Apartments.com
Timeline:
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8 weeks (2023)​
Role:
Helps users search for and apply to rental properties
enables users to filter rental listings via a mobile app based on commute time, mode of transport, and multiple destinations - streamlining the apartment search experience and improving decision-making.
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UX/UI Design
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User Research
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Project Management
Tools:
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Figma
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FigJam
Problem
Users often struggle to find rentals that align with their daily commute needs on Apartments.com mobile app, leading to frustration and inefficient searches. Existing real estate platforms lack intuitive tools for filtering apartments based on commute time, forcing users to rely on external apps for travel estimates, disrupting the search experience.
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Key Issues :
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Inconvenient commute planning - Users must manually check commute times using external apps.
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Lack of multi-destination filtering - No option to consider multiple commute locations (e.g., work and school)
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Limited real-time commute insights - No filters that account for traffic data and transportation mode customization within the app.
Project Goal
To enhance the Apartments.com mobile app by integrating a commute filter that allows users to:
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Set commute preferences based on destination, mode of transport, and travel time.
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View apartment listings filtered by commute times.
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Compare multiple destinations (e.g., work and grocery store) within the app. This feature aims to improve the apartment search experience by reducing friction, improving decision-making, and increasing user engagement.
Empathize
User Research
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67% of users prioritize commute time over apartment size. ​
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42% of users exit the app to check commute details elsewhere.​
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78% of users prefer a built-in commute calculation feature.
User Needs & Challenges
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Renters often spend weeks searching for rental properties, switching between multiple platforms to manually check commute times, resulting in a disjointed and frustrating experience.
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Challenges in finding apartments based on commute include the lack of integrated commute filters, the need for manual research on travel times, and the inability to compare multiple destinations within the app.
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Top rental platforms like Zillow and Redfin provide extensive property details but lack built-in, commute-based search features, forcing users to rely on external apps for travel estimates.​
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The Commute Filter enhances the Apartments.com experience by allowing users to filter listings based on commute preferences, making the search process faster, more efficient, and user-friendly.
Project Goal
To enhance the Apartment.com mobile app by integrating a commute filter that enables users to :
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Set commute preferences based on destination, mode of transport, and travel time.
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View apartment listing filtered by commute times.
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Compare multiple destinations (e.g., work and grocery store) within the app. This feature aims to improve the apartment search experience by reducing friction, improving decision-making, and increasing user engagement.
Empathize
Persona
I developed a primary persona to guide the design of the Commute Filter: Cory, a 31-year-old HVAC technician from Boston, who needs to find an apartment that minimizes commute time for both himself and his spouse but struggles with manually checking travel times. This feature simplifies his search by filtering listings based on commute preferences, making the process faster and more efficient.
Ideate
User Flow
By mapping out his user flow, the Commute Filter ensures a seamless experience, allowing users to set commute preferences, add multiple destinations, and instantly filter listings.
Design & Prototype
Design System
Working within Apartments.com's design system, I ensured consistent typography, colors, and UI elements while refining the layout for better usability. A clean, minimal interface keeps the focus on helping users quickly compare commute times and find the best rental options.
Hi-Fidelity Wireframes
Prototype
Integrating the Commute Filter
​​The Commute Filter was designed to make rental property searches more intuitive by allowing users to filter listings based on commute time, transportation mode, and multiple destinations. With just a few taps, renters can find apartments that align with their daily travel needs without leaving the app.
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The content strategy focused on identifying the most valuable commute-related information based on user feedback and structuring the UI to present travel times clearly, ensuring a seamless and efficient search experience.
Adding and Editing Travel Time
Users can input and adjust commute details directly within listings, viewing real-time travel estimates based on their destination and chosen mode of transportation. This feature ensures flexibility and enables quick comparisons, making apartment hunting more efficient and personalized.​​
Test & Implement
Usability Testing
Number of Participants: 5
Interview Time: 30 - 50 minutes
Age Group : 25 - 35
Insights & Feedback
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90% of users successfully applied the commute filter without assistance, highlighting its intuitive design.
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75% of users preferred multi-destination support, emphasizing the need to compare commute times for work, school, and other locations.​
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Users appreciated real-time traffic insights, but some requested clearer visual indicators for commute variations.
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Filtering by commute time reduced search frustration, with users noting that it saved time and improved decision-making.
"Seeing commute times directly in the listings helps me prioritize options without extra research."
"I love that I don't have to switch between apps to check my commute. It saves me time."
“The filter is simple to use, but I'd like a clearer way to see commute variations with and without traffic.”
“it's really intuitive. I didn't need any instructions to figure out how to set my commute preferences."​
Iterations
Remove 'Distance' option
The "Distance" filter caused confusion, as 20% of users found it unnecessary, preferring commute time over mileage. Additionally, 30% of participants struggled with the filter page layout, making the selection process unclear. To address these issues:
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Removed the "Distance" filter to streamline the search experience and prioritize commute time.
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Improved the commute filter UI for better clarity and usability.
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Refined filtering options to enable seamless comparison of travel times across different transportation modes.
Redesign Travel Time
During usability testing, users suggested adding an option to include multiple destinations. Additionally, removing the "with and without traffic" options was necessary, as users found them overwhelming and unnecessary for decision-making.
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Added the ability to input multiple destinations, allowing users to compare commute times seamlessly.
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Removed the "with and without traffic" display, simplifying the UI and reducing cognitive overload.
Conclusion
Next Steps
To further enhance the Commute Filter on Apartments.com mobile app, the following improvements could be explored:​
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Conduct additional usability testing to refine UI interactions and optimize filtering efficiency.
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Expand customization options by allowing users to set commute preferences based on specific times of the day.
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Improve accessibility features to ensure all users, including those with disabilities, can easily navigate and use the filter.
Project Takeaways
At the start of this project, my goal was to solve a common renter frustration - finding rental properties that aligns with their daily commute needs. How can we streamline this process? What features provide real value without overwhelming users?
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User feedback drives better design. Testing uncovered critical usability issues that directly shaped feature refinements.
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Customization adds value, but clarity is key. Giving users control is important, but too many options can complicate the decision-making process.
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Searching for rental properties can be overwhelming, but the Commute Filter simplifies the process by seamlessly integrating commute data into the search experience. Adding this feature to an existing platform strengthened my ability to design within constraints, ensuring alignment with Apartments.com's UI and user expectations. This project emphasized balancing innovation with usability to create a more intuitive and efficient search experience.
