Case Study: Designing a platform to connect remote workers and travelers with coliving spaces.
Case Study: Designing a platform to connect remote workers and travelers with coliving spaces.
Coliving is a modern housing concept that has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by soaring housing costs and the rise of remote work. However, despite its increasing popularity, finding and researching coliving spaces remains a challenge.
Coliving is a modern housing concept that has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by soaring housing costs and the rise of remote work. However, despite its increasing popularity, finding and researching coliving spaces remains a challenge.
Therefore, I designed a platform to help remote workers and travelers find coliving spaces that fit their unique needs and preferences while also helping property owners improve their visibility and find tenants.
Therefore, I designed a platform to help remote workers and travelers find coliving spaces that fit their unique needs and preferences while also helping property owners improve their visibility and find tenants.
Summary
Summary
Skills:
Skills:
Competitive analysis, user interviews, wireframing, usability testing, prototyping
Competitive analysis, user interviews, wireframing, usability testing, prototyping
Tools Used:
Tools Used:
Figma
Figma
My Role:
My Role:
UX Designer
UX Designer
Project Duration:
Project Duration:
4 weeks
4 weeks
project background
Coliving is a modern housing concept which has seen rapid growth in demand due to soaring housing costs and the rise of remote work.
Coliving is a modern housing concept which has seen rapid growth in demand due to soaring housing costs and the rise of remote work.
Soaring housing costs, especially in urban areas, have driven demand for more affordable living options. At the same time, the rise of remote work has granted many people more freedom in their living and working environment.
Soaring housing costs, especially in urban areas, have driven demand for more affordable living options. At the same time, the rise of remote work has granted many people more freedom in their living and working environment.
Coliving has provided one solution for both of these growing trends, offering remote workers and travelers an affordable, flexible, and community-oriented living arrangement. With remote work trends and rising housing costs expected to continue, the demand for coliving spaces is likely to remain strong.
Coliving has provided one solution for both of these growing trends, offering remote workers and travelers an affordable, flexible, and community-oriented living arrangement. With remote work trends and rising housing costs expected to continue, the demand for coliving spaces is likely to remain strong.
Coliving: A modern living arrangement where someone rents a room or an apartment within a communal property, benefiting from shared amenities and activities designed to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Coliving: A modern living arrangement where someone rents a room or an apartment within a communal property, benefiting from shared amenities and activities designed to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Source: Coliving.com
Source: Coliving.com
Discovering and researching coliving spaces can be challenging due to limited and unreliable information.
Discovering and researching coliving spaces can be challenging due to limited and unreliable information.
While Google searching can help users find some coliving options, discovering locations and finding detailed and accurate information about properties can often be a challenge. Uncertainty about whether a property aligns with your needs and preferences makes the booking process stressful—especially when traveling to a new country or far from home.
While Google searching can help users find some coliving options, discovering locations and finding detailed and accurate information about properties can often be a challenge. Uncertainty about whether a property aligns with your needs and preferences makes the booking process stressful—especially when traveling to a new country or far from home.
I want to design a platform that helps users discover and research coliving spaces while also connecting property owners with potential tenants.
I want to design a platform that helps users discover and research coliving spaces while also connecting property owners with potential tenants.
This user-focused website will help remote workers and travelers find coliving spaces that align with their unique needs and preferences and provide peace of mind by ensuring their accommodation and work environment are ready upon arrival.
This user-focused website will help remote workers and travelers find coliving spaces that align with their unique needs and preferences and provide peace of mind by ensuring their accommodation and work environment are ready upon arrival.
At the same time, this platform will serve as a valuable tool for property owners, helping them broaden their reach and showcase their properties to a global audience. If someone is searching for a cozy farm stay in rural Spain, this platform can improve the property’s visibility and make it easier for potential tenants to discover and connect with it.
At the same time, this platform will serve as a valuable tool for property owners, helping them broaden their reach and showcase their properties to a global audience. If someone is searching for a cozy farm stay in rural Spain, this platform can improve the property’s visibility and make it easier for potential tenants to discover and connect with it.
