REACH ME
shubhikagupta1202@gmail.com
Prototype
Role
UI/UX Designer
Duration
15 Weeks
Tools
Figma & Adobe Illustrator
Moving to a new place can be overwhelming. Finding a safe and comfortable home is essential, but navigating through countless listings with unclear photos adds to the stress. This challenge highlighted the need for a solution like Neighborly, which was designed to address these pain points through a more thoughtful and user-focused approach.
What are the biggest challenges faced by people relocating to a new place when searching for housing?
What features or functionalities would be most helpful for users in finding safe and comfortable housing?
What type of data is most relevant and helpful for users in assessing the safety of a neighborhood?
How comfortable are users with the concept of chatting with residents in a potential living area?
In the research process, the primary goal was to understand the challenges faced by individuals relocating to a new place, particularly in the context of housing searches. Through user interviews and surveys, several key pain points were identified, including the difficulty of accessing reliable information about neighborhood safety, especially in foreign countries where crime data may be unavailable or difficult to interpret.
The research also revealed significant concerns among users regarding the risk of scams and fake listings, as well as the prevalence of outdated or misleading photos. Additionally, a lack of local knowledge about neighborhoods emerged as a substantial barrier. These insights, directly informed by the research questions, played a crucial role in guiding the development of solutions to address these specific challenges.
01
Finding safe accommodation in a new country is a significant challenge that can have far-reaching effects.
02
Unsafe housing can detrimentally impact a person's academic or work performance, mental health, and overall experience in a new environment.
03
This is particularly relevant given that, according to UNESCO, over 6 million students pursue higher education internationally each year, highlighting the critical need to address this issue.
One approach involves enabling residents to share real-time photos and videos, which could reduce reliance on potentially misleading online listings.
Another solution is the integration of crime data, allowing users to make informed decisions based on reliable statistics
Additionally, facilitating direct communication with current residents could provide valuable insights about the area, helping to build trust in the decision-making process. These concepts are intended to tackle the key issues uncovered during the research phase.
During the research phase, interviews were conducted with a diverse group of users to gain insights into the challenges faced when relocating to a new city. These conversations highlighted common needs, frustrations, and motivations among the participants, which were used to shape our understanding of the problem.
Users expressed a strong need for reliable information and trustworthy sources when searching for housing.
There was a desire for knowledge about neighborhoods, with many users seeking guidance from locals to make informed decisions.
Establishing a connection with current residents was seen as valuable for gaining authentic insights about the area.
Many participants, like Maya, a 22-year-old student from New York, were motivated by the desire to find a living situation that supports their academic focus as they transition to prestigious universities in new cities.
Users were eager to experience life in a new city and connect with the local community, enhancing their overall experience.
Safety was a top priority, with users seeking housing that would provide peace of mind in an unfamiliar environment
Users frequently voiced concerns about encountering fake pictures and misleading descriptions on rental websites, which eroded their trust in online listings.
The overwhelming number of housing options in an unfamiliar city like San Francisco left users feeling lost, as they struggled to assess which neighborhoods would be suitable.
Moving to a new city alone brought about safety anxieties, with users emphasizing the importance of finding a secure and reputable location.
Enter location
See the crime data listing on the map
Choose your neighborhood
Enter your preference
Apartment list
Know your location
Chat with local residents
Connect with the apartment owner
End
Through user testing and feedback, it became clear that the app's initial design lacked a strong connection to its core purpose, particularly in terms of visual communication. The original purple color scheme did not resonate with users, leading to confusion about the app's functionality. This realization prompted a significant shift in the design direction. The focus was redirected toward creating a more meaningful and intuitive color palette that aligns with the app’s purpose, ensuring that users immediately understand the app's intent and feel more connected to the experience.
Another critical turning point came when users expressed that the map feature, as initially designed, did not provide enough actionable information to support their decision-making process. Instead of just enhancing the existing design, the approach was fundamentally reconsidered. The map was re-envisioned to include comprehensive amenity data, such as walkability scores, restaurant availability, and public transportation access. This pivot from a basic visual tool to a robust decision-making resource reflects a deeper understanding of user needs and a commitment to providing the most relevant information for making informed housing choices.
Before
The core focus of the development process was optimizing the map's efficiency and user-friendliness. I recognized the potential for confusion and aimed to create a more intuitive experience.
After
Before
Since crime data is already available on the interactive map, I removed the repetitive information from the "know your location" page. This allows for a more focused presentation of additional neighborhood details.
After
Before
Implemented clear and descriptive labels for the icons and strategically utilized white space by displaying relevant data outside the map.
After
Throughout the design process, several critical insights emerged that were directly tied to the unique challenges faced by users searching for housing in a new, unfamiliar city.
Users expressed that even small ambiguities in information could lead to significant stress when evaluating potential housing options. For example, unclear amenity icons or vague descriptions were more than just minor annoyances—they were sources of anxiety that made the search process feel unreliable. This highlighted the need for clear, detailed information at every step, ensuring users can confidently assess their options.
The complexity of navigating through multiple pages or screens to find essential information was particularly taxing for users already dealing with the stress of relocation. This insight emphasized the importance of minimizing the number of steps required to access critical details, helping users feel more in control and less overwhelmed during their search.
.png)
.png)
.png)