Resideo360
A cutting-edge real-estate marketplace that redesigns how users explore property listings using augmented reality
Duration
8 weeks
Role
UX/UI Design
User Researcher
Figma, Whimsical
Tools
Despite a plethora of house-hunting resources online, it can be challenging to tour properties when buyers are not located in the city they are searching for. This leads to skepticism about the accuracy of online property listings and thus hesitation to purchase without physically viewing the space.
Introduction
Resideo360 is an innovative real-estate marketplace that enables users to take immersive virtual tours of properties using augmented reality technology. All sellers are required to upload a 360 virtual tour of their property to improve transparency and streamline communication between themselves and buyers.
Solution
Overview
Problem
How to help users make informed decisions when searching for a new place to live without having to physically visit the desired location?
Goal
Design an end-to-end iOS app that reduces skepticism in property listings while users search for a new place to live.
Research
Competitive Analysis
To understand and empathize with the user’s needs, it was crucial to then analyze the competitors in the real-estate marketplace industry and gain a holistic understanding of the internal and external environment. I decided to assess the following competitors for their prominence and success in the industry: Zillow, Craigslist, Apartments.com and StreetEasy. Key takeaways revealed that these competitors offered user-friendly interfaces while highlighting untapped potential for expansion into new states and countries.
User Interviews
I conducted five remote interviews with individuals who recently moved to a new city or who are in the process of searching for a new place to live to understand their behaviors, needs, and pain points. Key insights include general skepticism toward property listings and a sense of lacking control in the search process when the user is not yet present in the area.
Can you describe how you felt overall throughout the search process?
“Generally stressful. You have to be prepared to make compromises and take a leap of faith. It was hard knowing the decision I’d make wouldn’t be the best decision. It never felt like a fully informed decision.” —Emma, 24
What was most challenging about finding a new place to live?
“Not living in this area during the search process and having to put a lot of trust in the internet. I felt out of control.” —Ally, 22
What was most helpful for you during the search process?
“Having someone familiar with the area and who was able to tour the apartments in person. It was nice to have his feedback in real time and give us a feel for the apartment as if we were there in person with him.” —Zach, 23
Prioritization Matrix
I chose to create a prioritization matrix to streamline the product’s development and feature implementation process. By evaluating potential features or improvements based on criteria such as impact and effort, this matrix helped me identify quick wins, major projects, fill-ins, and low-priority items. In future iterations, I will focus on developing the integrated chat tool for real-time assistance as this is a feature that is highly feasible and impactful.
Project Details
Site Maps
The site maps below created in Whimsical for desktop and mobile screens organize the various content pages within Resideo360 and showcases the connections between each, including the homepage, the rent page, the buy page, the sell page, the profile/login page and the 404 / 500 page.
Desktop Site Map
Mobile Site Map
User Flow
User Personas
Wireframes
Focused on addressing the common challenges of remote property exploration, these wireframes outline the fundamental structure and flow of the application. By offering a simplified representation of key features, such as immersive 360-virtual tours, the lo-fidelity wireframes serve as a strategic guide for the app's design, emphasizing user experience and functionality.
Lo-Fi Wireframes
The hi-fidelity wireframes intricately detail the visual and interactive aspects of the app. These wireframes bring to life the immersive virtual tour experience, showcasing the augmented reality technology that sets Resideo360 apart in the real estate marketplace. The design precision at this stage not only emphasizes the app's commitment to transparency but also aligns with its mission to bridge the gap between distant buyers and the properties they aspire to own, enhancing overall user confidence in online property transactions.
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Visual Design & Branding
Color Palette
Typography
Logo
UI Component Set
Usability Testing
I enlisted five potential users for Resideo360 for usability testing with the aim of assessing usability ratings, identifying common pain points, and gathering suggestions for enhancement.
Results
Users preferred an option to subscribe on the landing page rather than a sign in pop-up screen.
Average usability rating of 4.4 out of 5.
The majority of users found the app’s interface intuitive and easy to use.
Priority Revisions
In response to the usability testing results, I prioritized the revision of the subscribe option for Resideo360. I relocated the subscribe option to the end of the homepage, eliminating the need for a separate pop-up page during the sign-in process. This adjustment serves to enhance the user experience by integrating the subscription feature.
Original
Revision #1
Final Prototype
Next Steps
The introduction of Resideo360 marks a shift in the way users engage with property listings, ushering in a new era of immersive exploration through augmented reality and 360 video tours. Users can now visualize potential homes in their real-world context, gaining a more authentic and intuitive understanding of the space, from the comfort of their own home. The enriched information and immersive features create a dynamic and engaging platform that transcends the limitations of conventional property search methods.
Reflection
Reflecting on this project, the journey from concept to execution has been a rich learning experience that has significantly shaped my perspective as a designer. The challenge of creating an innovative real estate marketplace centered around immersive virtual tours demanded a holistic approach to design thinking. One of the key lessons learned was the importance of user-centric design. Designing an interface that seamlessly integrates augmented reality required a deep understanding of both the buyers' and sellers' perspectives. This involved empathizing with the concerns of distant buyers and addressing the transparency issues in online property listings. This project's success will undoubtedly influence my future work, emphasizing the importance of innovative and user-centered design principles.