RUM8
Discover safe, straightforward, and convenient housing or roommates.
Product Design
Housing/Accommodations
RUM8
Discover safe, straightforward, and convenient housing or roommates.
Product Design
Housing/Accommodations
Tools Used
Tools Used
Tools Used
Project Duration
Project Duration
Project Duration
4 Week Sprint
Role
Role
Role
Lead UX/UI Designer
(Team of Five)
Project Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
Millions of American's live in non family related shared households. Not all of those partnerships end happily. With safety concerns and
Opportunity
Opportunity
Create a community app that allows young professionals and college students to find roommates that they feel will be a safe, compatible match.
Goal
Goal
How might we ground our findings on quantitative and qualitative research to provide safe accommodations for users.
Role & Responsibilities
Role & Responsibilities
Role & Responsibilities
Conducting User Interviews, Competitor Analysis, ideation mapping, medium-fidelity wire-framing, High Fidelity prototyping, usability testing, interaction design.
What is safe? And how do we measure what that means?
What is safe? And how do we measure what that means?
What is safe? And how do we measure what that means?
As a team, we initially defined safety through criteria such as background checks, proof of income, and references. However, upon reflection, we realized that our assumptions lacked a solid foundation. Our focus shifted towards understanding what aspects individuals truly value in a secure living environment. This prompted us to consider the experiences of the millions of Americans residing in shared households and whether they felt secure with their living arrangements.
So we got to work…
So we got to work…
We started with remote user interviews to gain deeper insights into participants' motivations for seeking roommates, their experiences, and lessons learned.
We started with remote user interviews to gain deeper insights into participants' motivations for seeking roommates, their experiences, and lessons learned.
We sat down via zoom with 5 participants who are currently living in a shared household or have been roommates in the past 6-8 months
We sat down via zoom with 5 participants who are currently living in a shared household or have been roommates in the past 6-8 months
We sat down via zoom with 5 participants who are currently living in a shared household or have been roommates in the past 6-8 months
We sat down via zoom with 5 participants who are currently living in a shared household or have been roommates in the past 6-8 months
Roommates
Investigating the reasons why young professionals or college students seek roommates.
Accommodations
Determine the housing requirements of users based on their employment status or accessibility needs.
Experience
Evaluate their past experience in finding roommates and delve into the reasoning that influences people's decisions when selecting a roommate.
Roommates
Investigating the reasons why young professionals or college students seek roommates.
Accommodations
Determine the housing requirements of users based on their employment status or accessibility needs.
Experience
Evaluate their past experience in finding roommates and delve into the reasoning that influences people's decisions when selecting a roommate.
We also performed a survey through Google Forms to gauge what mattered to our audience when looking for a roommate, housing, and compatibility.
We also performed a survey through Google Forms to gauge what mattered to our audience when looking for a roommate, housing, and compatibility.
We also performed a survey through Google Forms to gauge what mattered to our audience when looking for a roommate, housing, and compatibility.
Roommates
Investigating the reasons why young professionals or college students seek roommates.
Accommodations
Determine the housing requirements of users based on their employment status or accessibility needs.
Experience
Evaluate their past experience in finding roommates and delve into the reasoning that influences people's decisions when selecting a roommate.
Roommates
Investigating the reasons why young professionals or college students seek roommates.
Accommodations
Determine the housing requirements of users based on their employment status or accessibility needs.
Experience
Evaluate their past experience in finding roommates and delve into the reasoning that influences people's decisions when selecting a roommate.
Roommates
Investigating the reasons why young professionals or college students seek roommates.
Accommodations
Determine the housing requirements of users based on their employment status or accessibility needs.
Experience
Evaluate their past experience in finding roommates and delve into the reasoning that influences people's decisions when selecting a roommate.
We used our data to start forming our assumptions
We used our data to start forming our assumptions
Using Affinity Diagramming we analyzed our qualitative data
Using Affinity Diagramming we analyzed our qualitative data
Upon categorizing the experiences of participants residing in shared households, a consensus emerged. When seeking a roommate, individuals prioritize a swift and dependable means to save money while ensuring a comfortable living environment.
Upon categorizing the experiences of participants residing in shared households, a consensus emerged. When seeking a roommate, individuals prioritize a swift and dependable means to save money while ensuring a comfortable living environment.
User Interview Key Findings
User Interview Key Findings
Wants to be comfortable
Money was a big issue
I don't like drama
Finding a roommate takes forever
Finding a roommate
takes forever
Chores always fell on me
Roommate was recommended
Roommate was
recommended
I've had disaster stories
Replacement roommate was lovely
Replacement roommate
was lovely
We don't talk anymore
Wants open communication
Wants open
communication
We need to have similar schedules
We need to have similar
schedules
Ad's creep me out
User Insight
User Insight
Before making additional assumptions we wanted to determine what are competitors were doing well and what we could improve on.
Before making additional assumptions we wanted to determine what are competitors were doing well and what we could improve on.
Before making additional assumptions we wanted to determine what are competitors were doing well and what we could improve on.
Lots were pay-to-use, some didn't have Identity Checks, and half didn't offer easy navigation.