Primary Goals of Coliving Platform
Primary Goals of Coliving Platform
Help users discover colivings worldwide. Whether searching for a room in bustling New York City or a cottage in rural France, this platform will help users find properties that fit their specific needs and lifestyle.
Help users discover colivings worldwide. Whether searching for a room in bustling New York City or a cottage in rural France, this platform will help users find properties that fit their specific needs and lifestyle.
Provide reliable property information. Ensure users have access to verified details, photos, and reviews, covering essentials like Wi-Fi quality, bathroom arrangements, and amenities for informed decision-making.
Provide reliable property information. Ensure users have access to verified details, photos, and reviews, covering essentials like Wi-Fi quality, bathroom arrangements, and amenities for informed decision-making.
Support property owners. Enable property owners—particularly small-scale operators who may lack the expertise or resources to effectively advertise their coliving spaces—to showcase their spaces, connect with potential residents, and grow their business.
Support property owners. Enable property owners—particularly small-scale operators who may lack the expertise or resources to effectively advertise their coliving spaces—to showcase their spaces, connect with potential residents, and grow their business.
research
Examining existing platforms for discovering and researching colivings to better understand the current landscape and features.
Examining existing platforms for discovering and researching colivings to better understand the current landscape and features.
While booking a coliving can often be done by communicating with the location directly, there are also platforms that help connect users with coliving spaces like Coliving.com. Although targeted more towards backpackers, I also chose to research HostelWorld to learn more about features provided by a community-focused accommodation platform.
While booking a coliving can often be done by communicating with the location directly, there are also platforms that help connect users with coliving spaces like Coliving.com. Although targeted more towards backpackers, I also chose to research HostelWorld to learn more about features provided by a community-focused accommodation platform.
A few of the coliving platforms I researched were:
A few of the coliving platforms I researched were:
Beyond standard features like search functionality, property descriptions, reviews, and photos, community-focused accommodation platforms also highlighted these features:
Beyond standard features like search functionality, property descriptions, reviews, and photos, community-focused accommodation platforms also highlighted these features:
Connection to a local host or guide, sometimes located onsite, to help organize events and manage property needs, such as maintenance or resident concerns.
Connection to a local host or guide, sometimes located onsite, to help organize events and manage property needs, such as maintenance or resident concerns.
Mobile app or messaging platforms. Many coliving booking platforms, as well as individual properties, used mobile applications or messaging platforms to keep residents connected, share updates, and cultivate a sense of community during their stay.
Mobile app or messaging platforms. Many coliving booking platforms, as well as individual properties, used mobile applications or messaging platforms to keep residents connected, share updates, and cultivate a sense of community during their stay.
Member discounts and long-stay incentives. Offering discounts to paid members and long-term residents helped ensure consistent revenue while encouraging stronger community at properties.
Member discounts and long-stay incentives. Offering discounts to paid members and long-term residents helped ensure consistent revenue while encouraging stronger community at properties.
Researching a variety of online booking platforms helped me better understand the current landscape and identify important features to consider in my future designs.
Researching a variety of online booking platforms helped me better understand the current landscape and identify important features to consider in my future designs.
I interviewed frequent users of colivings to learn more about their motivations for choosing coliving and the challenges they face when discovering, researching, and staying at these properties.
I interviewed frequent users of colivings to learn more about their motivations for choosing coliving and the challenges they face when discovering, researching, and staying at these properties.
Conversations with coliving users highlighted several benefits of coliving, including affordable and flexible booking options, access to coworking spaces with reliable Wi-Fi, and opportunities for unique cultural experiences. Many users also valued the built-in community, which helped combat the social isolation often associated with remote work.
Conversations with coliving users highlighted several benefits of coliving, including affordable and flexible booking options, access to coworking spaces with reliable Wi-Fi, and opportunities for unique cultural experiences. Many users also valued the built-in community, which helped combat the social isolation often associated with remote work.
However, users also expressed frustrations with discovering, researching, and staying at coliving residences.
However, users also expressed frustrations with discovering, researching, and staying at coliving residences.
Frustrations with the Coliving Experience
Frustrations with the Coliving Experience
Coliving spaces can be difficult to search for and research, particularly for off-the-beaten-path locations. Many users rely on social media to discover and book colivings, but this comes with higher risk.
