Wayfindr:

Navigating Your Journey to a New Home

RELOCATION SIMPLICITY & COMMUNITY CONNECTION

My role:

UX Research, UX/UI design and branding, Wireframing, Prototyping

Moving can be a significant challenge, from discovering new communities to rebuilding social networks and overcoming local complexities. Wayfindr's challenge is to streamline these aspects with an intuitive platform, ensuring a seamless transition for new locators.

Project Overview

Wayfindr aims to streamline the relocation process by providing advanced housing options, local networking opportunities, and streamlined contract processes, making transitions smoother and simpler.

Landlord Credibility Concerns

Difficulty in assessing the trustworthiness and reliability of landlords, indicating a demand for transparent landlord profiles or reviews.

User Research

Pain Points

Complex UI or Process in Housing Searches

Users often encounter complex and non-intuitive interfaces in housing searches, leading to frustration and inefficiency.

Complex UI or Process in Housing Searches

Users often encounter complex and non-intuitive interfaces in housing searches, leading to frustration and inefficiency.

Reliability of Online Information

Users often rely on the internet to research new areas, but struggle with the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information found.

Define

Competitive Analysis

Research

Through five user interviews with domestic and international movers, I aimed to identify key relocation challenges. These insights will shape Wayfindr's features, focusing on housing, community connection, and essential services, to ease the relocation process.

Affinity Mapping

After analyzing user interview data through affinity mapping, five main challenges in relocation emerged:

  • Users often struggle with locating the right neighborhoods and reliable landlords.

  • Many opt for self-relocation due to costs, underscoring the need for readily available resources.

  • Adjusting to new environments and rebuilding social connections are significant hurdles.

  • Users seek easy access to amenities and detailed information before committing to housing agreements.

Social Integration Challenges

Building connections and networks in a new environment is a significant hurdle for many relocators.

User Persona

Rachel's scenario highlights the demand for precise and trustworthy housing data, emphasizing the necessity for a service that can provide peace of mind and clarity as she faces the challenges of relocation.

Natalie's profile represents the essential need for a sense of belonging and a smooth transition in the relocation journey.

Her search for a supportive community and efficient navigation through the relocation process is fundamental to her successful move.

Kevin's situation spotlights the necessity for direct and effortless communication with property hosts, along with the desire for a community that complements his dynamic way of life.

His quest for a compatible neighborhood mirrors the common aspiration among relocators for a seamless lifestyle integration.

Story Board

Story #1

Story #2

Hypotheses

Ideate

Brainstorming

Creative Constraints

Analogous Inspiration

Idea #1:

Involves a user-friendly search process with detailed listings and resident reviews.

Idea #2:

A feature for personalized social events, tailored to user preferences set during profile setup.

📌 How might we develop a platform that integrates verified rentals, neighborhood insights, and personalized events for newcomer integration and community belonging?

User Flow

Account Creation

House Rental & E-contract Upload

Save Event to Favorite

  • Creates transparent landlord and renter profiles and facilitates direct, secure messaging for smooth communication and rental negotiations.

  • In-depth neighborhood information and resident reviews, offering a glimpse into the living experience before renters move or visit.

  • A recommendation engine suggests local events based on user interests, helping newcomers build social networks and integrate into the local community more quickly.

  • In-app contract signing and file upload to enhance transparency and ease the rental process.

Design Solution

Design

Low & Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

The low & mid-fidelity wireframes were crafted with user navigation in mind, structuring the experience into distinct, interactive components. From initial profile customization to the final steps of securing a home, each feature is designed for efficiency and ease of use:

Logo Inspiration

In developing the logo for the Wayfindr product, my design rationale is rooted in embodying the core values of community, dependability, discovery, welcoming, and diversity. The final logo encapsulates these principles by featuring three dots, symbolizing individuals standing together in unity.

Style Tile

Usability Test

I conducted five user tests to evaluate the straightforwardness of the usage process and its usability. Below are the four tasks tested on the five participants (or see the Google Doc link here):

  1. Account registration and profile setup.

  2. Log into an existing account and start the search process.

  3. View housing and community information and interact with the property host.

  4. Upload and activate the housing contract.

Time

All users take under 3 minutes to complete each task.

Error Frequency

All users make fewer than 2 errors while completing each task.

Severity

No severe issues or confusion prevent users from continuing the task.

Completion Rate

All users successfully complete 90% or more of the task without assistance.

Testing Results

Iteration

Add third-party login options. The sign-up buttons and the email sign-up options should still work for an existing user to log in.

Original

Include 'Reserve Property' and 'Sign Contract' buttons within the chat for immediate action. 

Adjust the message bubble position and the color to make it easier for users to identify who is sending the messages.

Change sliders’ default status to unlimited to reduce confusion. 

Original

Iterated

Messaging Page

Original

Account & Profile Creation

Filter

Iterated

Housing search & E-contract upload

Login Page

Iterated

  • The internet is a crucial tool for people adapting to new environments, though its reliability and lack of neighborhood insights pose challenges. The desire for better knowledge about potential neighbors emerged as a significant factor in relocation decisions.

  • Feedback on the Wayfindr app was positive, with users particularly valuing features like social event recommendations and in-app contract signing. These elements not only surprised users but also significantly enhanced their experience.

  • The study also underscored the importance of simplifying user interfaces. Tasks as basic as app login and account creation can be streamlined to minimize cognitive load, making the user experience more intuitive and less noticeable when it functions well.

  • Looking ahead, I plan to broaden the app's features to cater to more diverse needs, such as integrating phone services essential during relocation. Exploring revenue opportunities through Free and Premium plans is another avenue. Overall, this project deepened my understanding of user challenges and the potential for innovative solutions.

Learnings on the Project

Prototypes

High-Fidelity Wireframes

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