Lots were pay-to-use, some didn't have Identity Checks, and half didn't offer easy navigation.
We then started the assumption making process
We then started the assumption making process
We then started the assumption making process
Based on our data we made assumptions to define our user and their goal.
Based on our data we made assumptions to define our user and their goal.
Based on our data we made assumptions to define our user and their goal.
We also used our findings to make some assumptions on our value proposition and problem statement. This helped us throughout our ideation phase to pinpoint our features and design decisions and keeping us grounded without going feature crazy.
We also used our findings to make some assumptions on our value proposition and problem statement. This helped us throughout our ideation phase to pinpoint our features and design decisions and keeping us grounded without going feature crazy.
We also used our findings to make some assumptions on our value proposition and problem statement. This helped us throughout our ideation phase to pinpoint our features and design decisions and keeping us grounded without going feature crazy.
Problem Statement
Rum8 was founded with the purpose of offering a platform for individuals seeking to avoid unfavorable roommate experiences.
It became apparent that young professionals and recent college graduates often faced challenges in securing compatible roommates.
How might we effectively launch rum8 to enhance user satisfaction, elevate user registrations, and implement geospatial tracking to inform future marketing strategies?
Value Proposition
Skip the classified ads and connect with your perfect roommate.
There's no place like home with RUM8
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Rum8 was founded with the purpose of offering a platform for individuals seeking to avoid unfavorable roommate experiences.
It became apparent that young professionals and recent college graduates often faced challenges in securing compatible roommates.
How might we effectively launch rum8 to enhance user satisfaction, elevate user registrations, and implement geospatial tracking to inform future marketing strategies?
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
Skip the classified ads and connect with your perfect roommate.
There's no place like home with RUM8
Skip the classified ads and connect with your perfect roommate.
There's no place like home with RUM8
Ideation
We Used Rapid Brainstorming, 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to start
With our assumptions in hand we began to use the "I Like, I Wish, What If" Method to begin mapping out our key features we wanted to design.
Ideation
Ideation
We Used Rapid Brainstorming, 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to start
We Used Rapid Brainstorming, 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to start
With our assumptions in hand we began to use the "I Like, I Wish, What If" Method to begin mapping out our key features we wanted to design.
After dot voting and using a 2x2 Prioritization matrix we landed on three features.
After dot voting and using a 2x2 Prioritization matrix we landed on three features.
ID Check
Verify identities for safer interactions with users and to increase the potential for more matches.
Profile Matching
Connect users with similar preferences by matching them based on their preference tags.
Budget
Review household budgets through the app with individual trackers for each roommate.
ID Check
Verify identities for safer interactions with users and to increase the potential for more matches.
Profile Matching
Connect users with similar preferences by matching them based on their preference tags.
Budget
Review household budgets through the app with individual trackers for each roommate.
ID Check
Verify identities for safer interactions with users and to increase the potential for more matches.
Profile Matching
Connect users with similar preferences by matching them based on their preference tags.
Budget
Review household budgets through the app with individual trackers for each roommate.
Identifying our flow…
Identifying our flow…
Identifying our flow…
We moved onto deciding what the users flow would be as well as the new information architecture of LCH.
We moved onto deciding what the users flow would be as well as the new information architecture of LCH.
We moved onto deciding what the users flow would be as well as the new information architecture of LCH.
There was new pages being added and other pages that could be divided for the sake of user ease and function. Including dividing up the tips and tricks on the original adopt page and updating the adopt page to have actual pets avaiable.
There was new pages being added and other pages that could be divided for the sake of user ease and function. Including dividing up the tips and tricks on the original adopt page and updating the adopt page to have actual pets avaiable.
There was new pages being added and other pages that could be divided for the sake of user ease and function. Including dividing up the tips and tricks on the original adopt page and updating the adopt page to have actual pets avaiable.
Focusing on Low Fidelity Wireframes we started mapping out where and what our app would look like.
Focusing on Low Fidelity Wireframes we started mapping out where and what our app would look like.
Focusing on Low Fidelity Wireframes we started mapping out where and what our app would look like.
We wanted to provide an onboarding section since there was the Identity Check and a nice tutorial we could provide for users but wanted most of the apps other functions of profiles and budgeting to have most of the resources applied to it.
We wanted to provide an onboarding section since there was the Identity Check and a nice tutorial we could provide for users but wanted most of the apps other functions of profiles and budgeting to have most of the resources applied to it.
We wanted to provide an onboarding section since there was the Identity Check and a nice tutorial we could provide for users but wanted most of the apps other functions of profiles and budgeting to have most of the resources applied to it.
To test or not to test…
To test or not to test…
To test or not to test…
We decided to perform user testing on the low fidelity wireframes primarily to ensure we were somewhat on the right track with our wireframes before building our full mockups.
We decided to perform user testing on the low fidelity wireframes primarily to ensure we were somewhat on the right track with our wireframes before building our full mockups.
We decided to perform user testing on the low fidelity wireframes primarily to ensure we were somewhat on the right track with our wireframes before building our full mockups.
