MiCasa

PRODUCT DESIGN

Mi Casa

UX Research | UX Design | Visual Design

Problem

Manual and time-consuming tenant management practices in prominent residential societies

To address the problems faced by the tenants because of the manual and time-consuming nature of the tenant management practices in big residential societies.

Manual and time-consuming tenant management practices in prominent residential societies

To address the problems faced by the tenants because of the manual and time-consuming nature of the tenant management practices in big residential societies.

Solution

I designed a tenant management app that provides online support to the tenants' daily problems regarding their rented apartment spaces.

Designed a tenant management app which reduces the gap between the tenants and management offices by providing online supports to most of the tenants' daily problems regarding their rented apartment spaces. The features of the app include:

I designed a tenant management app that provides online support to the tenants' daily problems regarding their rented apartment spaces.

Designed a tenant management app which reduces the gap between the tenants and management offices by providing online supports to most of the tenants' daily problems regarding their rented apartment spaces. The features of the app include:

Online society orientation sessions
Digitized rent payment process via card, bank accounts, and 3rd party payment platforms
Online maintenance management process providing explicit ETAs and ensuring quality service
Easy guests management by adding guests via the app
An emergency section in the app that offers same day service

Option for attending society orientations online.
Digitizing rent payment process and inclusion of 3rd party payment mediums
Online maintenance process providing explicit ETAs and ensuring quality service.
Easy guests management by adding guests via the app.
The critical section in the app provides service the same day.

Online society orientation sessions
Digitized rent payment process via card, bank accounts, and 3rd party payment platforms
Online maintenance management process providing explicit ETAs and ensuring quality service
Easy guests management by adding guests via the app
An emergency section in the app that offers same day service

Option for attending society orientations online.
Digitizing rent payment process and inclusion of 3rd party payment mediums
Online maintenance process providing explicit ETAs and ensuring quality service.
Easy guests management by adding guests via the app.
A critical section in the app provides service the same day.

Duration

Nov 2017 - Jan 2018
Aug 2018 - Jan 2019 (re-designed)

My Role

UX Research & design, and visual design

Sole designer doing UX Research & design, and visual design.

UX Research & design, and visual design

Sole designer doing UX Research & design, and visual design.

Process

UX RESEARCH

Affinity Mapping

Being a tenant myself, I began with exploratory research. I noted all primary issues that my neighbors and I face daily and clustered the data into broader categories to design user interview questions.

Being a tenant myself, I began exploratory research and jotted down all the primary issues that I face daily w.r.t. my rented house and further grouped the data into broader categories and designed interview questions around them.

Being a tenant myself, I began with exploratory research. I noted all primary issues that my neighbors and I face daily and clustered the data into broader categories to design user interview questions.

Being a tenant myself, I began exploratory research and jotted down all the primary issues that I face daily w.r.t. my rented house and further grouped the data into broader categories and designed interview questions around them.

UX RESEARCH

User Interviews

I conducted interviews with other tenants to get a more profound knowledge of the problems and their behaviors. The rich data gathered during the process helped me in further increasing the sample space of problems.

Conducted interviews with the tenants living in the US to get a deeper knowledge of the problems faced by the tenants staying rented spaces. The rich data gathered during the process helped me in further increasing the sample space of problems. Few details of the interviews and the questions are mentioned below.

I conducted interviews with other tenants to get a more profound knowledge of the problems and their behaviors. The rich data gathered during the process helped me in further increasing the sample space of problems.

Conducted interviews with the tenants living in the US to get a deeper knowledge of the problems faced by the tenants staying rented spaces. The rich data gathered during the process helped me in further increasing the sample space of problems. Few details of the interviews and the questions are mentioned below.

STYLE

Funnel - semi scructured

DURATION

30 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

15 Minutes

NUMBER

5 participants

TYPE

Contextual Interview

QUESTIONS

Tell me about your apartment/house leasing process?
What factors do you consider while choosing a rental house?
How do you pay the rent for your house?
Do you face any problems staying in a rented house?
If you have a guest coming to your place, how do you manage his/her visit?

