PROJECT OVERVIEW
The product
The product
FIRO is a user-friendly mobile application designed to simplify the process of finding compatible roommates and securing long-term accommodations. The app connects renters with suitable living arrangements while providing homeowners and landlords with detailed renter profiles, enabling them to manage their properties with greater control.
FIRO is a user-friendly mobile application designed to simplify the process of finding compatible roommates and securing long-term accommodations. The app connects renters with suitable living arrangements while providing homeowners and landlords with detailed renter profiles, enabling them to manage their properties with greater control.
The problem
Students and renters often struggle to find rental properties close to their schools or workplaces, while property owners and agencies face challenges in reaching potential tenants. Building a platform designed to bridge this gap by simplifying the rental process for both renters and property owners. With a renting house platform, renters can easily find suitable accommodations, while landlords can connect with the right tenants more efficiently. Additionally, the platform helps renters find compatible roommates, making housing more affordable and accessible.
Project Duration
1month
The goal
Designed an end-to-end mobile app that make it easier to rent a room/house for new renters and a management tool for property owners.
My role
Ideas, UX/UI design
Design process
EMPHATHIZE
User research
Competitor audit
Journey map
DEFINE
Persona
Empathy map
User stories
Problem statement
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IDEATE
User flow
Information architechture
DESIGN
Paper Wireframe
Low fidelity
High fidelity
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TEST
Conducting usability studies
Survey
Improvement
USER RESEARCH
Summary
Users expressed significant concern about finding suitable rental accommodations in their preferred locations. They seek a reliable platform that enables them to effectively filter options based on their specific requirements and provides access to reviews of both properties and landlords. My primary objective is to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges users encounter while searching for and renting new living spaces.
To address this within the project's time constraints, I employed a qualitative research approach
Pain points
1. Lack of trust and securities: New renters are afraid to get scammed by unauthorized brokers or realtors. Their information is not protected and they could not get any further information on their room research.
2. Limited property listing: People find it is hard to navigate the listing property
3. Limited photos and property information: Many people are tricked by photos that exaggerate the quality of a property, leading them to believe it's in better shape than it actually is.
4. Lack of transparency in rental process: Renter and landlord do not come to a consensus because of the misinformation during the renting process.
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User interview questions
1. What methods will you use while finding your new room/apartment?
2. Do you prefer to deal with the property owner directly or through a third party (agent)?
3. How is it important to you to see photos and videos before paying a visit to the actual location?
4. How online feedbacks from previous renter bout the place or landlord important to you?
5. What problem you usually encounter when finding an accommodation online
6. What features you wish to be included that will make it easier for you to use?
Competitor analysis
Competitor
Strenghts
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
uhomes.com
- Can find roommates on app
- Nationwide property listing
- Higher pricing for premium services.
Expanding market to real estate sectors
- Mainly go through broker/agent
Cyber security and data breachs
Zillow Rentals
- Limited coverage in some cities and areas
- Do not have reviews
- Diverse property options (Flat, house, room...)
Changing regulation
- Difficulty to navigate
- Friendly user interface
Potential needs for diversifying property options
Airbnb
- Popular among users with hospitality and travel service
- Some host charge inflate price
- Claim of fraudulent activities
- Integrating management software for host and property owners
- Decreasing acceptance of home sharing
- Negative guests experience
PERSONA
ALISA
Student
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Gender: female
Age: 20
Status: single​
Nationality: Taiwanese
Location: Phoenix, AZ
"I want to find a place that I can share with another student like me. I hope I can have a platform that help me easily contact with landlord and also help me find compatible roommates.
Bio
She is her junior year of college and want to find a new place that near her campus that she can share with another student to lower the cost. She seeks for a platform that can help her find a new suitable property with transparent communication with broker or landlord, without any fear of being scammed. Also, she needs a secure way to pay for her monthly rental.
Pain points
- Lack of transparency in lease agreement
- Limited in search filter, especially for roommates findings.
- Limited rental options for students.
- Finding an affordable and well-maintained property
- Do not want to deal with broker
Goals
- User-friendly application for accommodation searching with a specific area.
- Reliable customer support service.
- Limited budget options for students
- Save time for paying rent via application.
- Efficient communication with property owner.
User Flow
Open app
Sign up
Property owner
Sign in
Sign up form
OTP
On - boarding
Forget password
Reset password
Enter account details
OTP
Home
Renter
Sign up
Sign in
Sign up form
OTP
On - boarding
Forget password
Reset password
Enter account details
Home
OTP
Filter
Search
Set up filter
Search
Photos
Descriptions
Reviews
Owner profile
Map
Fees & policies
Apply
Explore
Property information
Selection
Request a tour
Application
Booking confirm
Confirmation page
PAPER WIREFRAME
I drafted out my wireframe on paper with key elements that i listed on my sitemap. I tried to focus on the my main features, including the division between renters and landlords or finding roommates
With some options that I draw with my pen and paper, I found the layout that I really want to use and decided to put them in my digital wireframe
WIREFRAMES
With some options that I draw with my pen and paper, I found the layout that I really want to use and decided to put them in my digital wireframe
DESIGN SYSTEM
MOCK UP
Log in Profile
Profile
Listing pages
Message Screen
Roommate finds + Saved list
Confirmation page
HI-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
TAKEAWAYS
Through this case study, I want to list important lessons that I have learned and want to adjust differently in my next project.
- Do not assume users’ need
- Priorities functionality over aesthetics
- Create information architecture
- Do more research on user usability testing
- I need to be more mindful on deciding what to put into my project since I want to accomplish to much.