INDEX
😞 Spoiler Alert!
This was a test for a contract job interview which I later secured. I decided to elaborate on the Product for my portfolio. Roomie is a testament to the art of possibility, not a startup success story.
😞 Spoiler Alert!
This was a test for a contract job interview which I later secured. I decided to elaborate on the Product for my portfolio. Roomie is a testament to the art of possibility, not a startup success story.
😞 Spoiler Alert!
This was a test for a contract job interview which I later secured. I decided to elaborate on the Product for my portfolio. Roomie is a testament to the art of possibility, not a startup success story.
Made for
Made for
VolitionCapital
VolitionCapital
My role
My role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Initially: 3 Days Challenge
Initially: 3 Days Challenge
Modification: 2 Weeks
Modification: 2 Weeks
Responsibilties
Responsibilties
Design Direction, Research, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Prototyping
Design Direction, Research, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Prototyping
Overview
Overview
Crafting Connections, One Room at a Time
Crafting Connections, One Room at a Time
Roomie is not just any app; it is a journey into the heart of urban living. Roomie enters in Lagos, Nigeria, and takes off to explore a dynamic housing landscape. It's a tale of connection – matching people not only with their perfect roommates but also with the right apartments. Aligned with reality, when more than 50% of the world's population now reside in cities and with increasingly high ages for marriage, Roomie addresses a very real need for compatible, safe, and enjoyable shared living experiences. From the pictures, the project is a union of data-driven insights and humanized design reflecting the bold spirits of city dwellers and their desire to feel at home.
Roomie is not just any app; it is a journey into the heart of urban living. Roomie enters in Lagos, Nigeria, and takes off to explore a dynamic housing landscape. It's a tale of connection – matching people not only with their perfect roommates but also with the right apartments. Aligned with reality, when more than 50% of the world's population now reside in cities and with increasingly high ages for marriage, Roomie addresses a very real need for compatible, safe, and enjoyable shared living experiences. From the pictures, the project is a union of data-driven insights and humanized design reflecting the bold spirits of city dwellers and their desire to feel at home.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Navigating the Urban Maze of Roommates and Rentals
Navigating the Urban Maze of Roommates and Rentals
The brief I got from the test details I was provided for Roomie outlined a clear need for a solution that simplifies the process of finding and living with a roommate in Lagos, especially considering the rising urban population and the shift in average marriage ages. This context set the stage for Roomie, but digging deeper into the urban fabric of Lagos revealed additional layers to the challenge:
The brief I got from the test details I was provided for Roomie outlined a clear need for a solution that simplifies the process of finding and living with a roommate in Lagos, especially considering the rising urban population and the shift in average marriage ages. This context set the stage for Roomie, but digging deeper into the urban fabric of Lagos revealed additional layers to the challenge:
Compatibility Complexities
Compatibility Complexities
In this mixed breed, getting individuals together based on lifestyle, habits, and likes were to be ensured. How will roommates be ensured not to become housemates but comrades?
In this mixed breed, getting individuals together based on lifestyle, habits, and likes were to be ensured. How will roommates be ensured not to become housemates but comrades?
Trust and Safety Concerns
Trust and Safety Concerns
Using strangers' lend-out to also share your living space, how else could you go about a populated urban environment making its inhabitants feel safe as well as building trust? How do we go about actually establishing an environment that makes these people feel safe and also that creates that element of trust that is really needed?
Using strangers' lend-out to also share your living space, how else could you go about a populated urban environment making its inhabitants feel safe as well as building trust? How do we go about actually establishing an environment that makes these people feel safe and also that creates that element of trust that is really needed?
Financial and Logistical Barriers
Financial and Logistical Barriers
There's usually a lot of friction on the financial end of shared living, especially when it comes to bill management and splitting costs such as rent. How do we make these processes easier to avoid conflicts that arise from the same?
There's usually a lot of friction on the financial end of shared living, especially when it comes to bill management and splitting costs such as rent. How do we make these processes easier to avoid conflicts that arise from the same?
Diverse User Needs
Diverse User Needs
A wide range of users' preferences and needs in a city like Lagos, where housing needs are different from North to South, were such a big challenge. How do you design an all-around solution appealing and meeting the needs of diverse millennials?
