UniNest
Simplifying the Roommate Search and Housing Application Process for Students
Rice University Product Design-a-Thon
UX/UI Designer
Spring 2024
2 Days
Tools
Figma
Background
During the Rice University Design-a-Thon in Spring 2024, I took on the challenge of creating a digital solution to address a common problem faced by undergraduate students. Unlike my previous hackathon experience, this was a solo project, giving me the opportunity to explore all aspects of the UX design process from ideation to prototyping. The prompt was simple yet broad: “Design a digital application that addresses a challenge that undergraduate students may face.”
Rather than pursuing a typical app idea, I wanted to create something that felt both personal and impactful. To achieve this, I put myself in the shoes of a new undergraduate student and considered the challenges I might encounter. One major pain point stood out—finding a compatible roommate while navigating a confusing housing application process. This realization inspired me to develop UniNest, a comprehensive roommate-matching and housing application platform designed to streamline the process and create a more user-friendly experience.
User Problem
Universities' current roommate-matching and housing application processes are often disjointed and inefficient. Based on my research, students reported several challenges:
The roommate search and housing applications were hosted on separate platforms, making the process cumbersome.
There were limited filters for finding compatible roommates based on lifestyle preferences, dietary restrictions, or sleep schedules.
The process was time-consuming and confusing, with unclear instructions and communication delays.
Survey responses from students highlighted frustrations with the lack of clarity and personalization in existing solutions. For instance, some students wished for better filtering options to find roommates with similar study habits or dietary preferences, while others found the application process complex and lacking transparency.
Solution
UniNest was designed to streamline both the roommate search and housing application processes into a single app. The platform focuses on personalization and accessibility to make the experience intuitive and efficient.
Key features include:
University Search & Login: Users start by searching for their university. The app theme adapts to the university’s colors, creating a personalized experience. For instance, Rice University’s app theme featured blue accents.
Dashboard & Application: The dashboard displays the current academic year and allows students to complete and submit their housing applications directly within the app.
Roommate Matching: Students can search for roommates using filters such as major, lifestyle preferences, and dietary restrictions. Alternatively, an AI-powered matching feature suggests roommates based on compatibility.
Community Page: A forum-style page where students can post and interact with others on campus-related topics.
Accessibility Options: A sticky accessibility icon allows users to adjust brightness, contrast, and other settings to improve usability for all students.
My Approach
Day 1: Research
Most of Day 1 was dedicated to researching and understanding the user problem and collecting primary resources through self-conducted surveys and interviews. I put together a survey using Google Forms to ensure the app addressed real user needs and posted the link in my university group chat. To get a variety of responses, I conducted two interviews with students from different universities (Texas A&M and The University of Texas at Dallas). The survey data revealed several key insights:
100% of respondents said roommate compatibility was very important.
80% wanted a streamlined process to search for housing and roommates in one place.
Students also noted issues with filtering options and unclear application processes in current solutions.
These insights shaped the core features of UniNest, emphasizing personalization and ease of use. To better empathize with users, I developed two user personas based on my research. This process helped me visualize the challenges and frustrations of real users, allowing me to design solutions that address their specific needs.
Day 2: Design
The majority of Day 2 and a little bit of Day 1 was dedicated to designing. I followed a structured UX process, starting with ideation and user personas, and then moving to wireframes and high-fidelity designs in Figma.
Ideation & Wireframes
I sketched quick wireframes and user personas to map out the app’s layout and understand user needs and frustrations. These wireframes helped me visualize how users would navigate the app and complete key tasks like submitting applications or finding roommates.
High-Fidelity Designs
Using Figma, I created polished designs that reflected the app’s functionality and branding. Each university’s theme color would be reflected throughout the app to create a personalized experience for students.
Searching and Logging to School Account
b. Application Process
c. Roommate Search + Resource
d. Messages and Notification
e. Community and Profile
Prototype: Once I had the designs ready, I used Figma to prototype them to understand better the flow a user might take. I linked buttons with pages, so when a certain button was pressed, a certain action would happen, or the user would see another page. This helped me see the functionality without any code.
Video Walkthrough
Challenges Faced
Working solo on this project presented its own set of challenges. I had to manage my time effectively, balancing design work, research, and prototyping within the tight 2-day deadline. Additionally, I was unfamiliar with the housing process at universities since I don’t live on campus, so I had to rely on primary and secondary research to gain insights.
Future Enhancements
While UniNest addresses core pain points for students, there’s room for further development to make the platform even more impactful and scalable. Here are some future enhancements I envision:
Developing a Fully Functional Web and Mobile App: Currently, UniNest is a high-fidelity prototype. The next logical step is to code the app and develop a fully functional platform. Building both web and mobile versions would improve accessibility and usability, allowing students to interact with the app on any device. Key technologies could include React for front-end development, Firebase for backend services, and AI models to improve roommate matching.
Enhancing the AI Matching Algorithm: While the AI filtering feature is already part of the prototype, it can be enhanced by incorporating more data points to improve accuracy. For example, the algorithm could take into account personality traits, study habits, noise preferences, and cleanliness levels based on users' interactions and feedback. Additionally, the AI could learn from past matches to improve future recommendations, making the process smarter over time.
Verified Review System for Roommate Matches: Implementing a review system where users can leave verified feedback on their roommates would add a layer of trust to the platform. This feature would help students make more informed decisions when selecting a roommate and reduce the risk of mismatched living situations.
Partnering with Universities to Integrate with Existing Systems: To increase adoption, a partnership with universities could help integrate UniNest into existing campus systems like student portals, housing platforms, and orientation apps. This would make the app more accessible to students and ensure it becomes part of the essential tools provided by universities. Integration with university authentication systems could further streamline the login process and improve security.
Reflections
Working on UniNest was an incredible learning experience that pushed me to think beyond the surface-level problems students face. Unlike my previous group hackathon, this solo project gave me the opportunity to explore the entire UX design process independently, from research and ideation to high-fidelity prototyping.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of empathy in design. Although I don’t live on campus, I made a conscious effort to understand the housing and roommate challenges students encounter. Conducting interviews and surveys provided valuable insights into user pain points, which helped me design a solution that truly addresses their needs.
Another takeaway was the value of time management and planning. With only two days to complete the project, I had to allocate my time efficiently to balance research, design, and prototyping. It taught me how to handle tight deadlines without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
Finally, UniNest reaffirmed my belief that technology can improve student life in meaningful ways. I’m excited about the potential of this app to become a real-world solution, and I look forward to further developing it—either independently or in partnership with universities—to bring it to life.