How long you have been staying in rented houses?
Tell me about your apartment/house leasing process?
Do you have to go through a background check before approval?
What factors do you consider while choosing a rental house?
Have you ever had any bad experiences with the owners?
Do the owners perform background verification before they lease their house?
How do you pay the rent for your house?
Do you face any problems staying in a rented house?
What kind of problems? Have you encountered any major issues/calamities during your stay?
If you have a guest coming to your place, how do you manage his/her visit?

Tell me about your apartment/house leasing process?
What factors do you consider while choosing a rental house?
How do you pay the rent for your house?
Do you face any problems staying in a rented house?
If you have a guest coming to your place, how do you manage his/her visit?

How long you have been staying in rented houses?
Tell me about your apartment/house leasing process?
Do you have to go through a background check before approval?
What factors do you consider while choosing a rental house?
Have you ever had any bad experiences with the owners?
Do the owners perform background verification before they lease their house?
How do you pay the rent for your house?
Do you face any problems staying in a rented house?
What kind of problems? Have you encountered any major issues/calamities during your stay?
If you have a guest coming to your place, how do you manage his/her visit?

THOUGHTS SHARED DURING THE INTERVIEWS

STUDENT

He has to raise a guest request, get it approved, and be physically present in the Security office when his friends visit him. He wishes to have a relaxation for known visitors or an online system to raise the guest requests.

Every-time his friends have to visit him, he has to raise a guest request, get it approved and be physically present in Security office when his friends arrive. Wishes to have a relaxation for known visitors or an online system to raise the guest requests.

He has to raise a guest request, get it approved, and be physically present in the Security office when his friends visit him. He wishes to have a relaxation for known visitors or an online system to raise the guest requests.

Every-time his friends have to visit him, he has to raise a guest request, get it approved and be physically present in Security office when his friends arrive. Wishes to have a relaxation for known visitors or an online system to raise the guest requests.

RETIRED PERSON

Uses a wheelchair and cannot visit banks and offices frequently to pay rents or to report any maintenance issues. Also, due to Alzheimer's disease, he often forgets to carry his keys while going out.

Uses a wheelchair and cannot visit banks and offices frequently to pay rents or to report any maintenance issues. Always have a fear of getting mugged by the visitor maintenance agents. Also, due to Alzheimer's disease, often forgets to carry his keys while going out.

Uses a wheelchair and cannot visit banks and offices frequently to pay rents or to report any maintenance issues. Also, due to Alzheimer's disease, he often forgets to carry his keys while going out.

Uses a wheelchair and cannot visit banks and offices frequently to pay rents or to report any maintenance issues. Always have a fear of getting mugged by the visitor maintenance agents. Also, due to Alzheimer's disease, often forgets to carry his keys while going out.

HR MANAGER

A mother of two always has to take out time from her busy schedule to make rent payments. Often misses her deadlines and ends up paying late charges.

A mother of two always have to take out time from her busy schedule to make rent payments. Often misses her deadlines and ends up paying late charges. Complaints about the system being outdated and mentions about third party payment portals being secure and quick for transferring funds to the owner.

A mother of two always has to take out time from her busy schedule to make rent payments. Often misses her deadlines and ends up paying late charges.

A mother of two always has to take out time from her busy schedule to make rent payments. Often misses her deadlines and ends up paying late charges. Complaints about the system are outdated and mention about third-party payment portals being secure and quick for transferring funds to the owner.

SOFTWARE ENGG.

Has a personal experience of gas leakage problem in one of his previous rented space. Faced a hard time looking for an agency that could arrive quickly to fix the problem.

Has a personal experience of gas leakage problem in one of his previous rented space. Had hard times looking for an agency which could arrive quickly to fix the problem.

He has personal experience of gas leakage problem in one of his previous rented space. He has faced a hard time looking for an agency that could arrive quickly to fix the problem.

Has a personal experience of gas leakage problem in one of his previous rented space. Had hard times looking for an agency which could arrive quickly to fix the problem.

AREAS TO FOCUS

UX RESEARCH

Journey Mapping

Interviews also helped in visualizing the series of steps taken by tenants to perform tasks and their emotions in every phase. Below is one such example.

