RE/WORK | Add a Feature

RE/WORK

Mobile App MVP - iOS

RE/WORK improves productivity for remote workers by assisting users to find working locations through advanced filters and sort options while tracking work progress.

THE BACKGROUND

A NEW WORKPLACE STANDARD

Following the 2020 pandemic, the corporate world saw exponential growth in remote work. Even after stay-at-home mandates were lifted, many companies continued to embrace remote employment.

While remote work offers significant benefits like comfort, flexibility, and increased productivity, it also presents challenges. Many workers struggle with isolation and difficulty separating work from home life. To address this, people often seek out new environments, such as coffee shops and coworking spaces, to restore balance and enhance their work experience.

MY ROLE

As the UX/UI Product Designer for this end-to-end mobile app, I led the design process from concept to final delivery.

I conducted user research, defined user flows, created wireframes, and developed high-fidelity prototypes.

My focus was on crafting seamless interactions, visually appealing interfaces, and ensuring usability at each stage of the user journey.

This project was part of a mentor-facilitated boot camp program through Design Lab.

UNDERSTANDING THE USER

A GROWING USER GROUP

Remote workers and students often seek flexible work or study locations that boost productivity, improve mental health, and minimize distractions. However, finding the right spot can be time-consuming, and location descriptions are often inaccurate. Professionals may miss the social interaction of in-person work, while students often need an escape from home distractions.

RESEARCH GOALS

Understand the needs of users based on personal work preferences
Identify the current search methods users implement

PRE-SURVEY EXPECTATIONS

Working professionals prefer remote options over working in-person
Students are more easily distracted when working/studying at home.
Users prefer local options where they can become regulars

RESPONSES BASED ON 12 USERS

While some employees want to stay remote, many are ready to return in-person since they miss the social interactions
Students expressed that they are distracted by family members, roommates, leisure activities when at home
Users are more interested in discovering new locations--while location is a deciding factor, it is not a deal breaker

40%

Employees are ready to return in-person since they miss the social interactions

75%

Students expressed that they are distracted by family members, roommates, or leisure activities when at home

24%

Users would choose a local chain coffee shop over a specialty coffee shop that might be located further.

KICKOFF

UNDERSTANDING THE SHIFT OF THE WORKPLACE

Users want to maximize efficiency and minimize distractions during work hours by quickly finding a work location that fits their personal needs.

A DEEPER LOOK AT THE USER'S RESPONSE

I conducted interviews via Google Forms, reaching out to users aged 18 to 40 at different life stages. The responses revealed two distinct user personas: The Student and The Professional. While both sought the same solution, their pain points and motivations varied significantly.

DISCOVERY

The two user personas identified are The Student and The Professional.
While hybrid remote positions are valued for flexibility, most users still prefer fully remote work.
Users feel that working in new locations fosters indirect social connections, which, in turn, boosts their productivity.

PAIN POINT

Dull work environments can dampen mood and reduce motivation, leading to lower productivity.
Working from home often brings the most distractions, as separating personal and work tasks can be challenging.

MOTIVATIONS

Users feel inspired to work harder when they observe productivity in others.
A change of scenery is refreshing and helps them focus more effectively on their tasks.

USER NEEDS

Free WiFi
Bathroom
Outlets
Seating with tables

DEVELOPING A SOLUTION

RESEARCHING COMPETITORS

Identify the products users currently rely on to find suitable work locations.
Analyze how users interact with filter and sort features to address any related pain points.

While popular indirect competitors are efficient, users still have to go out of their way to find suitable locations, and the experience lacks personalization. In contrast, direct competitor products are incomplete and missing essential, usable features.

A SOLUTION TO BOOST EFFICIENCY

I decided to create a mobile app that helps remote workers and students find public locations tailored to their specific working preferences. The app will include a social community where remote workers can connect and share their experiences, while students can discover suitable workspaces and track their daily to-do lists to boost productivity.