A wide range of users' preferences and needs in a city like Lagos, where housing needs are different from North to South, were such a big challenge. How do you design an all-around solution appealing and meeting the needs of diverse millennials?
Market Saturation and Differentiation
Market Saturation and Differentiation
With the multitude of offerings existing in the housing market, having a point of differentiation that stands out along with an offering that provides a fairly different user-friendly experience was key. How is Roomie going to provide differentiation within the market saturation?
With the multitude of offerings existing in the housing market, having a point of differentiation that stands out along with an offering that provides a fairly different user-friendly experience was key. How is Roomie going to provide differentiation within the market saturation?
I wanted to create a solution that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of urban dwellers in their quest for the perfect living situation.
I wanted to create a solution that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of urban dwellers in their quest for the perfect living situation.
The Process
The Process
A Personal Expedition in Understanding Housing Challenges
A Personal Expedition in Understanding Housing Challenges
I could not follow up with a formal workshop, so I resorted to some impromptu ways and approached my friends and colleagues on WhatsApp. It was in this virtual space that I found a lot of experiences and nuggets. Every chat box brimmed with stories on both house searches as well as between the interactions of future flatmates. Every conversation was a window to the varied needs and aspirations of all potential students, juggling budgets to young professionals hoping to find comfortable living spaces.
I could not follow up with a formal workshop, so I resorted to some impromptu ways and approached my friends and colleagues on WhatsApp. It was in this virtual space that I found a lot of experiences and nuggets. Every chat box brimmed with stories on both house searches as well as between the interactions of future flatmates. Every conversation was a window to the varied needs and aspirations of all potential students, juggling budgets to young professionals hoping to find comfortable living spaces.
Based on the information from the Roomie app target market and the associated research, here are three distinct personas:
Based on the information from the Roomie app target market and the associated research, here are three distinct personas:
Background
Tolu recently moved to Lagos for her new job. She's excited about her career but finds the city's housing market overwhelming.
Goals / Needs
To find a secure, budget-friendly apartment close to work.
To match with a responsible and like-minded roommate.
A streamlined apartment search process that fits her busy lifestyle.
Pain Points
Struggles to find an affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood.
Wants a roommate to share expenses but is concerned about safety and compatibility.
Has a busy work schedule, making apartment hunting challenging.
Background
Tolu recently moved to Lagos for her new job. She's excited about her career but finds the city's housing market overwhelming.
Goals / Needs
To find a secure, budget-friendly apartment close to work.
To match with a responsible and like-minded roommate.
A streamlined apartment search process that fits her busy lifestyle.
Pain Points
Struggles to find an affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood.
Wants a roommate to share expenses but is concerned about safety and compatibility.
Has a busy work schedule, making apartment hunting challenging.
Background
Tolu recently moved to Lagos for her new job. She's excited about her career but finds the city's housing market overwhelming.
Goals / Needs
To find a secure, budget-friendly apartment close to work.
To match with a responsible and like-minded roommate.
A streamlined apartment search process that fits her busy lifestyle.
Pain Points
Struggles to find an affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood.
Wants a roommate to share expenses but is concerned about safety and compatibility.
Has a busy work schedule, making apartment hunting challenging.
Background
David just graduated from university and is actively seeking employment. He's living on a tight budget and needs an affordable living solution.
Goals / Needs
An affordable living space with flexible lease terms.
To find trustworthy roommates who are also budget-conscious.
An easy-to-use platform to facilitate his search.
Pain Points
Limited budget for rent and other living expenses.
Looking for roommates but anxious about living with strangers.
Needs a flexible living arrangement as his job situation is still uncertain.
Background
David just graduated from university and is actively seeking employment. He's living on a tight budget and needs an affordable living solution.
Goals / Needs
An affordable living space with flexible lease terms.
To find trustworthy roommates who are also budget-conscious.
An easy-to-use platform to facilitate his search.
Pain Points
Limited budget for rent and other living expenses.
Looking for roommates but anxious about living with strangers.
Needs a flexible living arrangement as his job situation is still uncertain.
Background
David just graduated from university and is actively seeking employment. He's living on a tight budget and needs an affordable living solution.
