Fair&Square
Design Concept | UX, UI | 2021
The Problem
“Hello, I’m calling about the
apartment”
The process of searching for a suitable apartment in a big city has become a tedious and frustrating task. This has led to intense competition for every available apartment, limited information and too many comments on Facebook groups, and "good" apartments being passed only between friends.
The possible effect
on our user
Time-consuming
Spending too much time and effort.
It could take months and endless
apartments viewing.
Inefficient communication
With the landlord /
the outgoing
tenant
Compromising
On apartment quality or budget
Decision-making can be anxiety-inducing due to the long application processes, deadlines, and low acceptance rates.
The Challenge
Where do I start?
Understanding the landscape of the market and how can i bring a different solution help me define the following challenges:
The project presented two key challenges:
1. Making the search process easy
Use conventions to present the search results, provide all the relevant information needed and make tracking simple.
2. Connecting an agent
Make the agent details accessible and provide fast communication options.
Research
Competitive Research
As part of my research, I looked into the most popular accommodation apps based on professional ratings, Facebook groups, and VR tours. In my design, I have incorporated common practices to help users easily navigate the app, such as map view, list view, detailed advertisements, and the ability to
manage users' favorites.
Talking to potential users
I have conducted some insightful interviews with individuals who were searching for an
apartment. During these interviews, I was interested in learning about the challenges
they faced and how they overcame them, including their decision-making process, the
questions they had, the platforms they used, and what resources could have made the
process more efficient and convenient.
“I knew exactly what I was looking for and primarily used Facebook groups. It was difficult to evaluate and discern whether the potential apartments met my needs.”
Mo | 31 | Product Manager
“I defined an area, budget, my must-haves, and
started my search. It took me two months to find an
apartment as the pics didn’t reflect reality, and I
wasn’t able to see apartments during daylight hours
because of my work.”
Koral | 25 | Actor & Fitness trainer
The Solution
Define goals and values
UX Goals
Complete a search
Contact an agent
Values
Convenience
Cost reduction
control of the process
Wireframes
Let's start
with basics
The search starts with a pre-
established list of criteria - I used the common questions that the user needs to answer as part of the onboarding process.
Optimized process
By upgrading conventions, personal matching, tracking, and adding notes/photos after seeing apartments.
Easier
communication
Modify all communication online such as schedule a visit, ask a question, check the agent’s properties list, and get offers according to your preferences.
Hifi
Final design
future Features
features and optimization possibilities
Digital Payments
Agent fee, services, rent
Subscription
Priority / exclusive for new apartments
Digital Contract
Templates and signing
Planners
Moving-out-in Budget