Coliving spaces can be difficult to search for and research, particularly for off-the-beaten-path locations. Many users rely on social media to discover and book colivings, but this comes with higher risk.
Properties often fail to include crucial details, such as the need for a rental car to explore the area or that the location is on a steep hill and difficult to access.
Properties often fail to include crucial details, such as the need for a rental car to explore the area or that the location is on a steep hill and difficult to access.
Coliving spaces are not always as advertised. Users shared that rooms often vary in quality, are not accurately depicted in photos, or fail to deliver on promises such as reliable Wi-Fi.
Coliving spaces are not always as advertised. Users shared that rooms often vary in quality, are not accurately depicted in photos, or fail to deliver on promises such as reliable Wi-Fi.
Some coliving spaces lack a strong social environment or sense of community, defeating the purpose for many remote workers and travelers who choose coliving.
Some coliving spaces lack a strong social environment or sense of community, defeating the purpose for many remote workers and travelers who choose coliving.
After completing competitive analyses and user research, it helped to condense my findings into a single, guiding question to anchor the design process and kickstart brainstorming.
After completing competitive analyses and user research, it helped to condense my findings into a single, guiding question to anchor the design process and kickstart brainstorming.
“How might we design a platform that connects coliving spaces with remote workers and travelers, enabling users to seamlessly discover, research, and book accommodations that aligns with their needs, preferences, and lifestyle?”
“How might we design a platform that connects coliving spaces with remote workers and travelers, enabling users to seamlessly discover, research, and book accommodations that aligns with their needs, preferences, and lifestyle?”
I also created two personas, one for a remote worker and one for a solo traveler, to ensure users’ goals and needs remained at the forefront of future design solutions.
I also created two personas, one for a remote worker and one for a solo traveler, to ensure users’ goals and needs remained at the forefront of future design solutions.
Persona 1: Remote worker
Persona 2: Solo traveler
design
Creating a site map for the new coliving booking platform, informed by insights gathered from user interviews.
Creating a site map for the new coliving booking platform, informed by insights gathered from user interviews.
Site map
I outlined three task flows to understand the different paths a user may take when using the platform.
I outlined three task flows to understand the different paths a user may take when using the platform.
Task flows
Using these task flows as a guide, I designed several pages to structure the website and highlight essential screens for user testing.
Using these task flows as a guide, I designed several pages to structure the website and highlight essential screens for user testing.
With mid-fidelity wireframes complete, I conducted user testing to validate design decisions and identify potential issues early in the design process, starting with the navigation structure.
With mid-fidelity wireframes complete, I conducted user testing to validate design decisions and identify potential issues early in the design process, starting with the navigation structure.
I conducted usability testing with five participants, all frequent users of colivings. The first focus of testing was the navigation structure, aiming to identify any areas that felt confusing or unclear.
I conducted usability testing with five participants, all frequent users of colivings. The first focus of testing was the navigation structure, aiming to identify any areas that felt confusing or unclear.
The initial navigation design featured two primary pages: ‘Co-livings’ and ‘Member’s Area.’ Participants shared that the design felt restrictive and suggested adding dropdown menus to offer more navigation options and improve overall efficiency.
The initial navigation design featured two primary pages: ‘Co-livings’ and ‘Member’s Area.’ Participants shared that the design felt restrictive and suggested adding dropdown menus to offer more navigation options and improve overall efficiency.
I added dropdown menus and updated the page names to better highlight the community aspect, clarify the purpose of each menu item, and improve overall page navigation.
I added dropdown menus and updated the page names to better highlight the community aspect, clarify the purpose of each menu item, and improve overall page navigation.
I asked users to walk through each of the three primary task flows to identify gaps, areas for improvement, and opportunities for clarification.
I asked users to walk through each of the three primary task flows to identify gaps, areas for improvement, and opportunities for clarification.
All five participants successfully completed the process of creating an account, booking a stay at a coliving, and viewing the location guide for a property. After completing all tasks, I asked participants to explore the home page and listing page and share any additional information that could enhance the website.
