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“In new surroundings, one grows new eyes.”― Marty Rubin
The Local Expat app is designed to simplify the experience of living abroad by connecting expats with local services, communities, and essential resources. Featuring intuitive navigation and cross-language support, the app offers tools for discovering nearby amenities, connecting with fellow expats, and managing daily tasks seamlessly. It’s a comprehensive solution that empowers users to feel at home, no matter where they are in the world.
End to End Project Overview
The end-to-end process of the Local Expat app began with comprehensive user research to understand the unique needs and challenges of expats living abroad. Based on these insights, we defined key user personas and mapped out their journeys to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
Mid- Fidelity Wireframes: Expat Hosting Experience
Next, we developed a strategy that prioritized intuitive navigation, cross-language compatibility, and essential features such as local service discovery, community connections, and streamlined communication tools. This strategy guided the design phase, where we created wireframes, prototypes, and design mockups that were continuously refined through iterative testing and user feedback
Hi- Fidelity Wireframes: Expat Hosting Experience
As a Lead Product Designer on the Local Expat Team, I partnered closely with another UX/UI designer to craft intuitive and user-friendly applications that ensured seamless experiences for all users, regardless of their technical background or familiarity with the platform. Our goal was to develop solutions that were both accessible and engaging, enhancing usability while addressing the unique needs of a global expat community.
From Launch to Growth: Launching the Local Expat App for Global Reach
Finally, we launched the app with a phased rollout, collecting real-world data to monitor performance, make further adjustments, and scale effectively to meet the diverse needs of the expat community.
Web (mid-fi) Deliverables
Local Expat Website Demo
The Expat App website is a fantastic platform for anyone living abroad or planning an adventure away from home. It combines a clean, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation, making it easy to explore local rentals, join communities, and find tailored activities. The website’s vibrant visuals and seamless user experience create a welcoming and engaging space, perfectly catering to the needs of expats looking for a sense of connection and adventure in their new surroundings.
Fun Elements
The Expat App's user interface features a clean and modern design focused on ease of use and visual appeal. The design process involved meticulous icon and logo exploration, resulting in a cohesive visual language that balances clarity and style. With icons that are simple and intuitive, such as location pins and calendars, the app ensures users can navigate effortlessly.
The color palette includes calming and trustworthy hues like teal, green, and coral, reinforcing a sense of community and reliability. Typography choices, such as Gotham Bold, provide a strong, contemporary feel, enhancing readability while complementing the app's visual identity. This thoughtful design approach ensures that every element serves both form and function, creating an engaging and user-friendly experience.
These onboarding screens from the Local Expat app are designed to provide a smooth and welcoming entry for new users. The process begins with a simple sign-up, followed by collecting essential personal information, uploading a profile image, and selecting interests to personalize the user experience. The clean and intuitive interface ensures users can effortlessly navigate and set up their accounts, paving the way for a tailored experience that connects them with local services, communities, and activities in their new environment.
These screens from the Local Expat app showcase the "Book a Stay" feature, designed to simplify the accommodation search and booking process for expats. Users can explore and book rentals in their desired locations, view their scheduled and past rentals, and browse featured options based on their preferences. With an easy-to-navigate interface, the app provides detailed rental information, including pricing, availability, guest details, and add-on options like travel insurance, ensuring a seamless booking experience tailored to the needs of the expat community.
Lastly, changes made to the scheduling screen were mainly focused on the calendar. The other significant update on the screen was the call to action tab “Confirm Appointment”. We updated the border to be more cylindrical to remain consistent with the other clickable tabs in the app. The sorting icon was replaced with one more universally recognized to be more in line with usability guidelines.