Interviews also helped in visualizing the series of steps taken by tenants in order to perform specific tasks and their emotions in every phase. Below is one such example.

UX DESIGN

Ideation

Based on the opportunity areas, I started brainstorming solutions to the problems faced. Below are the ideas for the issues faced by the tenants.

Based on the opportunity areas, I started brainstorming solutions to the problems faced. Below are the ideas with respect to the problems faced by the tenants.

Based on the opportunity areas, I started brainstorming solutions to the problems faced. Below are the ideas for the issues faced by the tenants.

Based on the opportunity areas, I started brainstorming solutions to the problems faced. Below are the ideas with respect to the problems faced by the tenants.

ORIENTATION

Need
To save time and money spent during the orientation process.
To make the orientation process online.

Need
To save time and money spent during the orientation process.

Need
To save time and money spent during the orientation process.
To make the orientation process online.

Need
To save time and money spent during the payment process.
To allow multiple payment options for the monthly rent.

Provide a 24 hours link for taking orientation online
Rescheduling option in for in-person orientation
Explain the benefits of online orientation while the user waits for the in-person session
Provide customer care number on the waiting screen for in-person orientations

Provide a 24 hours link for taking orientation online.
A choice to select from videos or written documents for online orientations.
Questionnaires at the end of each online session.
Provide keys the very next day a tenant finishes with online orientations.
Calendar view with available dates for in-person orientations.
Rescheduling option in for in-person orientation.
Suggest users move to online orientations by explaining their benefits while the tenant is waiting for the in-person orientation sessions.
Reimbursements of the travel charges in terms of points that can be used to pay the monthly rent.
Provide customer care number on the waiting screen for in-person orientations.

Provide a 24 hours link for taking orientation online
Rescheduling option in for in-person orientation
Explain the benefits of online orientation while the user waits for the in-person session
Provide customer care number on the waiting screen for in-person orientations

Provide a 24 hours link for taking orientation online.
A choice to select from videos or written documents for online orientations.
Questionnaires at the end of each online session.
Provide keys the very next day a tenant finishes with online orientations.
Calendar view with available dates for in-person orientations.
Rescheduling option in for in-person orientation.
Suggest users move to online orientations by explaining their benefits while the tenant is waiting for the in-person orientation sessions.
Reimbursements of the travel charges in terms of points that can be used to pay the monthly rent.
Provide customer care number on the waiting screen for in-person orientations.

PAYMENTS

Need
To save time and money spent during the payment process.
To allow multiple payment options for the monthly rent.

Provide a payment portal through an app or from the rental office's website.
Allow payment through third-party companies like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Zelle, etc
Recurring payment option

Provide a payment portal through an app or from the rental office's website.
Allow payment through third-party companies like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Zelle, etc.
Provide payment reminders.
Provide a grace period based on payment history.
Facility for a one-time payment for some months.
Recurring payment options.

Provide a payment portal through an app or from the rental office's website.
Allow payment through third-party companies like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Zelle, etc
Recurring payment option

Provide a payment portal through an app or from the rental office's website.
Allow payment through third-party companies like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Zelle, etc.
Provide payment reminders.
Provide a grace period based on payment history.
Facility for a one-time payment for some months.
Recurring payment options.

MAINTENANCE

Need
To avoid visiting management office to raise maintenance requests
To provide best quality services at cheap prices to the customer

Need
To avoid visiting management office to raise maintenance requests
To provide the best quality services at cheap prices to the customer

Need
To avoid visiting management office to raise maintenance requests
To provide best quality services at cheap prices to the customer

Online maintenance requests through a mobile application
Frequent maintenance categories should quickly
Option to schedule the maintenance activity according to the tenant's availability
Explicitly provide ETAs for the requests
Provide an opportunity to increase the priority of the activity

Online maintenance requests through a mobile application
Management decides the charges of the work done (thus ensuring better quality and cheaper rates).
Default categories of maintenance to be addressed quickly like plumbing, electricals, carpentry, lawn-moving, etc.
Let tenants schedule the maintenance activity according to their availability.
Explicitly provide ETAs for the requests.
Address requests with respect to the priority of work.
Option to increase the priority of the activity.

