Rethinking the Thread Counter Tool
Android app concept. UX design.
The Problem
First-year textile engineering students rely on a physical thread counter to analyze fabric samples.
However, not all students have access to one. This creates a fragmented workflow between measuring, annotating, and storing information.
Objectives
Replicate core functionality of a thread counter using a smartphone camera.
Allow users to document samples (images + notes).
Keep the experience lightweight and accessible.
Reduce dependency on external tools.
The Product
An Android app: A mobile experience that not only replaces the thread counter, but improves the way students interact with textile samples.
Timeline
October 2024 to December 2024. (2 months)
Constraints
Convenience: Using the app should be easier than just investing in the physical tool.
Device variability: Different devices with different hardware: camera qualities, screen resolution.
No budget: Solution had to rely entirely on built-in capabilities.
Technical uncertainty: Measuring through a camera without calibration.
Early Exploration
The core challenge appeared immediately:
How do you measure a physical sample using a smartphone camera without specialized hardware?
Initial Concept
The first approach focused on a simple, low-tech solution:
A fixed square overlay on the camera view
Users manually draw a reference square on the textile
Align both square to approximate scale
This approach intentionally shifts precision responsibility to the user, avoiding complex calibration.
These are the first wireframes that I made that night in the lab. The setting of this story is Argentina, please excuse the Spanish and my messy handwriting.
Wireframes
I started with paper wireframes, focusing on:
Fast access to camera
Clear guidance for first-time use
A minimal interface to reduce cognitive load
Prototyping
Through multiple iterations in Figma, the design evolved to:
Simplify the capture flow
Improve onboarding (“how to use”)
Strengthen visual hierarchy for notes and sample data
User feedback
“It would be great to have a way to keep track of where you’re counting. Like the needle on the physical device.”
“It would like to be able to save a diagram of the sample’s weave pattern in addition to taking text-based notes.”
The feedback received revealed something important: Users weren’t just thinking about measurement.
They wanted context and tracking.
The product was no longer just a measuring tool. It was becoming a sample documentation system.
This reframed the project:
From tool replacement → to workflow enhancement
From single action → to collection and analysis
Outcome
The project evolved into a broader concept. A mobile app for building a personal textile sample library that combines:
Image capture
Measurement approximation
Notes and annotation
Potential for pattern visualization
What’s next
This exploration led to a new product direction focused on textile sample documentation. I’m currently developing this idea further as a separate project.