PRODUCT
Homies
ROLE
Lead UI Designer
TIMELINE
Jan 2023 - Mar 2023
6 Weeks
SKILLS
Design System
•
UI/UX Design
•
Prototype
•
Branding
•
Visual Design
TOOLS
Figma
•
Trello
•
Adobe Photoshop
•
Adobe Illustrator
Finding suitable roommates and housing as an international student can be challenging. Existing platforms often fail to address their unique needs, such as safety, compatibility, and limited social networks.
Homies is a community-driven solution designed specifically for international students, simplifying the housing search, fostering connections, and creating a safer, more supportive experience in a new city.
International students in Canada often need a new roommate to split rent with, but they lack social connections in their new environment. Matching with someone safely and efficiently becomes a challenge.
Although existing roommate finder apps or websites are available, it is difficult to browse potential listings by the students' circumstances. Most online tools do not offer a student-specific platform catering to needs and concerns unique to international students.
Identifying the Right Features
Balancing the unique needs of international students with the scope of the app was a key challenge. Prioritizing features such as roommate preferences, verification, and communication tools for the initial release required thorough research to ensure they provided real value to users.
Time Constraints
Developing the app within a tight timeframe required careful planning and efficient execution. Delivering a functional and user-friendly platform while meeting deadlines was an ongoing challenge, demanding focus on both quality and speed.
This project focuses on creating a platform to simplify the process of finding compatible roommates for students, particularly international ones. The goal is to develop a functional MVP that addresses user needs through features like profile-based applications, roommate preference filters, and verified users. By addressing key challenges, the app aims to enhance the housing search experience and ensure better matches for students.
Key Metrics
Feature Engagement
Measure how often users engage with key features such as roommate filters and the in-app chat to assess usability and their impact on the overall experience.
User Satisfaction
Collect feedback through surveys to measure user satisfaction with roommate matches, features, and overall app experience.
Verified Profiles
Track the percentage of users who complete the verification process to ensure platform trust and reliability.
Talking to international students about their struggles in finding roommates or housing was eye-opening. Through a series of interviews conducted via Zoom and in person, I explored their decision-making process, challenges with current tools, and ideas for improvement. These candid conversations provided valuable insights to guide a more student-focused solution.
Common Pain Points
Roommate Compatibility and Lifestyle Mismatch
55% of users had issues with roommates' habits and preferred a filtering system based on lifestyle and personality traits.
Security Concerns and Risk of Scams
Scams were a major concern for 65% of participants, with some being asked for payments before viewing a property.
Disjointed Platforms and Communication Challenges
Navigating multiple platforms and communication channels made the search process inefficient for the participants.
To address the challenges faced by international students in finding suitable housing and roommates, I developed an app designed to simplify the entire process. The app focuses on creating a safe, user-friendly platform that connects students with compatible roommates while offering the tools needed to streamline the search and communication process.
Features
Verified Users for added trust.
Preference Filter to match by lifestyle and personality.
School Location to find housing near school with route suggestions.
Easy Application for quick profile submissions.
In-app Chat for real-time communication.
The userflow shows a simple step-by-step process for students to find housing and roommates. Users can create an account, set their preferences, browse verified listings, and apply easily. With features like school location filters, matching based on preferences, and real-time chat, the process is easy and convenient.
The visual design of "Homies" combines functionality with personality, creating an experience that is both approachable and engaging. The logo and typography establish a friendly brand identity, while bright, playful colors and custom illustrations cater to the target demographic, evoking warmth and trust. Every interface is designed to ensure clarity, usability, and visual appeal, perfectly aligning with the app's mission to simplify the roommate search process for students.
Crafting the Homies Identity
When creating the Homies logo, the focus was on capturing the app's mission to simplify and improve the roommate search experience. The friendly typography creates an approachable feel, while the "m" icon symbolizes shared living spaces and the idea of finding a home. The two dots above the "m" highlight connection and community, representing the bond between roommates. The blueprint-style lines bring in a sense of structure and planning, reflecting the app's organized approach to addressing housing challenges for students.
Typography
Geometric fonts is used to provide a modern, clean, and user-friendly design, making the application more appealing to users and enhancing their experience. Additionally, a consistent use of a geometric font can help to establish a strong and recognizable brand identity.
Finding suitable roommates and housing as an international student can be challenging. Existing platforms often fail to address their unique needs, such as safety, compatibility, and limited social networks.
Homies is a community-driven solution designed specifically for international students, simplifying the housing search, fostering connections, and creating a safer, more supportive experience in a new city.
Feature 1
Profile-Based Application
The application process is designed to integrate with a detailed profile creation flow. Users can build their profiles by adding information such as bio, hobbies, characteristics, language, school, and more. These profiles are automatically included when applying for a room, allowing potential roommates or landlords to assess personality and compatibility. This streamlined process not only simplifies the search but also ensures better matches.
Feature 2
Verification
Verification ensures that all landlords and users on the platform are authentic, adding a crucial layer of trust and security. By verifying profiles and listings, users can make informed decisions about their living arrangements without fear of scams or unreliable information. This feature builds confidence in the platform and fosters a safer community.
Feature 3
Preferences Filter
The preferences filter enables users to refine their roommate search by key details such as nationality, lifestyle, and personality traits. This feature helps create more personalized and compatible matches, ensuring a better shared living experience.
Feature 4
School Location Filter& Route Suggestion
This tool helps users find accommodations near their school while providing suggestions for commuting routes. I included this feature to minimize the stress of navigating a new city, enabling users to save time and feel more confident about their daily commutes.
Feature 5
In-app Chat
The in-app chat was designed to enable seamless communication between users and landlords. I included features like real-time messaging and read notifications to address delays and inefficiencies, ensuring users can quickly gather information and make renting decisions more effectively.
The project delivered a successful MVP with a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 91.5, highlighting its intuitive and user-friendly design. Over 100 screens and 40+ components were developed to create a comprehensive and scalable solution. As the lead designer, I guided a team of three, developed a cohesive design system, and ensured high-quality results were delivered on time.
Design in Numbers
System Usability Scale
Screens
Components