We also had a few other objectives in mind during our testing so we performed remote moderated testing on our mobile app and the objectives include:
We also had a few other objectives in mind during our testing so we performed remote moderated testing on our mobile app and the objectives include:
We also had a few other objectives in mind during our testing so we performed remote moderated testing on our mobile app and the objectives include:
Time
Evaluate the duration it took to complete the profile and verify their account.
Compatibility
Examine how users assessed the compatibility of their matches by evaluating their own profiles that they had created.
Difficulty
Assess the level of difficulty experienced by users while navigating and adding items to the Budget tab.
Time
Evaluate the duration it took to complete the profile and verify their account.
Compatibility
Examine how users assessed the compatibility of their matches by evaluating their own profiles that they had created.
Difficulty
Assess the level of difficulty experienced by users while navigating and adding items to the Budget tab.
Time
Evaluate the duration it took to complete the profile and verify their account.
Compatibility
Examine how users assessed the compatibility of their matches by evaluating their own profiles that they had created.
Difficulty
Assess the level of difficulty experienced by users while navigating and adding items to the Budget tab.
Our key findings included changes in our interaction design, copy, and adding an Auto-split feature on the budget tab
Many participants mentioned it would just be easier to go 50/50 with the roommate on household expenses.
Our key findings included changes in our interaction design, copy, and adding an Auto-split feature on the budget tab
Our key findings included changes in our interaction design, copy, and adding an Auto-split feature on the budget tab
Many participants mentioned it would just be easier to go 50/50 with the roommate on household expenses.
Circling back we began finalizing our prototype
Circling back we began finalizing our prototype
Circling back we began finalizing our prototype
By incorporating color schemes and images from our style tile into our wireframes, we successfully completed the finalization of our mockups and prepared them for the next phase.
By incorporating color schemes and images from our style tile into our wireframes, we successfully completed the finalization of our mockups and prepared them for the next phase.
By incorporating color schemes and images from our style tile into our wireframes, we successfully completed the finalization of our mockups and prepared them for the next phase.
We were excited to move onto Phase two.
We were excited to move onto Phase two.
We were excited to move onto Phase two.
Style Tile
Style Tile
We opted for the color orange due to its association with optimism, upliftment, and rejuvenation of the spirit in color psychology. Positive connotations linked with orange include warmth and security.
We opted for the color orange due to its association with optimism, upliftment, and rejuvenation of the spirit in color psychology. Positive connotations linked with orange include warmth and security.
Conversely, charcoal is commonly linked with clean, minimalist design. In addition, Our illustrations were crafted to evoke a sense of fun, inclusivity, and foster connection.
We made sure to check the color palette with WCAG Guidelines
We made sure to check the color palette with WCAG Guidelines
We made sure to check the color palette with WCAG Guidelines
We made sure to check the color palette with WCAG Guidelines
Both our main and primary colors passed so we moved ahead into our prototyping phase.
Both our main and primary colors passed so we moved ahead into our prototyping phase.
Both our main and primary colors passed so we moved ahead into our prototyping phase.
Black on Primary Color
White on Secondary Color
Onboarding
Identity Check
Enable Location Services
Learn RUM8 Basics
View Profiles
Match with Users
View Profiles & Properties
Message Once Matched
Budget Tab
View Household Budget
Add New Items
Autosplit
We then began iterating on our wireframes to create our High Fidelity Mockups
We then began iterating on our wireframes to create our High Fidelity Mockups
We then began iterating on our wireframes to create our High Fidelity Mockups
We then began iterating on our wireframes to create our High Fidelity Mockups
We used Kasey as a our mock profile and added other profiles and properties she could interact with. Finally, after connecting with Katie they agree to be roommates and Kasey is able to view her household budget and add a new item to autosplit with Katie.
We used Kasey as a our mock profile and added other profiles and properties she could interact with. Finally, after connecting with Katie they agree to be roommates and Kasey is able to view her household budget and add a new item to autosplit with Katie.
We used Kasey as a our mock profile and added other profiles and properties she could interact with. Finally, after connecting with Katie they agree to be roommates and Kasey is able to view her household budget and add a new item to autosplit with Katie.
Onboarding
Onboarding
Identity Check
Identity Check
Enable Location Services
Enable Location Services
Learn RUM8 Basics
Learn RUM8 Basics
View Profiles
Match with Users
View Profiles & Properties
Message Once Matched
Budget Tab
View Household Budget
Add New Items
Autosplit
View Profiles
Match with Users
View Profiles & Properties
Message Once Matched
Budget Tab
View Household Budget
Add New Items
Autosplit
With our first iteration of RUM8 complete we move onto next steps
With our first iteration of RUM8 complete we move onto next steps
With our first iteration of RUM8 complete we move onto next steps
We have some future states we want to implement:
We have some future states we want to implement:
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
With our first iteration of RUM8 complete we move onto next steps
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
Compatibility algorithm
Start collaborating with the backend team to generate ideas for algorithms.
A/B Testing Profile cards
Conduct A/B Testing on the interaction when users swipe left or right on a profile.
Roommate Confirmations
Provide a roommate agreement to establish expectations and boundaries effectively.
