Expatful App
UX/UI Case Study
TOOLS USED:
Figma, Adobe Illustrator
SKILLS:
User Research, User flow, User journey mapping,
Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability testing, Branding.
Expatful is a project born from the desire to enhance the well-being of people facing the complexities of starting a new life in a foreign country. Starting from UX Research and going through all steps of the Design Thinking process we developed a Mobile App capable to solve the identified pain points of the main target user.
Design Thinking Process
Emphatize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
User Research
User Survey
User Interview
User Persona
Problem Statement
Brainstorming
Card Sorting
User Flow
Wireframing
UI Design
Usability tests
Improvements
Empathize
Understanding the problem
New expats share challenges like loneliness, stress, long-distance relationships, high expectations, language barrier, depression and difficulty making friends in a new place. Research shows that having emotional support is really important to settle in well.
User Survey
We conducted a survey to know how people tipically cope with bad emotional times. Our goal was to understand the type of activities they get involved, who they reach to feel better and if they consider mobile apps as a way to disconnect or search for entertainment. Results show that the majority opt for activities such as cooking, working out and reaching out to friends and family.
Most of our data was from recent expats to Germany, with almost half between 25–34 years old.
57%
60%
56%
of participants have experienced
anxiety
of participants have struggled maintaining focus
on daily activities
of participants have experienced difficulties with sleep
Interviewing users
“Food means a lot to me.
A good meal cheers me up and when I cook something tasty it makes me proud and happy, specially if I enjoy it with my loved ones.”
Fanni, from Hungary
Carlotta, lived in Japan
Martina, from Dubrovnik, Croatia
Michael, from New Jersey, USA
Survey data was not exclusively from expats, therefore, we wanted to delve deeper by conducting interviews with four expats that currently live in Germany.
My routine changed 100% when I moved. I became vegiterian, I lost weight.
Food is my coping mechanism: Chocolate ginger, cup of tea, coffee, reach out to loved ones to share a meal
Food
I try to scape Germany at least one month during winter because it’s too cold and dark.
The lack of sunlight is a struggle. In winter i’m less productive and it’s challenging, depressive. In summer it’s totally the opposite, I go outside much more.
Weather
It took me three years to find a routine that makes me happy.
Mental health issues when moving: Financial worries, language barrier and daily anxieties.
Mobile Apps
A feature to seek places for activities: Right now I wouldn’t use it because I have found my routine, but in the start I think it would have help me.
I struggle with the switch and tried to find that feeling of home in another yoga studio. That’s when I download this type of app.
Useful features for an app: Exercise acitvities, mindfulness exercises, sort by kind of diet, Task lists, create routines, memberships, Art galleries.
Clustering interview
insights
Activities
I really enjoy cooking and I use this activity to disconnect.
I move a lot now, I am a fitness instructor, I walk a lot too. Back home I was not moving so much.
To help me in struggles I meet with people, go running in the morning or for a walk. I also like hot baths but now we have a shower.
Mental health
Frustration
Experiences emotional imbalances due to the adaption to the new reality.
Goal
Enhancing mental and physical health, finding experiences and settling a routine in the new location.
User persona
Rosi, from Monterrey to Potsdam
Rosa Guadalupe (32) is an Engineer from Monterrey, Mexico that lives in Potsdam, Germany. She loves the taste of warmth coffee, working out and meeting with friends. These simple joys help her feel at home every day.
While indoor activities brings her comfort, Rosi is excited to explore her new city in Germany. She’s looking for practices to help adapt and build a fulfilling life in her fresh chapter.
User flow
Wireframes
To address user tests feedback effectively, we engaged in several rounds of Mid-Fidelity wireframes to refine our design. Our goal was making self explanatory screens, ensuring the user could clearly understand all the steps and make the decisions as quickly as possible.
We opted for a minimalistic and versatile typography for the text, the Barlow.
The logo is created from the typography MuseoModerno. We loved the movement sensation of it’s X and we added sun rays as a symbolism of the new beggining expats face.
We paired it with lively purple and salmon colors to achieve a fun and vivid appearance.
To create a cozy and bright feel, we dedicated time to select the icons and crafting image collages with playful doodling.
Brand identity
Final solution
The final solution is Expatful, an App capable of solving all the user pain points detected during the project. The App includes a series of Onboarding questions to personalize the user's interests, a Today and Explore screens, challenges and activities, a Community Space and the user's profile and settings area.
If the user doesn’t find what they are looking for they can shuffle ideas and will receive three new personalized suggestions.
In the Explore search bar the user can specify their search by word or filter according to culture, language or health concern.
Depending on their mood or the weather the user can also filter according to whether they prefer to stay at home or explore other places.
Shuffle ideas
Search activities
Home/Outdoor
Daily suggestions of personalized activities and challenges. The user can directly access the activity or save it for later
Recommended activities
Let’s work together!
CONTACT