Pinsight
Searching Smarter: AI-Powered Search Assistant
Pinsight is an AI-powered search tool that takes voice or text input, offering real-time suggestions and clarifications, making Pinterest search more intuitive and personalized.
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
4 Months
Team
1 Product Designer
Platform
Figma, Figjam
Context
As an artist, Pinterest is one of my go-to platforms for finding inspiration and reference material for art projects. It’s where I (and countless other artists and designers) go for explore ideas, collect useful content, and keep track of visual inspiration. However, the platform often falls short in helping us achieve this.
Key challenges:
Irrelevant Search Results
Translating abstract creative ideas into words is already tough
Lack of Contextual Images
forces users to dig through endless irrelevant pins to find something useful
Hidden Public Boards
While public boards can have well curated content, they’re often buried
User Research & Brainstorming
Key user insights:
What are some of your challenges using Pinterest?
I have a hard time translating my design ideas into concrete search terms.
I find it hard finding the exact reference photo I need
The suggested pins on home page aren’t too helpful
Initial solution fields after brainstorming session:
Low fidelity sketches of four selected ideas:
Eventually, I moved forward with the AI bot solution. Here are the details of this solution and the reasons I choose it:
Why AI?
Research Insights:
-Smart tool to refine user searches, including voice or visual inputs.
-AI can provide real-time feedback and adapt to users’ requirements.
What features would make it easier for you to find ideas?
If search felt more like a real convo, I think my ideas would come out more easily
It’d be great if Pinterest could adapt to what I need in real time
Alignment with User Needs:
-AI enhances discovery by integrating both input and filtering dynamically, reducing friction and improving the overall experience.
-Visual input and conversational interfaces align directly with how creatives think and work, offering more flexibility and personalization than traditional search mechanisms.
Key Features
Hi Pinsight! I’m looking for inspiration for a poster
Great! Heres a few guiding questions:
What kind of mood are you going for?
What’s the main focus: an event, a story, or a concept?
Minimalist poster for design festival & bold colors, geometric shapes
Got it! Does this look right? You can also edit directly in the chat
Yes
Ask Pinsight Something
Is this something you might be looking for?
Yes
No
Pinsight
Pinsight
Hi Pinsight! I’m looking for inspiration for a poster
Great! Heres a few guiding questions:
What kind of mood are you going for?
What’s the main focus: an event, a story, or a concept?
Minimalist poster for design festival & bold colors, geometric shapes
Got it! Does this look right? You can also edit directly in the chat
Yes
Conversation Chat Interface
Natural language makes translating ideas into words easier
Pinsight
I’m looking for some inspiration for designing a graphic poster. I want it to be minimalist and bold colors, use a lot of geometric shapes
Voice Input
Simulate real life conversation and brainstorming experience
Can you generate some geometric patterns based on style in my board ‘FA24 Poster Graphics Design?
Got it! Does this look right? You can also edit directly in the chat
Yes
Can you make everything neon orange and blue
Got it! Does this look right? You can also edit directly in the chat
Yes
Ask Pinsight Something
Is this something you might be looking for?
Yes
No
Pinsight
Pinsight
Image Generation
Helping users generate the exact reference image they needed
Exploration on Pinsight logo
Conversation Chat Interface
Human-like icon with facial features and AI indicator
Lacks professional appearance
Visually complex and not minimalistic
Conversation Chat Interface
Professionally -- enhance user trust in AI
can adapt into a loading animation -->
Not enough indication for AI
Conversational AI Bot Pinsight: Voice & Text Inputs
Users can either type or speak their query (e.g., “I’m looking for mood board ideas with warm tones and minimalist styles”).
Pinsight analyzes the input, asks clarifying questions if needed (e.g., “Do you mean geometric minimalism or abstract shapes?”), and provides curated results.
The bot integrates with search filters, allowing users to adjust parameters mid-conversation.
Final Flow:
Exploration on entry point:
Floating Icon
Follows scroll -- access from anywhere on the page
Indication for chatbot assistant
Industry standard
May be visually too much
Card with Button
Harder to access after scroll
Button redirecting to chat interface
Indication for chatbot assistant
Card with Text Box
Harder to access after scroll
Small textfield & button
Indication for chatbot assistant
Key Design Decisions
Chat History
Natural language makes translating abstract ideas into words easier
Regenerate/Redo
Natural language makes translating abstract ideas into words easier
Style Consistency
Natural language makes translating abstract ideas into words easier
Voice & Natural Language Input
Instead of relying on perfect keywords, users can now speak or type naturally — like “cozy, minimalist bedroom ideas”. This feature makes search more intuitive by understanding everyday language and reducing friction in the discovery process.
Final Flow:
Exploration on input method:
Hold & speak button
Follows scroll -- access from anywhere on the page
Indication for chatbot assistant
Industry standard
May be visually overwhelming
Mic button & voice input indication
Harder to access after scroll
Button redirecting to chat interface
Indication for chatbot assistant
AI Image Generation Within Chat
When users still can’t find what they’re looking for, AI Image Generation fills the gap. They can describe their idea via text or voice, and the AI creates custom visuals. Generated images can be saved directly to boards for a more personalized experience.
Final Flow:
Key Design Decisions
Infinite Scroll
Simulating a typical Pinterest experience, users can continue scrolling while the AI continuously generates new content
Save to Pins
Users can save AI-generated content to their pins for later reference, with a distinct AI label to differentiate it from non-AI pins
Conclusion & Next Steps
This was my first independent UI/UX project, created for the class Intro to Digital Product Design. I’m now a TA for the same course, helping a new generation of designers! As AI chatbots become increasingly common, here are a few next steps I’m excited to explore:
Language Accessibility
detect and respond in the user's language, making Pinsight more accessible to non-English speakers
Responsive Design
Consider how laptop or tablet users input information, and optimize the experience for larger screens
Transparency in AI
Provide explanations of data usage and privacy settings, especially when users are sharing personal information
Contact me at zw757@cornell.edu
fun fact: tomato is my favorite veggie(fruit) if u can’t tell:)