Online maintenance requests through a mobile application
Frequent maintenance categories should quickly
Option to schedule the maintenance activity according to the tenant's availability
Explicitly provide ETAs for the requests
Provide an opportunity to increase the priority of the activity

Online maintenance requests through a mobile application
Management decides the charges of the work done (thus ensuring better quality and cheaper rates).
Default categories of maintenance to be addressed quickly like plumbing, electricals, carpentry, lawn-moving, etc.
Let tenants schedule the maintenance activity according to their availability.
Explicitly provide ETAs for the requests.
Address requests with respect to the priority of work.
Option to increase the priority of the activity.

GUESTS

Need
To design an easy process to raise guest pass request.
To avoid visiting security office everytime a guest arrives

Need
To design an easy process to raise guest pass request
To avoid visiting security office every time a guest arrives

Need
To design an easy process to raise guest pass request.
To avoid visiting security office everytime a guest arrives

Raise guest pass requests via an app
Upload ID proof to verify the guest
Provide QR code to the tenant as well as guests to scan the same at the security office before entry
Allow preparation of the guest list

Raise guest pass requests via an app.
Upload ID proof to verify the guest.
Provide QR code to the tenant as well as guests to scan the same at the security office before entry.
Allow preparation of the guest list.
Option to modify and delete guest passes.
Maintenance agents guest pass to be directly reflected in the main area of the app.

Raise guest pass requests via an app
Upload ID proof to verify the guest
Provide QR code to the tenant as well as guests to scan the same at the security office before entry
Allow preparation of the guest list

Raise guest pass requests via an app.
Upload ID proof to verify the guest.
Provide QR code to the tenant as well as guests to scan the same at the security office before entry.
Allow preparation of the guest list.
Option to modify and delete guest passes.
Maintenance agents guest pass to be directly reflected in the main area of the app.

THE SYSTEM AND THE WORLD!

I approached the solution by creating the system and the world. The system was a mobile app, and the world included the tenant and all other entities like a management office, third-party agencies, and people.

I approached the solution by creating the system and the world. The system was a mobile app and the world included the tenant and all other entities like a management office, third-party agencies, and people.

I approached the solution by creating the system and the world. The system was a mobile app, and the world included the tenant and all other entities like a management office, third-party agencies, and people.

I approached the solution by creating the system and the world. The system was a mobile app and the world included the tenant and all other entities like a management office, third-party agencies, and people.

UX DESIGN

Low Fidelity Prototype

I created a low fidelity paper prototype based on all the ideas captured during the ideation phase and tried to build a generic mobile app experience. I tested it with a couple of potential users and received their valuable feedback and suggestions.

I created a Low fidelity paper prototype based on all the ideas captured during the ideation phase and tried to build a generic mobile app experience. I tested it with a couple of potential users and received their valuable feedback and suggestions.

I created a low fidelity paper prototype based on all the ideas captured during the ideation phase and tried to build a generic mobile app experience. I tested it with a couple of potential users and received their valuable feedback and suggestions.

I created a Low fidelity paper prototype based on all the ideas captured during the ideation phase and tried to build a generic mobile app experience. I tested it with a couple of potential users and received their valuable feedback and suggestions.

UX DESIGN

Information architecture

The information architecture diagram helped me to group features based on their common areas. With the valuable feedback received from the users, I began arranging the elements based on their hierarchy. Added two new areas - Emergency (separate section in primary navigation) and Community (included in the Home screen).

Information Architecture diagram helped me to group features based on their common areas. With the valuable feedback received from the users, I began arranging the features based on their hierarchy. Two new areas were added - Emergency (separate section in primary navigation) and Community (included in the Home screen).

The information architecture diagram helped me to group features based on their common areas. With the valuable feedback received from the users, I began arranging the elements based on their hierarchy. Added two new areas - Emergency (separate section in primary navigation) and Community (included in the Home screen).