DEEPER INSIGHTS

FILTERS FOR INCREASING PREFERENCES

I completed card sorting to identify how users grouped filters, as they preferred having related filters consolidated.
Users found the "work conditions" filter category confusing, as it was too broad.
80% of users considered ambiance and noise level to be part of the same category.

* Users considered these filters to be the most important

BRANDING

AESTHETIC

RE/WORK is reliable, focused, and consistent. The visual design will feature a simple, minimalist style that resonates with young students and emerging professionals. It will cater to their preferences, offering a personalized experience that enhances flexibility and meets their unique needs.

INSPIRATION

Since most users preferred Yelp and Google Maps, I aimed to create a familiar visual design by combining the best features and design elements from both platforms into a streamlined, efficient new product.

LOGO DESIGN

"Where work fits for you"

I aimed to create a logo that embodies a balance between flexibility and order. The logo symbolizes the app’s ability to help users find a location that aligns with their personalized work conditions. Since everyone’s preferences and needs vary, the goal is to offer a space that suits each individual user. The minimalist design reflects the product’s simple yet powerful features.

COLOR SCHEME

The muted green creates a soft, reliable aesthetic, while the neutral highlight and secondary colors maintain a consistent, distraction-free experience that helps users stay focused.

STARTING THE INITIAL DESIGN

WORKING BACKWARDS FROM PERFECT

After analyzing the pros and cons of Yelp and Google Maps—the two most commonly used competitors according to users—I set out to design a product that would combine the best features of both platforms.

By incorporating familiar elements from these apps, I aimed to create a more intuitive experience.

Additionally, I introduced advanced filters to personalize the app for each user, allowing them to easily find locations tailored to their unique preferences and work conditions.

This approach ensures a seamless, user-friendly interface while offering enhanced functionality.

Users preferred having both a map and list view when searching for locations.
The interactive map lets users visually assess distance and area based on their desired location.
The list view offers more detailed information to aid in the selection process.
A sliding modal enables users to quickly toggle between both viewing options for added convenience.

MID-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

I created various components to group locations in different formats, depending on the level of information required for each section. This approach helped maintain a clean, streamlined interface without overwhelming users with excessive text.

Additionally, I incorporated icons where appropriate to establish a clear and engaging visual hierarchy, making the information easier to digest.

USER FEEDBACK

THE EVOLUTION INTO HIGH-FIDELITY DESIGNS

The edits were made in response to feedback from the mid-fidelity testing. The goal was to ensure the design remained visually simple without sacrificing advanced features. Additionally, I aimed to make the interface intuitive, with a minimal learning curve, allowing users to access features quickly and easily.

I removed the logo from most screens to maximize screen real estate.

This change provided a cleaner design, allowing users to focus on their primary goal: finding a location.

I edited the "Favorited Location" component by increasing its size for better visibility and adding a heart icon, giving users a visual intuitive option to undo their selection.

I adjusted the design of the active/inactive states of filters to eliminate confusion.

TESTING RESULTS

THREE MAJOR USER FLOWS

I tested three user flows using Maze:

Finding a work location in Tarzana, CA by applying filters
Adding a task to the to-do list and reviewing past completed tasks
Saving a location to favorites and leaving a review

Find a work location in Tarzana, CA by applying filters

Add a task to your to-do list and review past completed tasks

Save a location to your favorites and leave a review

USER FLOW 1
Find a work location in Tarzana, CA by applying filters

Reiterations based on 80% success rate

I added a quick look card for locations to simplify the search process.
I also displayed the number of "results" after filters were applied to provide users with clear feedback.

USER FLOW 2
Add a task to your to-do list and review past completed tasks

Reiterations based on 90% success rate

I disabled the buttons until a task was entered into the text bar to ensure proper task creation.
I also added an edit feature to submitted tasks, allowing users to undo any errors.

USER FLOW 3
Save a location to your favorites list and leave a review