HOMII
Moving to San Francisco can be an exhilarating experience, but finding the right place to live and compatible roommates can turn into a daunting challenge. As someone who was on this journey and heard countless tales from fellow students, I took the opportunity to work on creating a roommate-finding app in San Francisco that caters specifically to students and young adults who flock to San Francisco for internships, college, or work, all in pursuit of their dreams, despite the soaring rental costs.
Overview
Phase 1: Discovery & Research
I conducted secondary research and competitive analysis to understand the market for existing roommate applications in San Francsico. Additionally, conducted primary research to validate my secondary research: Surveyed my target audience and interviewed two experts.
Phase 2: Design, Test & Iterate
Translated research findings into practical design solutions. Utilized Figma to create wireframes and prototypes. Conducted usability tests to gather user feedback and iteratively refined designs to optimize user experience.
Secondary Research
Literature review summary
Numbeo (2023) reported that the cost of living in San Francisco is fifth in the nation.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2017), young adults between 18 and 24 (often students or recent graduates) are most likely to seek roommates.
Nearly 44% of Bay Area renters are categorised as "Roommates by Necessity" (Taylor, 2022), underscoring the potential user base of young adults aged 18-24 for the proposed application.
The San Francisco Housing Needs and Trends Survey (2018) reported that roommates, who constitute 43% of renters, relied on internet resources for their housing needs.
Primary Research
Survey
Respondents: 40
Demographic: 18-24yr olds in San Francisco
Platform: Qualtrics
Recruiting Methods: Social Media
Survey Information
Primary Goals
Validate Secondary Research
To understand participants means of finding roommates
To understand participant preferences and factors when looking for a roommate.
Expert Interviews
Expert Interviewee: Prof. Ashmi
Expertise: Communication and Conflict Resolution
Expert Interviewee: Ms. Nicole
Expertise: Clinical Counsellor, specialising in life transitions and adjustment
Interview Takeaways
Establish Clear Expectations: Clearly defining expectations regarding chores, shared responsibilities, and personal space helps prevent misunderstandings.
Create a Roommate Agreement: Drafting a roommate agreement that outlines expectations, responsibilities, and guidelines for conflict resolution can serve as a useful reference point.
Regular Check-Ins: Periodic check-ins provide roommates with the opportunity to discuss any emerging issues, air grievances, and make adjustments to living arrangements.
Personas
Journey Map
Participants: 5
Card sort type: Hybrid
Platform: Optimal Sort
Card Sort Summary
Methods :
Presented participants with 35 different cards and asked them to group them in categories of their choice. One definite category named “ Dealbreakers” was provided.
Goal of Card Sort:
Understand the hierarchy of user preferences. The insights from this card sort would inform choices for information architecture.
Design Drivers
Prioritising roommate relationship
Current roommate search apps primarily focus on connecting users to people with existing spaces. This fails to address the growing need for individuals who prioritise finding a compatible roommate before embarking on an apartment search together.
Search and browse experience
Ratings and reviews on competitor apps indicate users are unhappy with search results. Listings don’t show enough information about the roommates themselves, certain important filters are missing, sort functions are limited.
Non-Negotiable factors in Roommate Assessment
People may be compatible on many aspects — but there might be some factors that would be deal breakers, no matter how much they match overall. For example, people who are allergic to pets wouldn’t want to live with someone who owns pets.
Compatibility
Common sources of tension in roommate relationships include cleanliness standards, food sharing, noise levels, and overnight guests. On the other hand, some people seek not just a roommate, but also a friend in their living situation.
Design Development
Goal 1 :
to enable the user to find a roommate for an existing space.
Goal 2:
to enable them to find a roommate without an existing place so that they can do a joint apartment search. flexibility to prioritize compatibility.
Design Idea - Change in Direction
Challenge:
Goal 1 users likely have a stricter timeline for finding a roommate, while Goal 2 users have more flexibility to prioritize compatibility. These contrasting needs translate to different design approaches for displaying search results, profiles, and filters.
Refined Idea:
Decided to refine the concept and cater to a very specific audience: young adults in San Francisco who are looking for compatible roommates to be able to find an apartment together.
Wireframes
Usability Testing Goals
What information do users prioritise on profile cards?
Which user preferences can be filtered?
How to streamline the process of onboarding without making it feel too long and cumbersome for the user?
Brand Identity
Design Rationale- Name and Logo
Pronunciation and Memorability: "Homii" is easy to pronounce and remember, making it a catchy and user-friendly name. Its simplicity can enhance word-of-mouth marketing and increase brand recognition.
Personal Connection: The term "homii" is often used colloquially to refer to close friends or companions, creating an immediate association with the concept of living together and fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among users of the app.
Design Rationale- Logo Typeface
The font, Co Headline was specifically chosen for its rounded shapes, which visually create a human-like form. The logo uses two lowercase “i”s to represent two individuals. To further emphasize the concept of two people, the letters are distinguished by color and incorporate subtle smile strokes on the dots. These design elements reinforce the message of connection between the two individuals.
Design Rationale- Logo Typeface
These keywords were the result of good and bad experiences in shared accommodation environments. To turn these negative feelings into positive ones I chose to work with a Blue and Yellow color palette.
