Zara Homes Design

Premier Property Solutions: Your Gateway to Dream Homes.

UI/UX Design

Branding

Real Estate

timeline

Jan - May 2023

sector

Real Estate, Agency, Landscape

role

UI/UX Design, Development, Branding

Problem

In the real estate market, potential buyers often struggle to find properties that match their specific needs and preferences. The search process can be time-consuming and frustrating due to the lack of personalized filtering options and intuitive user interfaces on many real estate websites.

As a designer, I recognized that the problem of a lack of personalized filtering options and intuitive user interfaces in real estate websites had significant implications for both the market and potential buyers. I understood that this could lead to a frustrating and time-consuming property search process for clients, potentially resulting in missed opportunities and lower conversion rates. From a market perspective, I was aware that real estate companies failing to provide a user-friendly and personalized experience could lose potential clients to competitors, leading to a loss of market share and reduced revenue.

This problem statement directly influenced my design process. It highlighted the need for a user-centric approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of the target users. In response to this problem, I conducted user research to understand the pain points, needs, and preferences of my users. I used these insights to inform my design decisions, such as implementing personalized filtering options and designing an intuitive user interface. My design process also involved iterative testing and refinement to ensure that the website effectively addressed the identified problem. This included usability testing to assess the effectiveness of the search and filter functions, and A/B testing to determine which design elements most effectively drove user engagement and satisfaction. By focusing on solving this problem, I was able to align my design process with delivering a product that not only meets the needs of its users but also provides a satisfying and efficient user experience. This, in turn, can lead to increased user engagement, higher conversion rates, and positive word-of-mouth for the website.

Solution

I created a personalized, user-friendly real estate website with an advanced search feature for filtering properties by various criteria like location, price, type, and bedrooms.

Additionally, i incorporated a recommendation system that suggests properties based on the user’s search history and preferences. The website also features high-quality images and detailed property descriptions to provide users with all the information they need to make informed decisions.

Design Process

1. Understanding the Brief

During our initial meetings, we discussed Zara’s goals, target audience, and brand values in detail. We identified that they wanted to appeal to a broad demographic, from first-time home buyers to seasoned investors. They wanted their brand to convey trustworthiness, professionalism, and modernity.

2. Research

I began by conducting comprehensive research to understand the needs and preferences of my target users. This involved surveys, interviews, and user testing with potential users. I aimed to understand what users look for in a real estate website, their pain points with existing solutions, and how Zara could address these needs. I also studied the market, analyzed competitors, and kept up-to-date with the latest trends in real estate websites.

3. Define

After gathering and analyzing the data, I defined the problem in a user-centric way. I articulated the users’ needs and problems, which helped me focus on what was truly important. I created user personas and user stories to better understand and articulate the users’ needs. I also defined the key features that Zara needed to have, such as personalized filtering options, an intuitive user interface, and an advanced search feature.

4. Ideate

In this phase, I generated a wide range of creative ideas for Zara’s design and functionality. I used techniques like brainstorming, sketching, and mind mapping. I challenged assumptions and pushed boundaries to come up with innovative solutions. I also sought feedback from others to refine my ideas and ensure they were aligned with the users’ needs.

5. Prototype

I then translated my ideas into tangible prototypes. I started with low-fidelity prototypes like wireframes and mockups, which allowed me to visualize the layout and structure of Zara. I then moved on to high-fidelity prototypes that closely resembled the final product. These prototypes incorporated the key features and design elements identified earlier.

6. Test

Finally, I tested my prototypes with users. I conducted usability tests to see how users interacted with the prototypes and whether they could complete tasks successfully. I gathered feedback and observed users’ behavior to identify any issues or areas for improvement. I then refined the design based on this feedback.

Conlusion

The long process of researching, testing, and repeatedly honing my designs has led to a project I’m proud of, but still, I believe there’s a lot of room for improvement.

WHAT I LEARNED

It's good to ask for lots of help! Having a fresh pair of eyes helped a lot with nitpicking details I glazed over Settling on a good word choice can be harder than settling on a design choice... Brand identity is formed through every decision in tone, color, shapes, and more!

SOMETHING I WANT TO IMPROVE ON

I'd like to work more on my research method. The sample for my initial interview research was quite small and biased given that they were my friends. While they gave me incredible insights, it definitely would have been better if I reached out to a larger audience for more diversity!

MOVING FORWARD...

Fully developing the features of every page and adding interaction Testing with more users to see what engages them in other apps and create a sample curriculum to challenge the effectiveness of Eatcue's method