I was responsible for designing a cohesive and intuitive interface for both the mobile app and the website, ensuring users could easily navigate and access Estate's services. Additionally, I developed promotional content to boost user engagement and service provider onboarding.
Role
UI/UX Designer, Advertisements Designer
Deliverables
Complete design of the mobile app, website (desktop and mobile versions), and promotional content
Tools
Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects
Timeline
~ Six months
Objective
Estate is a comprehensive property management platform designed to simplify homeownership. Based in New York, USA, Estate helps homeowners manage their to-do lists by centralizing services for recurring and one-time tasks. From lawn care and gutter cleaning to custom backyard designs and power line burying, the platform provides an end-to-end solution for stress-free home maintenance. My role was to design a seamless service experience for the Estate mobile app, website, and promotional content.
The Challenge
Owning a home comes with a myriad of responsibilities, from regular upkeep to unexpected repairs. Key challenges faced by homeowners include:
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Service Coordination: Managing multiple service providers for various tasks is time-consuming and stressful.
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Inconsistent Quality: Homeowners often struggle to find reliable service providers they can trust.
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Non-Digital Payments: Many services still rely on cash payments, making tracking and managing expenses inconvenient.
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Fragmented Solutions: The lack of a unified platform forces homeowners to juggle multiple apps or rely on word-of-mouth recommendations.
Estate aimed to resolve these pain points by offering a streamlined, trusted, and centralized solution for home services.
The Solution
Estate provides a user-friendly platform where homeowners can easily book, manage, and pay for home services. Key features include:
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All-in-One Service Platform: Centralizes both recurring services (e.g., lawn care, power washing) and one-time projects (e.g., backyard design, gutter repair).
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Reliable Service Providers: Curates a trusted network of professionals, ensuring consistent quality and reliability.
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Digital Payments: Simplifies payments with a secure, cashless system, allowing users to track and manage expenses effortlessly.
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Recurring Service Scheduling: Offers automated scheduling and reminders for regular maintenance tasks.
By combining convenience, trust, and digital tools, Estate delivers a superior property management experience.
Design Process
1. Research & Discovery
To create a user-centred design, I conducted research focused on homeowners and service providers. This included:
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User Interviews: Conversations with homeowners revealed their primary frustrations with home service management.
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Service Provider Input: Insights from local businesses highlighted the need for a digital platform to manage client interactions and payments.
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Competitor Analysis: Studied existing home service platforms to identify gaps and opportunities for differentiation.
Key takeaways:
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Users desired a simple, intuitive interface for booking and managing services.
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Trust and reliability were critical factors in selecting service providers.
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A secure, cashless payment system was a top priority for both users and providers.
2. Information Architecture & Wireframing
Using the research insights, I developed a streamlined information architecture to organize the platform’s features effectively. Wireframes focused on:
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Service Discovery: A clean and intuitive layout for browsing and selecting services.
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Booking Flow: A step-by-step process for scheduling and managing services.
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Payment System: An easy-to-use interface for making secure digital payments.
3. Visual Design & Prototyping
High-fidelity prototypes were created in Figma, with a focus on:
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Modern Aesthetics: A clean, minimalistic design that emphasized ease of use.
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Trust-Building Elements: Incorporating testimonials, provider ratings, and secure payment badges to build user confidence.
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Consistent Branding: A cohesive color palette and typography were used to reinforce Estate’s professional and reliable image.
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Responsive Design: Ensuring the platform worked seamlessly across devices, from desktops to mobile phones.
4. Testing & Iteration
User testing sessions were conducted to gather feedback on usability and design. Iterative improvements included:
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Simplifying the booking process by reducing the number of steps.
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Enhancing the visual hierarchy to make key features more prominent.
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Optimizing the mobile experience for faster navigation and load times.
1. Service Selection:
Users browse a curated list of services based on their location and requirements.
2. Provider Matching:
Estate connects users with trusted service providers, offering reviews and ratings for informed decision-making.
3. Booking & Scheduling:
Users can schedule recurring or one-time services with just a few taps.
4. Cashless Payments:
Secure digital payments streamline transactions and simplify record-keeping.
Key App Features: User Journey
Results and Impact
The Estate platform delivered significant improvements in home service management:
Simplified User Experience
Homeowners reported a 40% reduction in the time spent managing their to-do lists.
Increased Trust
Positive user feedback highlighted the reliability and professionalism of service providers.
Digital Transformation
Small businesses adopted the platform to modernize their operations and improve client interactions.
Reflections
Designing for Estate allowed me to address real-world challenges faced by homeowners and service providers. It underscored the importance of trust, simplicity, and convenience in building a successful service platform. The experience sharpened my skills in responsive design, user research, and crafting intuitive digital experiences. I look forward to applying these insights to future projects.