All five participants successfully completed the process of creating an account, booking a stay at a coliving, and viewing the location guide for a property. After completing all tasks, I asked participants to explore the home page and listing page and share any additional information that could enhance the website.
Below are the key user suggestions and corresponding updates:
Below are the key user suggestions and corresponding updates:
Adding additional search options to the home page. Users suggested adding more search options, as many are unsure of their destination but want a property that aligns with their interests and lifestyle. To expand search capabilities, I added a section allowing users to search for colivings based on the property type.
Adding additional search options to the home page. Users suggested adding more search options, as many are unsure of their destination but want a property that aligns with their interests and lifestyle. To expand search capabilities, I added a section allowing users to search for colivings based on the property type.
Adding additional destination details to the listing page. Users suggested adding important location information to help users be more informed before booking. To address this, I added new sections highlighting helpful information about the destination and a list of popular attractions.
Adding additional destination details to the listing page. Users suggested adding important location information to help users be more informed before booking. To address this, I added new sections highlighting helpful information about the destination and a list of popular attractions.
Adding the ability to see who else will overlap with your stay at the coliving. To promote community and encourage social interactions, I added a section to the reservation confirmation page allowing users to see who they’ll be sharing the coliving space with.
Adding the ability to see who else will overlap with your stay at the coliving. To promote community and encourage social interactions, I added a section to the reservation confirmation page allowing users to see who they’ll be sharing the coliving space with.
I incorporated user feedback, enhanced the visual design, and added imagery to finalize a high-fidelity prototype.
I incorporated user feedback, enhanced the visual design, and added imagery to finalize a high-fidelity prototype.
Designs were optimized for both desktop and mobile.
Designs were optimized for both desktop and mobile.
final thoughts
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Despite its growing popularity, finding and researching coliving spaces remains a challenge, as many are owned by small, independent operators and located in less mainstream areas.
Despite its growing popularity, finding and researching coliving spaces remains a challenge, as many are owned by small, independent operators and located in less mainstream areas.
This platform aims to bridge that gap by helping remote workers and travelers discover coliving spaces that meet their unique needs and lifestyles. At the same time, it provides property owners with a powerful tool to expand their reach and showcase their spaces to a global audience.
This platform aims to bridge that gap by helping remote workers and travelers discover coliving spaces that meet their unique needs and lifestyles. At the same time, it provides property owners with a powerful tool to expand their reach and showcase their spaces to a global audience.
Due to project time constraints, I prioritized developing the core features for the MVP. Below are a couple of features I set aside for future iterations.
Due to project time constraints, I prioritized developing the core features for the MVP. Below are a couple of features I set aside for future iterations.
Member’s only platform. To foster deeper connections and encourage more account sign ups, a member-exclusive platform will later be added to the website. This platform will include access to travel guides, perks and discounts, a community forum, and a member directory for connecting with other guests.
Member’s only platform. To foster deeper connections and encourage more account sign ups, a member-exclusive platform will later be added to the website. This platform will include access to travel guides, perks and discounts, a community forum, and a member directory for connecting with other guests.
Messaging platform. This feature will promote community engagement and enable users to share travel tips and coliving recommendations.
Messaging platform. This feature will promote community engagement and enable users to share travel tips and coliving recommendations.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Challenges and Lessons Learned
The importance of asking specific, targeted questions to uncover true user motivations and needs. Usability testing goes beyond simply observing users complete tasks; it requires deeper inquiry, such as asking why they took certain actions or what they expected to happen. These in-depth questions help reveal users’ true needs, leading to more informed design decisions and a better overall product.
The importance of asking specific, targeted questions to uncover true user motivations and needs. Usability testing goes beyond simply observing users complete tasks; it requires deeper inquiry, such as asking why they took certain actions or what they expected to happen. These in-depth questions help reveal users’ true needs, leading to more informed design decisions and a better overall product.
Time constraints lead to tradeoffs in design, and it helps to create a prioritized list of features to ensure the core features are developed and an MVP can be delivered within the specified timeline.
Time constraints lead to tradeoffs in design, and it helps to create a prioritized list of features to ensure the core features are developed and an MVP can be delivered within the specified timeline.
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