NEST
YEAR
2024
DURATION
5 weeks
ROLE
UX design, UI Design, Research, Branding
Nest is a B2C app for finding sublets and shared housing, designed to cut the frustration and wasted time, so users can focus on finding the perfect place with ease.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
As part of our studies, we created Nest to solve a challenge many friends around our age were facing- finding shared apartments. Being part of that audience helped us gather real insights quickly.
Problem discovery
The Stress and Disorganized Process of Finding Apartments
Finding a sublet or shared apartment is frustrating and stressful. Users juggle platforms, poor communication, and no easy way to schedule viewings- often settling for less just to end the exhausting search.
Exploration
How Might We Help Renters Overcome Frustrations in Finding Their Home?
We interviewed students and young adults to learn what makes the search for shared housing so frustrating. Alongside that, we explored competing platforms to better understand what's missing.
Solution
Framing the Process with a Clear Scope
We built a platform that makes it easy to find and finalize a sublet or shared apartment—all in one place, with built-in messaging, scheduling, and zero need to jump between platforms.
Scope
Framing the Process with a Clear Scope
We structured the design process into four clear phases: Research, Wireframing, UX & Branding, and UI. This helped us stay focused on solving real user problems without losing direction.
1
Research and Discovery
Briefing
Competitor Anaclasis
Quantitative survey
User Personas
2
Ideation and Wireframing
Brainstorming
App Structure
Draft Wireframes
Prototype
3
UX & Branding
References
Logo
Visual Vision
Color Palate
4
UI Design
Aesthetics
Mockups
Final Prototype
One Pager Design
Analyzing Market & Competition
Why Current Platforms Don’t Fully Solve the Problem
Most platforms only cover parts of the housing journey. Facebook is too general, Airbnb and Booking.com focus on vacations, and Yad2 lacks tools for shared living like in-app chat and scheduling. None fully support the needs of renters seeking flexible, shared housing.
Quantitative Research
Users Want Simplicity, Reliability, and Better Communication
We surveyed 60 people, mostly young renters, to understand their habits and pain points. 70% search on mobile, and 80% check housing platforms daily- clear signs that housing is a high-frequency, high-frustration process.
From 60 participants answering 20 questions each,
we identified four main insights that stand out.
Chaotic Platforms
Users rely on Facebook, but its broad focus makes it disorganized for housing searches.
Desired Features
Listings with photos and easy search filters are users' top priorities.
Unreliable Listing
Unreliable listings and poor communication create frustration for users.
Roommate Profiles
Meeting and reviewing potential roommates' profiles is highly valued.
Personas
Research Data & Insights into User Personas
We combined the key needs and goals of our users into two main personas, ensuring they guided our design process. This approach helped us identify the minimum functional requirements for the product.
User Flow
Three Users, One Flow
We designed flows for three main users: renters seeking sublets or shared apartments, and landlords listing properties. While most features solve pain points for renters, we also made it easy for landlords to post and manage listings.
Skeleton
Laying the Foundation
Before jumping into visuals, we mapped the core experience with 12 wireframes- defining the structure, flow, and features that matter most to users.
Main Features
Key Features That Solve User Challenges
The app’s main features were thoughtfully designed to tackle user frustrations and create a smoother, more reliable housing search experience.
In-app chat for communication
Users can message landlords or potential roommates without switching apps.
User Reviews for Trust and Transparency
Reviews from other users make it easier to know who you’re dealing with.
Meetings & Booking Calendar
Users can pick a time to visit the apartment directly in the app- no endless messaging.
Sublet Booking & Payment
Once a place feels right, users can book and pay without leaving the platform.
Interface Design
High-Fidelity UI: Function Meets Design
These high-fidelity screens translate the core experience into a clean, usable interface that supports real user needs.
Onboarding
Location Preferences
smart filtters
Empty Chat State
Search Filters
Apartment Details
Pick a Visit Time
Sublet Confirmed
UI Kit
The Visual Language of Nest
A collection of buttons, colors, type, and components- built to keep everything clear, consistent, and easy to use.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s tough to stand out in such a competitive and crowded market. Focusing on the right features helped me stay on track. If I had more time, I’d dive deeper into users’ emotional needs to strengthen the experience even more.
