Project Happy Home

Mobile App / Website Prototype | Case Study | 2021

Project Happy Home is a responsive design prototype that helps users to find short-term or long-term rental homes.  I created this project for the Google UX Specialization course.  

Project Duration

1 month

My Role

UX Designer

My Responsibilities

Ideating, user research, visual design, wireframing, prototyping

The Problem

Realty websites often frustrate their users with their inadequate usage of functions, limited feedback mechanisms and low accessibility standards. Also, international community members experience even more difficulties with the language barrier.

The Solution

I benefit from filtering functions and feedback mechanisms to address user needs. I studied user flow and visual design elements for enhanced user experience. 

Understanding

User research

I conducted phone interviews with four people from three countries. The diversity in location aims to approach the problem from a holistic perspective. I learned user habits and frustrations during the interviews, and the design formed around the results. 

Study Type

Phone interview

Location

Czech Republic, Netherlands, Turkey; remote

Participants

4 participants 

(2 female, 2 male)

Length

~10 minutes

Content

Users feel frustrated when they see wrong or out-of-date content in an advertisement. 

Function

Filters cannot be able to catch every listing. Users miss some rentals that match their criteria.

Feedback

Users are eager to give feedback about any problem related to an advertisement.

Language

Lack of language support makes finding the rentals process harder for some foreigners.

User personas

"Finding a new apartment should be an exciting experience."

Competitive audit

The Design Process

User journey map

Persona: Rowan van Loon

Goal: Find a rental apartment

Information architecture

Paper wireframes

Website 

For the home page, I prioritised the search function, which is the primary interaction of the website. Also, I tried to place lists intuitively.

Mobile app

For the mobile app wireframes, I placed interface elements and interactions according to the potential users' needs.

Digital wireframes

Iteration

Usability studies

Study Type

Moderated usability study

Location

Czech Republic, remote

Participants

4 participants (2 female, 2 male)

Age range: 25-35

Length

15 minutes

Visual representation

Users want a visually immersive experience.

Feedback

Some users need better feedback, especially after reporting false information on a property.

Customized experience

Users want a more personalized approach. They mentioned their need to organize the favorite rentals list.

The Solution

#1 Feedback on real estate listings

It is possible to mark an advertisement.
An advertisement can be marked in three situations: 
  • Involves false information
  • The rental is not up-to-date
  • There is a problem in communication with the advertiser
If enough quantities of reports are received, the ad becomes marked. Users can save time by avoiding these ads.

#2 Feedback on unfiltered listings

If the advertiser doesn't list all details, the ad may not be filtered. Happy Home project warns its users against ads not listed but may fit their preferences. 
List of properties that may have been missed.

Mockups

Website

Mobile App

High-Fidelity Prototype

Impact

“The website is easy to navigate and has a visually appealing design. I think feedback mechanisms are just right. I would surely use it.” – Participant C

Going Forward

What I learned:

Next steps: