About Catalyst Designathon: Running from 7PM March 24th until 12PM March 26th, Catalyst Designathon had three tracks: Cultural, Travel, and Co-Existence. Our idea fell under the third category, because it involved the co-habitation of people across cities.
As three female college students in NYC, we noticed our peer’s struggle finding short-term leases especially when universities do not offer them during breaks. Subleasing is commonly done over social media which can pose risks of people backing out or not paying their rent, leading to feelings of anxiety and financial difficulties. We wondered could there be an easier and safer process of finding a sublease?
1. Surveying
2. Interviewing
3. Competitive Analysis
Because there is no formal data on subleasing in major cities, we started by conducting our own research through surveys and interviews. To maximize research efficiency, we sent out our surveys through social media which contained uniform questions which allowed us to easily gather quantitative data.
It was important for us to analyze not only the user interface of these apps, but also the price-points in which apartments were being listed.
After interviewing the participants and screening the current products available on the market, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of our audience. More so, with these pain points in mind, we can begin to translate the insights into features for the platform. Our next step was defining the user persona and journey roadmap.
With so much information provided from the survey and interviews, our group realized we need to sort them and highlight our top 6. Below is a summary of the pain points that was later utilized to create our user persona, current journey synthesis, and future journey synthesis.
We needed to create two journey maps because we were trying to cater two types of users: a sub-tenants and sub-leaser. After creating the journey map, we listed opportunities that could help each phrase.
We then plotted the ideal journey map where the person would not feel anxious during the apartment hunting process and listed out the new actions of each phrase.
With 36 hours, we split roles with me taking lead visualizing the information architecture, and logo; while, they took lead on creating the components and mapping out the frames and onboarding process.
Similar to our synthesis, we needed to create two user flows but this led to some difficulties. In our first iteration, we started off with the log-in screen which would lead to two different user flows, where one was a sub-leaser and the other a sub-tenant.
They're two separate hom pages: sub-leaser and sub-tenant. However, this became an issue because a person could be both.
In this version we did not have two homepages, but realized as we were building that it was looking closer to an information architecture diagram.
As we were building the two user flows, we began to confuse ourselves. At many points in the flows, the two user would cross so how could this be visually represented. Afterwards, I realized with our limited time it would be more productive for us to do a site map with all the listed features and how the user would interact with each one.
A home is a home no matter the duration. With this statement we combined the idea of a puzzle and a home. Our name, LeaseLink, came from the idea that it's one lease connecting two parties.
With LeaseLink, you'll find the missing puzzle piece to your home.
We all unanimously agreed upon the color blue, but now we need a system for the typography and iconography. As we were building the prototype on Figma, we would add more accent colors in order to help differentiate features. Below are some of the example components we created which were heavily utilized in multiple frames.
Based off the main pain-points, we then prioritized the top 3 features of the platform. To meet the deadline, we created mid-fidelity wireframes straight away and adjusted accordingly.
One of my main responsibilities was to figure out the search bar and filter feature. Our main concern with apartment hunting was that people had different wants in terms of bedroom, bathrooms, location, and amenities. So how coud incorporate multiple options? We also had to account for the option of a roommate and atmosphere.
We compiled all the filters into one tab so the user would only need to tap one button to access all the selection tiles. Cons: Too much information and overcrowding
Within the filter tabs, we then built an hierarchy of what selections would go first. With this mind, we split up the filters into “Locate Your Stay” and “Filters.”Option 2 was significantly more popular among our testers because not everyone has so many specifications.
We had to conduct quick user-testing so we asked a select three friends to go through our prototype. During these testing, we were able to notice better placements for components on the UI and where to make the process more intuitive.
Based on our research, security was one of the top needs people wanted on the platform. No one wants to lose money.
All testers unanimously agreed that signing the document would make the agreement feel more official and make either parties less likely to back out.
Messages, saved apartments, and new listings most likely would be the top 3 tabs people frequent. We can realistically assume that the user would not need to frequently post a listing or post themselves, so an “add” button can go down our list of priorities. Looking at Instagram for reference, we realized they have the “add” button at the bottom because people meant to post more content. Therefore, we decided to place in the top right of the screen
Although we soved the UI problem about the add button, but we realized both a leaser and potential tenant would want to post on the platform.
In the last 24 hours, I came up with the idea of allowing to switch between a listing and community hub tab on the homepage.
The community hub can help bridge connection between individuals.
One of our testers brought up a significant point that it’s unlikely one would find their apartment in one day, so it would be beneficial to have a saved search feature. We had previously overlooked this, but we didn’t want the “saved search” to overcrowd the screen. To resolve the issue, we changed the saved listenings to a simple “Saved” to accommodate both needs.
In the final 10 hours, we organized all the screens together beginning with the same onboarding process before diverging into two user flows.
The onboarding process was extensive but we wanted the user to feel secure. However, we also could not make it too long in fear that the user may give up halfway through. On the other hand, an onboarding process that is too fast can mislead the user into believing the platform is not safe or verified enough.
With a centralized platform, the user no longer has the issue of missing potential request on Instagram or Facebook. There is no longer a need to feel overwhelmed by going through multiple social media sites.
Easily switch between pages, Listings and Community Page, to be both a sub-leaser and sub-tenant.
Find your apartment or tenant in less than a month
Like dating, it's hard to find the one for you. So with LeaseLink, you won't have to waste time on apartments or tenants not right for you.
Can’t afford to visit the new city? LeaseLink will provide all the information for you to get a well rounded understanding of the neighborhood.
Every profile is verified after the onboarding process
Chat with every party to determine if they or the apartment is the right one for you
Security deposit and signed lease agreement for every transaction
View the Full Prototype on Figma 