Goals / Needs
An affordable living space with flexible lease terms.
To find trustworthy roommates who are also budget-conscious.
An easy-to-use platform to facilitate his search.
Pain Points
Limited budget for rent and other living expenses.
Looking for roommates but anxious about living with strangers.
Needs a flexible living arrangement as his job situation is still uncertain.
Background
Ada is relocating to Lagos to expand her business. She's familiar with the city but hasn't lived there for an extended period.
Goals / Needs
A comfortable apartment in a neighborhood that's conducive to both living and working.
A roommate who respects privacy and has a similar lifestyle, preferably a professional.
A hassle-free way to find a suitable living arrangement that doesn't
Pain Points
Needs a place that can also accommodate occasional work from home.
Wants a roommate for social and financial reasons but is particular about personal space and lifestyle compatibility.
Limited time for apartment hunting due to business commitments.
Background
Ada is relocating to Lagos to expand her business. She's familiar with the city but hasn't lived there for an extended period.
Goals / Needs
A comfortable apartment in a neighborhood that's conducive to both living and working.
A roommate who respects privacy and has a similar lifestyle, preferably a professional.
A hassle-free way to find a suitable living arrangement that doesn't
Pain Points
Needs a place that can also accommodate occasional work from home.
Wants a roommate for social and financial reasons but is particular about personal space and lifestyle compatibility.
Limited time for apartment hunting due to business commitments.
Background
Ada is relocating to Lagos to expand her business. She's familiar with the city but hasn't lived there for an extended period.
Goals / Needs
A comfortable apartment in a neighborhood that's conducive to both living and working.
A roommate who respects privacy and has a similar lifestyle, preferably a professional.
A hassle-free way to find a suitable living arrangement that doesn't
Pain Points
Needs a place that can also accommodate occasional work from home.
Wants a roommate for social and financial reasons but is particular about personal space and lifestyle compatibility.
Limited time for apartment hunting due to business commitments.
These chats revealed the laughter and frustrations of the breathing urban living experience. I would listen to firsthand experiences of how difficult it was sourcing for suitable roommates and good apartments, and this gave me the opportunity to taste from the broader issues faced by residents in Lagos rather than access life through the normal issues foreigners face.
My own arduous experience in looking for an apartment in Lagos greatly shaped my perspective, taking me four grilling months, dealing with numerous agents, and viewing countless unsuitable apartments. This personal struggle really laid bare the continuous inefficiency and opaqueness of the current system.
These chats revealed the laughter and frustrations of the breathing urban living experience. I would listen to firsthand experiences of how difficult it was sourcing for suitable roommates and good apartments, and this gave me the opportunity to taste from the broader issues faced by residents in Lagos rather than access life through the normal issues foreigners face.
My own arduous experience in looking for an apartment in Lagos greatly shaped my perspective, taking me four grilling months, dealing with numerous agents, and viewing countless unsuitable apartments. This personal struggle really laid bare the continuous inefficiency and opaqueness of the current system.
Research Assessment
It's crucial to identify and mitigate key product risks across various dimensions: Value, Usability, Feasibility, and Viability.
Research Assessment
It's crucial to identify and mitigate key product risks across various dimensions: Value, Usability, Feasibility, and Viability.
Research Assessment
It's crucial to identify and mitigate key product risks across various dimensions: Value, Usability, Feasibility, and Viability.
User Journey Map
Each stage is designed to address her specific needs and pain points, with opportunities for Roomie to enhance the user experience and meet Tolu's expectations.
User Journey Map
Each stage is designed to address her specific needs and pain points, with opportunities for Roomie to enhance the user experience and meet Tolu's expectations.
User Journey Map
Each stage is designed to address her specific needs and pain points, with opportunities for Roomie to enhance the user experience and meet Tolu's expectations.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Branding & Design
Branding & Design
In designing Roomie, I carefully selected teal as the primary color and coral as the secondary to evoke feelings of tranquility and warmth, reflecting the app's aim to make the roommate search process both calm and optimistic. The logo, featuring a house with two keys shaped like people, symbolizes Roomie's dual focus on finding not just a place to live but also a compatible person to share it with. I chose the Urbanist font for its modern and accessible feel, ensuring that Roomie's interface is user-friendly and inviting. These choices are deeply connected to Roomie's mission, aiming to visually communicate the app's values and goals, creating a cohesive brand experience that resonates with users.
