Looking for a Place
Concept UX/UI mobile app design |
A connecting rental apartment platform
The challenge
Finding an apartment in Tel Aviv's competitive rental market is notoriously challenging. Skyrocketing rents, limited transparency, and fierce competition create a market failure that leaves renters at a disadvantage.
During my time with The Product Lounge, I developed an app to address this issue. It consolidates features from various platforms and empowers renters with the information they need to make informed decisions, giving them more control in their search.
In this case study, I’ll walk you through how the app tackles Tel Aviv’s rental market challenges, combats this market failure, and empowers renters.
Comparative research
User reviews revealed the main sources of disappointment with popular rental platforms:
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Limited selection of listings
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Inadequate filtering options
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Poor overall app functionality
On the other hand, using popular Facebook tools—such as designated groups, Messenger, and Marketplace—requires hours of scrolling through posts that:
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Appear in random order
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Vary widely due to unstructured content
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Easily get lost in the shuffle between Facebook and Messenger, as well as within Messenger’s inbox
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Display the identity of the person posting
Conclusions
My goal was to combine the advantages of non-Facebook apps with the ease of filtering and functionality, offering:
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Easy access and intuitive filtering options
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Personalized search results
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Reduced effort for users
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A unified, consistent information format
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Organized data that highlights key features
See how is how I implemented these conclusions on the app:
Easy to scan
The core features are highlighted to ensure easy scanning and readability. Consistent presentation of information, supported by clear information architecture, intuitive icons, and a sticky call-to-action (CTA), improves user comprehension and reduces cognitive effort. This allows users to compare listings quickly, saving time and enhancing their overall experience.
Feed scrolling and post selection flow
Presonalised feed view
Selected post view
Lightened cognitive load
The design reduces cognitive load in two ways:
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By breaking down the filtering process into a step-by-step card format, where users handle one task at a time without feeling overwhelmed. This gradual approach ensures users can engage at their own pace.
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By minimizing mandatory actions. Users are only required to select a location upon entering, while registration is deferred until they initiate contact with others. By keeping early steps optional, the design reduces pressure and encourages seamless engagement.
By guiding users through a simple, manageable flow, the design ensures a smooth, user-friendly experience that encourages continued engagement.
Search costumization flow
A visual map for location selection is the only mandatory step for users
Step-by-step wizzard
Personification
Research shows that users are more likely to engage with others who appear genuine, as trust and authenticity play a significant role in online interactions. In a closely-knit community like Israel, where personal connections run deep, mutual friends become a valuable trust signal. This familiarity encourages engagement and makes users feel more comfortable interacting with each other.
Deferred registration flow
Emphesized social media registration.
The importance of registering for safety is explained.
Users are encouraged to connect through mutual Facebook friends
Unlike non-Facebook apps, the person's info is prioritized at the top of the chat architecture.
Personalized results
Easy access and straightforward filtering options enable users to arrange information based on their preferences, offering a sense of autonomy during this stressful journey. Personalized results, combined with their preferred listing order, help users avoid feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information.
The filter and sort options are always available for personalized results
Optional wizzard fill
Design
I designed the logo using two simple geometric shapes in orange and purple, merging them to symbolize the connection between renters and listers. This flat, minimalist aesthetic, along with youthful colors that reflect the city’s vibrant energy, extends throughout the overall design, creating a modern, streamlined look targeted at millennials.
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