Project Overview
Objective
Provide users who are looking to move abroad a platform in which they can view several different counties visas (digital nomad, golden investment, etc.) that each counties offers to help them determine which country and visa is best for them and their families.
My Role
- UX Research
- UX/UI Design
- Prototyping
- User Testing
Tools
Design Process
Discover
Problem
While there are expat apps out there, they only focus on chatting with other expats; they don't provide information about available visa programs.
Solution
Giving the user information on the country and all the visas (permanent residency, student, etc.) that it has to offer, along with a checklist that they will be able to update while they are getting all the documents in order.
Competitive Analysis
Since there are apps in the market today in regards to chatting with other expats I decided to perform a competitive analysis to gain insight on how they use these apps. This helped me to understand what worked will for the existing apps and what I could also add in for the componet of getting info on the visa and creating a checklist.
User Stories
After analyzing the market and understanding my users problems and goals, 3 user stories were defined.
Ideation
User Flow
Based on the user stories I combined the task into a user flow to understand how the user would navigate through the application
Sketches
Once I had a user flow was created, I created a low fidelity sketch in Balsamiq.
Wireframes
Once I had a solid foundation from the low fidelity wireframes above, I created mid-fidelity wireframes in Sketch. In order to be in compliance with iOS and Material Design requirements I reviewed the guidelines of each and designed my screens accordingly.
iOS Wireframes
Android Wireframes
User Testing
Because user testing helps guide a succesfful design. I created a prototype using invsion and had prespective users test it out.
iOS Feedback
User 1: I think the profile is a nice start, but likely could use some more content. Like "looking for", interests, or maybe something like an "ask me about..." etc
User 3: I would add an image of Portugal on your country information screen, you are trying to sell the country to the user and just having text can cause disinterest.
User 1: The categories on the Portugal page feel a little odd (this is a very personal opinion), but having crypto policy there, but nothing about food, culture, religion, etc feels skewed to me. I think you might derive some category inspiration from a Wikipedia page about countries.
Android Feedback
User 2: The events page's tab on the Android version looks a bit difficult to see which tab I am currently on, as the "Feed" tab is not highlighted enough
User 3: If I’m marked as “Attending,” then I click “Edit RSVP,” why would I then be asked to select “attend event?”
User 2: Where the user is attending the event, the edit RSVP is too far to the left
Design
Style Guide
The visual directions of Let’s Expat! is Clean, Simple and professional. With the look and feel of the brand defined, I created a style guide to maintain consistent UI throught the application
Logo
Color Palette
Typography
Iconography
Final Screens
Onboarding
A easy onboarding in which the user can include info for other expats
Home
View all your Calendar events. Easy access to checklist to keep track
Search for Countries
Users can search any country to get info on the cost of living, history...etc.
Get Info on Visas
Users can view all visas available in each country and get a checklist to start becoming an Expat.
Attend or Create Events
Be able to attend other events with expats or create your own event to help other connect
iOS Screens
Take Aways
While creating this app there are a few things that I would have done differently:
- In the first sketches/wireframes I had messaging other expats in the app. However, I took that feature out after speaking with Expat’s since most do not like messaging others. I do believe this feature is still useful, but instead of reaching out to other expats I plan to add an area in which experts can offer assistance to those looking for assistance.
- The last thing I would change is adding in more of the feedback from my user testing. I did not add all of the feedback in this iteration. Future iteration features can consider adding an ADD/CHANGE to the visa checklist. The current visa checklist is what comes from the country itself. Users though may have to add in extra things (e.i. adoption papers, pet papers or even medical paperwork.