Information Architecture diagram helped me to group features based on their common areas. With the valuable feedback received from the users, I began arranging the features based on their hierarchy. Two new areas were added - Emergency (separate section in primary navigation) and Community (included in the Home screen).

UX DESIGN

UX Flow

User Flow

UX Flow

I used UX Flow diagrams to create an information hierarchy of each screen and tailored them together to provide an effortless and natural experience to the users

"From just ideas to screens" - I used UX Flow diagrams to create information hierarchy of each screen and tailored them together with an aim to provide an effortless and natural experience to the users.

I used UX Flow diagrams to create an information hierarchy of each screen and tailored them together to provide an effortless and natural experience to the user

"From just ideas to screens" - I used UX Flow diagrams to create information hierarchy of each screen and tailored them together with an aim to provide an effortless and natural experience to the users.

VISUAL DESIGN

High Fidelity Prototype

Screen designing was a difficult job at the beginning. Material Design system came to my rescue. Each components had explicit specifications and different case studies for inspiration catered to the creative need of the application

Screen designing was a difficult job at the beginning. Material Design system came to my rescue. The explicitly mentioned specs of each element gave me concrete guidelines to follow, and on the other hand, different case studies for inspiration catered to the creative need of the application.

Screen designing was a difficult job at the beginning. Material Design system came to my rescue. Each component had explicit specifications and different case studies for inspiration catered to the creative need of the application.

Screen designing was a difficult job at the beginning. Material Design system came to my rescue. The explicitly mentioned specs of each element gave me concrete guidelines to follow, and on the other hand, different case studies for inspiration catered to the creative need of the application.

Typography

Mi Casa uses a single typeface - Lato. The sans-serif typeface provides uniformity and consistency in the UI elements across the application.

Colors

A modern home inspired the color palate. The turquoise of the furniture provides freshness, the hint of Red from the furniture stands out bold while the faded yellow of the walls provides a warm and welcoming look to the application

The colors of the application are inspired by the colors of the interiors of modern homes. The turquoise of the furniture provides freshness, the hint of Red from the furniture stands out bold while the faded yellow of the walls provides a warm and welcoming look to the application.

A modern home inspired the color palate. The turquoise of the furniture provides freshness; the hint of Red from the furniture stands out bold while the faded yellow of the walls provides a warm and welcoming look to the application.

The colors of the application are inspired by the colors of the interiors of modern homes. The turquoise of the furniture provides freshness, the hint of Red from the furniture stands out bold while the faded yellow of the walls provides a warm and welcoming look to the application.

Illustrations

The illustrations are designed on similar lines with the colors selected for the application.

Iconography

The Iconography of Mi Casa consist of outlined and filled icons. While most of the icons are used from Material Design Icons, I have tried to create some Icons following material design guidelines for iconography.

1. Outlined Icon for Emergency, 2. Other Icons in filled states.

Shapes

I divided the entire application into small, medium, and large components, and the basic shape of the ingredients is explicitly defined to provide consistency throughout the app

The entire application is divided into small, medium and large components and the basic shape of the components are explicitly defined to provide consistency throughout the application.

VISUAL DESIGN

Final Design

Introducing Mi Casa, a product carefully tailored product to cater to the daily needs of people living in a rented space, however small they might be. Mi Casa allows you to take orientations, make rent payments, raise maintenance requests, and invite guests to your house from your fingertips, thus saving a considerable amount of time and money spent on these activities.

Introducing Mi Casa, a product carefully tailored product to cater to the daily needs of people living in a rented space, however small they might be. Mi Casa allows you to take orientations, make rent payments, raise maintenance requests and invite guests to your house from your fingertips thus saving a huge amount of time and money spent on these activities.

Introducing Mi Casa, a product carefully tailored product to cater to the daily needs of people living in a rented space, however small they might be. Mi Casa allows you to take orientations, make rent payments, raise maintenance requests, and invite guests to your house from your fingertips, thus saving a considerable amount of time and money spent on these activities.

Introducing Mi Casa, a product carefully tailored product to cater to the daily needs of people living in a rented space, however small they might be. Mi Casa allows you to take orientations, make rent payments, raise maintenance requests and invite guests to your house from your fingertips thus saving a huge amount of time and money spent on these activities.

