Middle
Find a roommate with a matching system
Product design
Branding
End-to-End
TIMELINE
SECTOR
DESIGN ROLE
TEAM
2024 (4 Months)
Blair Kwon
Kira Guo
Kiyoung Lee
Roommates, New York
Product, UXUI, Research
INTRODUCTION
Currently, Gen Z and millennials residing in New York City face significant challenges in finding ideal roommates swiftly and safely.
The process is time-consuming and uncertain due to the diverse preferences and criteria of each user. Existing platforms lack a comprehensive solution to match individuals with compatible roommates efficiently, leaving users unsure of when or if they will find a suitable living arrangement. As a result, there is a pressing need for a web platform that prioritizes safety and expediency while facilitating the seamless discovery of ideal roommates tailored to each user's unique preferences.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
In New York City, finding roommates and housing can be a difficult and even overwhelming experience for young professionals and students, especially Gen Z and millennials. Inefficiencies, a lack of transparency, and a lack of resources to handle personal preferences and safety concerns affect the process. Current solutions don't offer a trustworthy and simple approach to meet possible roommates who have similar expectations and living patterns. Users are consequently forced to navigate a disorganized and time-consuming process, which frequently results in less-than-ideal living situations. A user-friendly platform that streamlines the roommate search process and guarantees speed, safety, and a customized match for each user's particular housing requirements and lifestyle is desperately needed.
CONCEPTS
I combined the finding roommates of personal needs and the all-in-one platform of goal.
SOLUTIONS
Matching Percentage
Users begin by creating a detailed profile within the app, answering questions that cover various aspects of their lifestyle, such as sleep patterns, cooking habits, and other daily routines. They then specify their preferences for an ideal roommate by responding to similar questions. Based on the information provided, the app automatically calculates a matching percentage, displaying potential roommates ranked by compatibility. The higher the matching percentage, the more closely aligned the potential roommate is with the user's lifestyle and preferences, ensuring a better fit for shared living.
Preference Hashtags
Users can further personalize their profiles by adding hashtags that reflect their interests and hobbies, such as #sport or #music. This feature makes it easier to connect with potential roommates who share similar tastes, allowing for a more tailored and enjoyable living experience.
Chatting with Future Roommates
Users can initiate conversations with potential roommates through a chat feature. Privacy is a key consideration here; they can make a conversation after requesting and accepting. Before a conversation begins, the other can review the requester’s profile and decide whether to accept the chat invitation. Once the conversation is accepted, users can communicate directly to learn more about each other and determine if they would be a good fit as roommates.
Recommend best location for house
In addition to matching users with potential roommates, we’ve introduced a feature to help them find suitable housing. Finding a home in New York City can be both time-consuming and stressful, so we developed a solution called the 'See U in the Middle.' This feature focuses on two key factors: location and budget. Users can simply enter the addresses of their workplaces or schools, and the app automatically recommends apartments located at a convenient midpoint between these locations. The recommendations are tailored to fit within the roommates’ combined budget, making it easier to find a home that meets everyone's needs.
Understanding the Current Finding Roommates App
RESEARCH
KEY FEATURES
Profile Maker
For new users, the initial step is to answer all the questions provided by the app. These responses are crucial as they allow the app to calculate a matching percentage with other users, indicating how compatible they might be as potential roommates.
Finding Roommates
Finding the best roommate is the key focus of this app. The app automatically calculates a matching percentage and shows the most compatible roommates. After submitting their hashtag preferences, users can view the recommended roommates' hobbies, sleep patterns, and other relevant details.
Chatting with Future Roommates
While searching for the ideal roommates, users need to communicate to ensure they are a good fit. After reviewing the information on each other's profile pages, users can add each other as friends and engage in more detailed conversations.
See U in the Middle!
Location is often the biggest challenge when finding a shared home, as students and office workers typically want to live close to their schools and workplaces. This difference in preferences can lead to disagreements. To minimize these conflicts, the app automatically recommends the best location by calculating a midpoint between the provided school or company addresses by users. It then shows a list of apartments in this recommended area, making it easier for users to agree on a convenient and suitable place to live.
CONCLUSION
This project was one of the most engaging case studies I've worked on. Unlike rebranding an existing app, this project allowed me to create something entirely new from scratch, covering everything from research to branding. It was incredibly rewarding to lead the entire process, from conceptualizing the platform to conducting research and designing its features. Initially, the platform was focused solely on finding a roommate, but it evolved to include the functionality of finding a shared home. This shift highlighted the exciting aspects of UX design for me. Additionally, it was a truly enjoyable experience to design the app, create a logo, establish a brand identity, and ensure consistency throughout the process.
NEXT STEPS...
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Break down personal information and ideal roommate questions to find a better fit and ideal roommate
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At ‘See U in the Middle’ part, make UI more easily to use
USER JOURNEY
DESIGN SYSTEM
Finding roommates and house in NYC
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