In designing Roomie, I carefully selected teal as the primary color and coral as the secondary to evoke feelings of tranquility and warmth, reflecting the app's aim to make the roommate search process both calm and optimistic. The logo, featuring a house with two keys shaped like people, symbolizes Roomie's dual focus on finding not just a place to live but also a compatible person to share it with. I chose the Urbanist font for its modern and accessible feel, ensuring that Roomie's interface is user-friendly and inviting. These choices are deeply connected to Roomie's mission, aiming to visually communicate the app's values and goals, creating a cohesive brand experience that resonates with users.
I ventured into the design, taking on the challenge to bring Roomie to life. My journey, fueled by extensive research and user-focused insights, aimed to unravel the complex puzzle of crafting an intuitive and engaging roommate-finding experience. Delving into the unique needs of urban dwellers and the intricacies of compatibility, each step represented a thorough immersion into the essence of design thinking.
I ventured into the design, taking on the challenge to bring Roomie to life. My journey, fueled by extensive research and user-focused insights, aimed to unravel the complex puzzle of crafting an intuitive and engaging roommate-finding experience. Delving into the unique needs of urban dwellers and the intricacies of compatibility, each step represented a thorough immersion into the essence of design thinking.
Viola!
Splash Screen
Splash Screen
Sign Up
Sign Up
Sign In
Sign In
Forgot Password
Forgot Password
Onboarding
Onboarding
Criteria
Criteria
Here, you input essential details like location, budget, and what you're searching for—be it a roomie or an apartment. It's all about the basics, ensuring every match fits your fundamental needs.
Here, you input essential details like location, budget, and what you're searching for—be it a roomie or an apartment. It's all about the basics, ensuring every match fits your fundamental needs.
Preferences
Preferences
This is where personality comes into play. From your cleanliness level to lifestyle choices, this section refines your search, focusing on the compatibility factor for that perfect living harmony.
This is where personality comes into play. From your cleanliness level to lifestyle choices, this section refines your search, focusing on the compatibility factor for that perfect living harmony.
Exploring Roomie
Exploring Roomie
Each screen is a blend of functionality and aesthetics, intended to make your Roomie experience not just efficient but also enjoyable.
Each screen is a blend of functionality and aesthetics, intended to make your Roomie experience not just efficient but also enjoyable.
Adding a Listing
Adding a Listing
Chatting / In-app Calls
Chatting / In-app Calls
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Reflections
Reflections
Reflecting on my role as the product designer for Roomie, I distilled my experiences into four concise lessons:
Reflecting on my role as the product designer for Roomie, I distilled my experiences into four concise lessons:
User-Centric Design is Essential
User-Centric Design is Essential
Emphasizing users' needs and feedback throughout the design process ensures the app not only works well but also deeply connects with its audience.
Emphasizing users' needs and feedback throughout the design process ensures the app not only works well but also deeply connects with its audience.
Embrace Simplicity
Embrace Simplicity
A minimalist design approach, focusing on ease of navigation and clarity, proves to be timeless and effective, cutting through the noise of fleeting trends.
A minimalist design approach, focusing on ease of navigation and clarity, proves to be timeless and effective, cutting through the noise of fleeting trends.
Flexibility and Adaptability are Key
Flexibility and Adaptability are Key
The journey taught me to stay open to evolving designs based on real-world feedback and technical realities, embodying the iterative nature of product development.
The journey taught me to stay open to evolving designs based on real-world feedback and technical realities, embodying the iterative nature of product development.
Prioritize Ethical Design and Privacy
Prioritize Ethical Design and Privacy
Ethical considerations, especially around user data and privacy, are non-negotiable. Designing responsibly builds trust and safeguards users' interests.
Ethical considerations, especially around user data and privacy, are non-negotiable. Designing responsibly builds trust and safeguards users' interests.
SOUND
OFF
SOUND
OFF
Roomie
Roomie
Roomie
Roomie