Butternut AI Cohort 18

In the first three weeks at Butternut AI, we focused on refining our broad client request into a clear project scope. We iterated on “How Might We” statements, conducted extensive user interviews, and continuously adjusted our approach based on new insights. To further ground our direction, we also conducted competitive analysis and visual research, especially since there was no clear brand design language to reference. Synthesizing this research helped us identify key patterns, gaps in the market, and opportunities for differentiation. By distilling our findings, we shaped a focused project statement and foundational design principles. This iterative process ensured our work was both user-centered and strategically aligned.

For weeks 4-7, we refined user flows, defined key Jobs to Be Done, and translated our visual research into mid-to-high-fidelity wireframes for the landing page and product platform. This phase was about bridging strategy with execution—ensuring the redesigned experience was both functional and visually cohesive. As part of this, we also began structuring a more detailed design system, defining core components, typography, and interaction patterns to create a more consistent UI. A/B user testing and weekly client reviews were key to refining our work. We gathered feedback through usability tests, iterating on interactions, layout, and design consistency. Each round of testing helped us improve clarity and usability while solidifying our design system. By the end of this phase, we had a polished, well-structured experience with a stronger design foundation

In the last few weeks of the cohort, we focused on refining our designs, documenting specifications, and ensuring a smooth handoff for implementation. With a solid foundation and design system in place, we explored innovative solutions to enhance the user experience, fine-tuning micro-interactions, accessibility, and a few edge cases. Our design system evolved, solidifying reusable components and interaction patterns to maintain consistency across the platform. To prepare for development, we created detailed design specs, annotating user flows, component behaviors, and responsive states.