DOORWAY
Mobile App Design
Timeline
2 weeks
(40 hours)
Role
App Designer
(Solo)
Tools
Figma. Photoshop, MidJourney
Tasks
User Research, UX/UI Design,
NYC Apt Hunt: The Struggle is Real
Prominent Call to Action (CTA):Apartment searching in NYC is overwhelming, with users spending 2+ hours weekly and 63% feeling frustrated.
From Frustration to "Finally"
Doorway offers a personalized apartment search through a machine-learning filter, akin to dating app functionality.
What NYC Renters Tell Us
Interviewing 10 New Yorkers provided valuable insight into their wants and needs.
Top Priorities: Price, location, unit size.
Visual Content: High-quality photos, videos, and AR/VR tours are critical.
Desired Features: Searches by "special" amenities (e.g., pet-friendly, natural light), mandatory high-resolution visuals, and preference-based filter systems.
From Ideas to Interactive Experiences
See my design process unfold, from initial sketches to high-fidelity wireframes.
Usability Insights: Enhancing Visual Appeal
During usability testing, the intuitive nature of Doorway shone through, yet it was the detailed feedback on feature functionality that provided invaluable insights for improvement:
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Users found the innovative search filter and AI-suggested listings beneficial but indicated a need for more precise navigation cues and interactive guidance.
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The Explore/My toggle, while appreciated for its concept, was often overlooked; participants suggested enhancing visibility and interaction feedback to ensure no feature goes unnoticed.
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Mixed feedback on the app's layout and functionality, such as the effectiveness of the progress bar when viewing listings and the perceived tone created by so many rounded edges in UI elements, pointed towards a broader request for a more streamlined and user-friendly interface.
Design Iterations
Bringing Doorway to Life: V2 App Screens
Explore the app's polished design and user-friendly interface.
Design Learnings: Function & Feeling
This project highlighted that a great user experience goes beyond just working well. It should also feel good to use! I aimed to match the target audience's modern style while creating an efficient app—every choice aimed for that luxurious feel, from the dating app inspiration to the color scheme.
However, user testing showed areas for improvement in the visual design. While users loved the functionality (100% success rate), some color choices and buttons needed tweaking. It's a designer's job to be flexible and adapt based on user feedback, and that's exactly what I'll do to make Doorway even better.
Prototype
