SALUT
Helping nomads find groups with people who share the same interests wherever they are
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SALUT is an app designed for individuals who are relocating to new countries (nomads) and eager to connect socially. With SALUT, users can effortlessly become part of groups with similar interests, all determined by their chosen location, hobbies, and languages.
This selection process opens up a diverse selection of groups, enabling users to swiftly engage and embark on their socializing journey.
Combining my proficiency in UX design with my software engineering background, I realized a 3 months project that I was passionate about to graduate from my studies in software engineering. This project was more than a mere showcase of front-end and back-end capabilities; it aimed to build a meaningful platform that solved real nomads’ needs.
By applying a comprehensive approach encompassing the UX design double diamond process, UI design, and full-stack development, I was able to navigate the project from conceptualization to implementation, ensuring its relevance and usability for potential users.
My contributions encompassed a wide range of responsibilities in the project's various stages:
Living abroad is an amazing experience, but it also comes with its challenges, including loneliness. Many nomads share the same struggle in meeting new people when they reach their new location leading to feeling lonely. As a nomad myself, I can tell that I have experienced this problem many times. That’s why, I chose this problem space for my capstone project.
Nomads struggle to establish meaningful connections and friendships within their new community. Feeling disconnected from local social circles and support networks can result in loneliness and a sense of not belonging.
Nomads may experience homesickness and a feeling of being disconnected from their usual social networks, impacting their overall well-being
Language barriers can impede nomads’ connection with locals and daily navigation, causing frustration, misunderstandings, and exclusion
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The combination of challenges involving social integration, cultural adaptation, language barriers, and the lack of support systems creates an opportunity for innovative digital solutions. The digital solution I want to create has the potential to address nomads' struggles and build a strong sense of unity and support as they navigate diverse environments and meaningful experiences abroad.
I'm incorporating project tags to simplify how I organize my project's information. These tags act as markers, helping me navigate through different aspects of UX Research while keeping my design thinking process organized and prioritizing what's important.
• Primary research will be made in the form of decontextualized recorded online and in-person interviews.
• Notes will be taken on the side
• Aged between 20-40
• Does not mind being recorded
• Person who has already lived in another country for at least 6 months
I conducted qualitative research by creating a plan that combined structure and exploration to really understand how nomads experience things. I gathered a diverse group of nomads for interviews, where I asked open-ended questions to learn about what challenges they face, what motivates them, and how they behave.
After the interviews, I looked at what people said to find common themes, emotions, and patterns. These insights helped me put together findings that show the issues nomads deal with, how they manage them, and where things could be improved. This way of researching goes beyond just numbers – it lets me connect with nomads' stories and get a deep understanding that will guide me in finding solutions that matter.
In the user research, three key insights emerged as focal points: adaptation, socialization, and loneliness. A prominent theme revealed that many participants sought shared experiences when connecting with others, alongside a common interest in the same hobbies. Additionally, the need for connecting with individuals who speak the same language was highlighted.
Participants also expressed a strong desire to belong in a group to feel surrounded and integrated in another country. These findings underline the significance of facilitating connections based on relatable experiences, mutual interests, and language compatibility, addressing both the challenges of adaptation and the desire for meaningful social interactions.
I've generated around 30 user stories, each acting like a piece of a puzzle in my ideation process. They assist me in determining the features that should be incorporated into the app's task flow. They help me understand what features I should include in the app's steps. They guide me in planning how the app should work, ensuring it's easy for nomads to use.
As a nomad, I want to create a detailed profile specifying my current location, interests, hobbies, and languages on the mobile app and receive personalized group suggestions I can join so that I easily find and connect with like-minded groups when relocating.
As a nomad, I want the app to have a messaging feature that facilitates communication with group members, helping me initiate conversations and plan meetups to build meaningful connections.
As a nomad, I want to be able to view detailed information about each suggested group on the app, such as their activities, members, and upcoming events, so that I can make informed decisions before joining.
When I started wireframing, I wanted to visually map out the structure of the app in a clear and simple way. I began by sketching basic layouts on paper to outline the main sections and how they connect. This helped me grasp the flow and arrangement of different elements. Then, I moved on to digital tools, where I translated these sketches into more refined wireframes.
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When conducting usability testing, I carefully select a diverse group of participants who align with the target user profile. I design scenarios that mimic real-life situations and tasks that users might encounter.
By observing their interactions, I gain insights into how easily they navigate the interface, accomplish tasks, and overall, how well the design aligns with their expectations. I did two rounds of user testing with 5 nomads each so that I could fix any design/ features that impacted the users' experiences negatively.
Here is what I have changed:
Users had difficulty distinguishing between the search and groups pages in the navigation bar.
To enhance clarity, I removed one category and made the search icon larger, positioning it in the center. This simple change resulted in a more intuitive user experience.
Recognizing that users faced challenges clicking on the options cards within the previous layout, I implemented a significant change to enhance user interaction. By enlarging the size of the clickable cards, I addressed the issue of difficulty in clicking accurately.
This modification not only improved the practicality of interaction but also contributed to a cleaner and more streamlined design. The decision to simplify the design further amplified the overall user experience, making the interaction process more straightforward and enjoyable.
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Users found the term "matches" confusing and favored simpler group recommendations. To address this, I revamped the interface with a unified list of suggested groups, eliminating confusion and catering to their desire for simplicity.
Additionally, I introduced a filter feature, responding to users' wish for customized choices. This functionality lets users refine group suggestions by hobbies or languages, empowering them to connect with communities that align with their interests and preferences.
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Throughout the high-fidelity wireframing phase, my focus was on achieving a minimalist design, complemented by a vibrant accent color in bright orange. This color choice holds significant meaning as bright orange symbolizes energy, adaptability, and a sense of adventure.
I deliberately used this color to accentuate important design elements, guiding users' interactions. By infusing the design with this dynamic color, I aimed to create a visually engaging experience that not only maintains a clean and intuitive interface but also resonates with expats' experiences of embracing new horizons and fostering connections in their journeys abroad.
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I took an active role in coding the entire flow of the project up until the messaging functions. This included the development of both the front-end and back-end aspects. I personally built a database from scratch, creating tables that formed the backbone of the application's functionality.
The comprehensive front-end and back-end development folders can be accessed through the provided link, showcasing the meticulous work and attention to detail invested in every stage of the project.
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What I did well
Reflecting on the app's journey, I'm pleased with the user-centered approach I've taken. Testing the app with actual users and incorporating their feedback allowed me to shape the app in a way that truly fits the needs of nomads. Introducing filters for hobbies and languages has made the app more user-friendly and tailored.
What I would do differently
Moving forward, there are some things I'd approach differently. While testing was important, I realized I could keep testing even after the end product was delivered to learn fro how users use it in the real world. It's also a good idea to think about local customs and make sure the app feels at home in different places.
