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Habitat
UX Design, User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, UI Design,User Testing
2021
Project overview
The problem:
Searching for an apartment is a lot of work, ranging from getting a choice of an apartment, inspection, and extra charges from agents and also the risk of payment to fraudsters
The goal:
Habitat will let users search for apartments in their own comfort, get real-time information about the apartment make secure payments, and get their apartments with ease.
User research: summary
User research was conducted at the early stage of the design which makes understanding the problem from user perspective easier, after the digital wireframe has been designed, a usability testing was conducted to know if the design conforms with the user needs.
Users wasting time inspecting too many houses physically
User research: pain points
Taken apartment still appearing on the listing
Exorbitant charges from agents and other third parties.
Persona
Shola
Problem statement:
Shola is a busy banker
who needs a website for searching an apartment
because he doesn’t like to go around for house inspections.
Goals
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Having more websites to search from.
Frustrations
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Inspecting too many houses you might later take.
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Making enquiries about apartments that has been taken
I designed a mobile application for a local restaurant that allowed users to easily view the menu, make reservations, and order takeout. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font.
Problem statement:
Mariam 34-year-old medical doctor living in Abuja with his family is a busy person and disciplinarian.
She is frustrated with unnecessary charges payments for agents and inspection of houses here and there.
Goals
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Moderate charges for agents in charge
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More details about apartments on websites.
Frustrations
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Inspection Frustrations
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Irrelevant Charges
Mariam Garba
User journey map
Mapping Shola User’s journey reveals how helpful it will be to have access to an online platform that makes it easy to search and get an apartment of his choice
Sitemap
Digital Wireframes
The app gives users option to either have a virtual inspection (video tour) or go for physical inspection
One of the main function of the website is to search for apartment, therefore a big search button is placed on the hero section, this will make it easy to make a search.
A filter is also placed on it to easily narrow down the search.
Making website navigation easy is important, the goal here is to make information architecture that will improve the overall navigation of the website.
Usability study: findings
After i created the wireframes, I conducted a usability study that added to my insight
Round 1 findings
Users login is not compulsory till user request for inspection
Users find the navigation easy
Users like to add houses to favourite
Round 2 findings
Users can request for both physical and virtual inspection
Users find the whole process is easier
Mockups
High-fidelity prototype
The high-fidelity prototype has a cleaner version of the design and its user flow for searching and scheduling inspection.
The high-fidelity prototype
Accessibility considerations
A search bar is included which has a voice typing, and also a screen reader that makes it easy for people that are visually impaired to use the app.
Carefully color selection and contrast improves users visibility.
Takeaways
Impact:
This design will make searching, and getting an apartment easy and hassle-free.
“The prototype is easy and the design is neat”
What I learned:
Conducting user research and usability testing I have come to realize that, bias is a big obstacle a designer should be conscious of and try to do away with it.