Case Study: Rental App for Students and Bachelors
1. Project Overview
Objective
To design a user-friendly rental app specifically for students and bachelors seeking affordable housing options with flexible arrangements, essential amenities, and hassle-free leasing.
Target Audience
Students and young professionals who prioritize budget-friendly options, minimal commitments, and quick access to information about neighborhood amenities and house details.
2. Research & Discovery
User Research
Personas: Developed user personas including undergraduates, new graduates, and entry-level employees, each with varying budgets, space requirements, and preferences for social interaction.
Surveys & Interviews: Conducted surveys and interviews with students and bachelors to understand their pain points, such as the struggle to find reliable listings, budget constraints, roommate compatibility, and the need for nearby facilities.
Key Insights
Budget is critical: Users prioritize affordability and clarity on costs, preferring options that fit within their budgets.
Flexible leasing options: Many prefer short-term leases, roommate-matching, and co-living spaces.
Amenities matter: Proximity to public transport, WiFi, kitchen facilities, and laundry services are essential for this audience.
3. Feature List & App Concept
Core Features
Easy Search & Filter: Filters for rent budget, type of accommodation (shared, private, single room, etc.), distance to university or workplace, and amenities.
Roommate Matching: A feature to find compatible roommates based on shared interests, lifestyle preferences, and budget.
Verified Listings: Ensuring each listing is verified with landlord details, images, and descriptions to build trust.
Neighborhood Insights: Interactive map with information on nearby grocery stores, hospitals, gyms, and cafes.
Direct Messaging: In-app chat for users to connect with landlords or potential roommates.
Payment Flexibility: Integration with digital payment methods and options for monthly, quarterly, and annual payments.
4. Design Process
Wireframing & Prototyping
Created wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes in Figma to outline the primary user journey:
Onboarding Screen: Introduces key features and allows users to set initial preferences for location, budget, and type of accommodation.
Home Screen: A feed of curated listings based on user preferences, with options to filter and sort results.
Property Details Page: Includes high-resolution images, virtual tours, rent breakdown, amenities, and neighborhood details.
Messaging Section: Chat functionality to inquire about listings or negotiate with roommates.
User Profile & Settings: Allows users to manage their search criteria, saved listings, and contact information.
User Interface (UI) Design
Color Scheme: Used a friendly and inviting palette with soft blues, greens, and whites, giving the app a fresh and approachable feel.
Typography: Clear, readable sans-serif fonts to ensure information is easy to digest.
Imagery: Emphasis on bright, high-quality photos for each listing to help users visualize the property.
Icons and Micro-interactions: Used icons for features like amenities and property highlights, with subtle animations to make navigation intuitive and enjoyable.
5. Usability Testing & Iterations
Testing Process
Conducted usability testing with students and early-career professionals:
Feedback on Navigation: Users found the app intuitive but requested easier access to filters and sorting options.
Listing Details Clarity: Modified listing descriptions based on feedback for better transparency on total costs and rules.
Iterations
Based on feedback, made changes to:
Add a floating filter button for easier access to search customization.
Update the listing preview with more details to reduce the need to click into each listing.
6. Final Product
The final app design enables students and bachelors to quickly find, compare, and choose affordable housing options that fit their lifestyle, with flexible leasing terms and roommate-matching for co-living preferences.
7. Tools & Technologies Used
Figma: For wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
Notion: For planning and tracking project progress.
Adobe Illustrator: To create custom icons and illustrations for the UI.
8. Key Learnings
This project emphasized the importance of:
Addressing the specific needs of budget-conscious users.
Balancing transparency with simplicity in listing details.
The value of user testing in iterating on design features and improving user satisfaction.