Final Prototype Link: Mi Casa

ORIENTATION

Take online or in-person sessions.
Sessions scheduled as per tenant's convinience.
Short videos followed by easy questionnaires in an online session, to ensure tenants understand all the policies.

Take online or in-person sessions.
Sessions scheduled as per tenant's convinience.
Short videos followed by easy questionnaires in an online session, to ensure tenants understand all the policies.

Take online or in-person sessions.
Sessions scheduled as per tenant's convinience.
Short videos followed by easy questionnaires in an online session, to ensure tenants understand all the policies.

Take online or in-person sessions.
Sessions scheduled as per tenant's convinience.
Short videos followed by easy questionnaires in an online session, to ensure tenants understand all the policies.

HOME

Blogs section to socialize with other members of society.
Notifications section to receive important alerts form society.
Events section to publicize or book tickets of the events taking place in the society.

Blogs section to socialize with other members of society.
Notifications section to receive important alerts form society.
Events section to publicize or book tickets of the events taking place in the society.

Blogs section to socialize with other members of society.
Notifications section to receive important alerts form society.
Events section to publicize or book tickets of the events taking place in the society.

Blogs section to socialize with other members of society.
Notifications section to receive important alerts form society.
Events section to publicize or book tickets of the events taking place in the society.

PAYMENTS

Never miss payments deadlines by keeping an eye on the payments section of the app.
Auto payments and Paperless billing features provide a hassle-free process.
A choice to make payments via 3rd party applications.

Never miss payments deadlines by keeping an eye on the payments section of the app.
Auto payments and Paperless billing features provide a hassle-free process.
A choice to make payments via 3rd party applications.

Never miss payments deadlines by keeping an eye on the payments section of the app.
Auto payments and Paperless billing features provide a hassle-free process.
A choice to make payments via 3rd party applications.

Never miss payments deadlines by keeping an eye on the payments section of the app.
Auto payments and Paperless billing features provide a hassle-free process.
A choice to make payments via 3rd party applications.

MAINTENANCE

Quick and easy process to raise maintenance requests.
Agent details and service ETA provided in the app.
Verified maintenance agencies to ensure safety for tenants from the agents.
Backend negotiations provide best services with less value.

Quick and easy process to raise maintenance requests.
Agent details and service ETA provided in the app.
Verified maintenance agencies to ensure safety for tenants from the agents.
Backend negotiations provide best services with less value.

Quick and easy process to raise maintenance requests.
Agent details and service ETA provided in the app.
Verified maintenance agencies to ensure safety for tenants from the agents.
Backend negotiations provide best services with less value.

Quick and easy process to raise maintenance requests.
Agent details and service ETA provided in the app.
Verified maintenance agencies to ensure safety for tenants from the agents.
Backend negotiations provide best services with less value.

GUESTS

Use of guests lists to raise guest pass quickly.
Use of QR codes and centralized database, the tenants don't need to visit the security office to authenticate their guests.

Use of guests lists to raise guest pass quickly.
Use of QR codes and centralized database, the tenants don't need to visit the security office to authenticate their guests.

Use of guests lists to raise guest pass quickly.
Use of QR codes and centralized database, the tenants don't need to visit the security office to authenticate their guests.

Use of guests lists to raise guest pass quickly.
Use of QR codes and centralized database, the tenants don't need to visit the security office to authenticate their guests.

EMERGENCY

One click button to call emergency services.
Emergency services like locked outside the house, Gas leak, window break, pipe leakage, etc. on one click, to be addressed on the same day.

One click button to call emergency services.
Emergency services like locked outside the house, Gas leak, window break, pipe leakage, etc. on one click, to be addressed on the same day.

One click button to call emergency services.
Emergency services like locked outside the house, Gas leak, window break, pipe leakage, etc. on one click, to be addressed on the same day.

One click button to call emergency services.
Emergency services like locked outside the house, Gas leak, window break, pipe leakage, etc. on one click, to be addressed on the same day.

2020. Prasad Patil

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