowed them to focus more on the discussion—and communicate more efficiently.
By streamlining note-taking and design recall, it allowed them to focus more on the discussion—and communicate more efficiently.
98% clients said the visuals helped them make more informed color decisions
98% clients said the visuals helped them make more informed color decisions
Compared to viewing color panels or low quality rendering from 2020 design, the full-scene renderings made it easier to visualize real kitchens—leading to faster, more confident decisions.
Compared to viewing color panels or low quality rendering from 2020 design, the full-scene renderings made it easier to visualize real kitchens—leading to faster, more confident decisions.
Design Team Pain Points
Design Team Pain Points
Product Solutions
Product Solutions
Clients often fail to judge color accurately due to flat swatches and low-context renderings.
Clients often fail to judge color accurately due to flat swatches and low-context renderings.
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to red
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to red
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to redo everything.
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to redo everything.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Important feedback often gets lost between meetings or across tools.
Important feedback often gets lost between meetings or across tools.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Basic color previews often require time-consuming manual setup early in the workflow.
Basic color previews often require time-consuming manual setup early in the workflow.
Full kitchen scenes with realistic lighting let clients see color in spatial context.
Full kitchen scenes with realistic lighting let clients see color in spatial context.
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to red
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to red
A history log auto-saves all variations and lets designers revisit any test.
A history log auto-saves all variations and lets designers revisit any test.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
A built-in note feature lets designers record client preferences on the spot.
A built-in note feature lets designers record client preferences on the spot.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Instant switching presets let designers present options without rebuilding layouts.
Instant switching presets let designers present options without rebuilding layouts.
about the project
Streamlining kitchen design conversations with real-time color visualization
Brought on as a freelance designer by KABi, I was tasked with creating a cabinet color-switching system to streamline early-stage conversations between designers and clients.
While the original concept was aimed at end-users—an online color customization tool for KABi’s website—stakeholder discussions revealed a more strategic path: keeping the tool internal. By giving KABi’s design team full control over how and when color options are presented, the tool became not only a time-saver, but a brand asset. It helped elevate perceived professionalism, improve communication, and reduce the risk of customers taking visual outputs elsewhere during competitive shopping.
about the project
App Name:
KABi Design
Purpose:
Cabinet color-switch-visualization real time tool
Users:
KABi internal designers and sales team
Usage:
Used during in-store client consultations and early stage design discussions
This was a freelance project where I led the UI/UX design from end to end. As a kitchen designer myself, I understood how much time gets lost just showing clients simple color variations—especially in early conversations.
That background helped me design the tool not just as a digital feature, but as part of the real in-store workflow. I worked closely with KABi’s backend team, and coordinated with designers and sales leads to ensure the tool supported fast decisions while maintaining brand control.
My responsibilities included:
Leading the full UI/UX design process—from early wireframes to final interface.
Collaborating with backend engineers, in-house designers, and sales leads to align the tool with real-world workflows.
Creating all visual assets, including rendered kitchen scenes using interior modeling tools and using Photoshop to apply cabinet color.
My role and responsibilities in this project
From Kitchen to Interface
KABi is a custom cabinetry brand based in San Jose, serving homeowners throughout the Bay Area. All cabinets are locally manufactured, with a focus on clean design and personalized service.
As a member of NKBA and NARI, KABi maintains a professional presence in the kitchen design community. Their team works directly with clients through one-on-one consultations, offering tailored solutions for a range of residential projects.
A Bay Area-based custom cabinet brand focused on personalized design
Client: KABi
Design Team Pain Points
Product Solutions
Instant switching presets let designers present options without rebuilding layouts.
Clients often fail to judge color accurately due to flat swatches and low-context renderings.
Full kitchen scenes with realistic lighting let clients see color in spatial context.
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to red
Unselected renders weren’t saved. If clients changed their mind, designers had to redo everything.
A history log auto-saves all variations and lets designers revisit any test.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Important feedback often gets lost between meetings or across tools.
A built-in note feature lets designers record client preferences on the spot.
Designers need a faster way
to present cabinet color options
Basic color previews often require time-consuming manual setup early in the workflow.
This tool was designed to support faster, clearer early-stage conversations between kitchen designers and clients. It addresses key workflow blockers—from time-consuming color mockups and unrealistic render quality to the loss of unsaved variations and scattered client feedback.
By streamlining how color options are presented, recorded, and discussed, the system helps designers work more efficiently while giving clients the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions.
More than just a preview tool, it’s a strategic asset that strengthens KABi’s in-store experience and reinforces the professionalism of its design team.
Tool Purpose
& Strategic Value
Key Product Features
From Strategy to Screens
0.1
Color Exploration - Basic Color Panel
Quickly preview standard cabinet colors from KABi’s most-used palettes
—ideal for helping clients make fast, confident decisions early in the conversation.
0.2
Color Exploration - Premium Color Palette
Explore premium, custom-only color options
— designed to inspire elevated, personalized kitchens.
0.3
Design Support Tools - History Log
Revisit every tested color combination
— built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
0.4
Design Support Tools - Inline Notes
Revisit every tested color combination
— built to support faster comparisons and more informed design decisions.
0.3
Full Product Interface
login & entry
The entry point for designers to access the tool during face-to-face consultations with clients.
Layout Selection
Choose from preset kitchen layouts to match client’s floorplan.
Standard Color Panel
Browse KABi’s standard color board and most- popular color combination—optimized for fast client-facing decisions.
Main Dashboard
A centralized interface for real-time cabinet color switching, layout
view toggles, and access to supporting tools like notes and history.
0.3
Note Tool
A built-in note-taking interface ensures important feedback is saved during live discussions.
Premium Palette
Explore KABi‘s exclusive, custom-order color board—designed for
elevated, personalized kitchen styling.
0.3
Color Record
Automatically saved versions let designers return to any previous variation
— even if it wasn’t favorited at the time.
System Feedback & Modals
Clear, contextual pop-ups guide users through key actions—ensuring
clarity, reducing errors, and improving task completion.
This system remains in active use by KABi’s design team today
—powering clearer, faster color decisions in every client conversation.
Measured Outcomes
& Team Impact
92%+
reduction in time spent
presenting color options
Designers reported they could walk clients through viable color combinations in under 3 minutes—compared to the 35–40 minutes previously needed with manual rendering.
100%
of designers said the tool improved early-stage client conversations
By streamlining note-taking and design recall, it allowed them to focus more on the discussion—and communicate more efficiently.
98%
clients said the visuals helped them make more informed color decisions
Compared to viewing color panels or low quality rendering from 2020 design, the full-scene renderings made it easier to visualize real kitchens—leading to faster, more confident decisions.
Elevated
Design
Communication
KABi’s design team fully integrated the tool into their day-to-day workflow —using it to guide conversations, compare options, and build stronger client confidence during early-stage consultations.