https://app.buildquarter20.com/signup
Overview:
We started working in hardware because we wanted to build things, but we quickly learned that design to design-to-manufacturing is not a linear path. Along the way, there are thousands of small but important details that need to be communicated across teams, but these details easily get lost. How are you supposed to manually keep track of everything?
In 2023, we started Quarter20 with the mission to standardize the process of hardware documentation in a delightfully simple way. We’re starting with a connected workspace to generate the visual and written components needed to communicate across teams. So you can do more building, less screenshotting.
COO: Addy First
FOUNDER & COO
I’ve spent my career working to scale emerging technologies, from AR/VR to IoT. Whether at a startup or at Microsoft, I worked with some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing customers, and what consistently surprised me was the absence of communication tools, on factory floors and in the office.
Hardware engineers deserve great collaboration tools, and I’m excited to deliver a software that teams love.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/addyfirst/
CEO: Mai Bui
FOUNDER & CEO
I’ve spent over a decade building hardware. I’ve flown to Asia for weeks at a time to oversee and fix production lines. I’ve had late night calls with vendors to track development status. I’ve taken thousands of screenshots of CAD.
In that decade, while software developer tools continued to evolve, my workflow never changed. I want to create better workflows for the next generation of hardware engineers.
About:
Hardware engineers spend too much time in PowerPoint. Quarter20 is a CAD-connected wiki that automates hardware documentation. With Quarter20, 3x engineering efficiency, so engineers can do more engineering, less screenshotting. Quarter20 is a venture-backed startup on a mission to unify siloed hardware teams.
Quarter20 Inc. is a software development company based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2023, the company operates with a small team of 2-10 employees. Despite its size, Quarter20 has gathered a network of 7 associated members who contribute to its projects. The firm focuses on leveraging innovation and technology to deliver effective software solutions tailored to client needs.
Please visit their website at buildquarter20.com for more information.
Challenge:
As a designer entering the world of hardware, I quickly observed the communication breakdowns occurring between design, engineering, and manufacturing. Visuals were scattered, and screenshots and PDFs piled up. The product documentation process was not only inefficient but also frustrating. Design intent often got lost in translation, resulting in rework, delays, and missed opportunities for collaboration.
Solution:
Quarter20 set out to build a connected workspace that bridges the gap between teams, making hardware documentation intuitive and accessible. We focused on Quarter20 set out to create a connected workspace that bridges the gap between teams, making hardware documentation intuitive and accessible. We focused on developing a visual-first platform that eliminates manual back-and-forth, streamlines communication, and enables teams to spend more time building and less time searching for the right screenshot or spec sheet. Creating a visual-first platform that eliminates manual back-and-forth, streamlines communication, and allows teams to spend more time building and less time tracking down the right screenshot or spec sheet.
Time Spent on Project:
Product Designer (UI/UX) — Quarter20
January 2023 – April 2024 | Contract / MVP Phase
Designed and implemented Figma-based UI/UX systems prioritizing ease of use, accessibility, and future scalability.
Led design-to-dev communication, aligning teams on MVP goals, features, and timelines.
Translated product strategy into tangible design deliverables, helping launch the MVP on schedule in April 2024.
Helped shape the visual and interaction design standards for a platform aiming to reduce friction in complex hardware workflows.
My Role:
Quarter20 is building a connected workspace that simplifies hardware documentation for engineers, designers, and manufacturers.
I led the UI/UX strategy for Quarter20’s MVP, designing user flows and interface patterns in Figma that balanced usability with the complex needs of hardware teams. I facilitated cross-functional discussions with the CEOs and developers, ensuring alignment between product and technical execution. Working in rapid sprints, I prioritized clarity, adaptability, and user-first thinking, helping to bring the product to launch in April 2024, vision, and tech.
Work - Figma designs
Process
Kick off:
In the early stages of product development, I create low-fidelity wireframes to quickly visualize ideas, communicate initial insights, and align with stakeholder goals. These mockups serve as jumping-off points, highlighting key screens to reflect the CEO and COO’s vision. My goal is to translate strategic thinking into visual form, helping clients clearly see the logic behind the user experience direction.
Principles
Wire Overview
Conclusion
Concluding my time designing for Quarter20, I’m proud to reflect on a journey rooted in thoughtful iteration, strategic decision-making, and hands-on leadership. From early discovery through wireframes to final high-fidelity screens, I guided the design process with purpose and clarity. Each phase balanced user-centered design with business goals, ultimately enabling a seamless handoff to front-end development. This project not only allowed me to apply my Scrum Master training in a practical setting but also gave me the opportunity to onboard and support a developer, ensuring alignment and momentum toward a successful launch. It was a rewarding experience that deepened my leadership skills and affirmed the importance of collaboration across disciplines.
You can learn more about Quarter20 and the product launch on LinkedIn.