Project Overview

The Ameru platform aims to simplify client onboarding, speed up the leasing process, and identify/prevent fraud while expanding the client base without raising costs. The app helps the surety and insurance sector make better decisions and grow by providing transparency, speed, and trust to the leasing market.

I got contacted by Karin, co-owner of the brand, to help Ameru create a proper platform for their users, after I received their assets I analyzed all the visuals and the information and decided to give them a hand!

Research shows that the online leasing and real estate market in Latin America is disorganized and lacks security measures.

Many services lack trust, security, and proper customer support. Ameru saw an opportunity to address this pain point and provide a user-friendly solution.

Create a User-Centric Experience: We prioritize the needs and preferences of our users by developing an intuitive platform that offers personalized property recommendations, seamless navigation, and simplified transaction processes.

Foster Trust and Transparency: By implementing stringent identity verification measures and promoting open communication channels, we aim to build trust among all stakeholders, fostering a secure and reliable real estate ecosystem.

Streamline processes: By integrating various real estate services and automating repetitive tasks, we seek to streamline the entire property transaction journey, reducing time and effort for both buyers and sellers.

Create a visually appealing platform: Initially having a low-fi prototype as sketches and converting that into mid & high fidelity prototype.

Find a reliable platform to search for properties.

Have access to accurate and up-to-date property information.

Ensure the security of personal information during the property search and transaction process.

Difficulty in finding trustworthy property listing online.

Concerns about sharing personal and financial information on digital platforms.

Concerns about fraud or scams during the process.

Maria is looking for a reliable platform to search for properties and access accurate and up-to-date property information. She is concerned about sharing personal and financial information on digital platforms and is frustrated with the difficulty of finding trustworthy property listings online. She hopes to ensue the security of personal information during the property search and transaction process.

Connect with potential buyers and sellers in a more efficient manner.

Improve the overall client experience and build trust in the real estate industry.

Increase his productivity and streamline administrative tasks.

Access reliable market data and property information to better serve clients.

Difficulty in managing and organizing client inquiries and property listings.

Limited visibility in reaching potential clients.

Time-consuming administrative tasks that take away from client interactions.

Maria is looking for a reliable platform to search for properties and access accurate and up-to-date property information. She is concerned about sharing personal and financial information on digital platforms and is frustrated with the difficulty of finding trustworthy property listings online. She hopes to ensue the security of personal information during the property search and transaction process.

After settling up the overall environment of what the potential users would be, we decided to start planning their journey through the platform.

To outline the process for both customer users and surety managers I created two flow diagrams in order to organize and illustrate the overall experience.

This flow represents the tenant journey from accessing the platform and registering, to completing their profile and having access to their information/process dashboard.

This is a simple flow that represents how surety would manage client information navigating through the dashboard using different tabs. All information should be accessible and easy to find.

After planning the overall navigation and looking at the low-fidelity wireframes provided, I could tackle the design of the high-fidelity prototype. This will allows us to visualize and test the product to validate our ideas and iterations. We also had as an objective the creation of a style guide that reflects Ameru's values and vision, while also providing a framework for consistent brand messaging across all channels. We believe that this style guide will help Ameru to build a strong brand identity and connect with their target audience effectively.

I picked an 8-pixel grid for the project and set the margins withing groups of 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40, with margins between groups at 32, 40, 48, 56, 72, and 96.

To validate our solution, we created a high-fidelity prototype based on low-fidelity sketches provided by Ameru. The high-fidelity prototype was an important step in ensuring that the final product meets the needs of the target audience and delivers a seamless user experience. The goal of the prototype was to test different solutions to various features. By doing so, we wanted to be able to identify potential issues and refine the design before moving forward with development.

This report evaluates and improves the onboarding process and the dashboard used for reviewing applicant data. The testing process included two iterations for the onboarding process and three for the dashboard, incorporating user feedback to enhance the user experience and identify usability issues.

Usability testing sessions were conducted with a diverse group of participants, including potential homebuyers, real estate agents, and other stakeholders. The sessions involved a combination of in-person and remote testing, utilizing a think-aloud protocol to gather qualitative insights and observations. Participants were given specific tasks to complete, and their interactions with the platform were observed and recorded. Data collected during the testing sessions included user feedback, observations, and task completion metrics.

a. Iteration 1: Findings: Participants encountered difficulties in understanding the onboarding steps and providing the necessary information due to unclear instructions and ambiguous labels. Improvements Made: Clear and concise instructions were added to guide users through each step of the onboarding process. Labels were revised to be more explicit and understandable, reducing confusion and improving task completion rates.

b. Iteration 2: Findings: Users expressed frustration with the length of the onboarding process and the excessive amount of information required. Some participants also reported with not understanding the verification process. Improvements Made: The onboarding process was streamlined by compiling the number of required fields into fewer sections. The verification process was optimized to be more standardized to help users understand.

a. Iteration 1: Findings: Agents reported difficulty in navigating the dashboard and accessing applicant data efficiently. The layout was deemed cluttered, leading to confusion and reduced productivity. Improvements Made: The dashboard layout was redesigned with a focus on clarity and organization. Data visualization elements were introduced to provide a quick overview of applicant information. The navigation was simplified, and filtering options were added to improve search functionality.

b. Iteration 2: Findings: Agents desired a more compact options to navigate the information. Improvements Made: Additional customization features were added, allowing agents to adjust the dashboard layout, choose preferred data display options, and set personalized notifications, enhancing the flexibility and user satisfaction.

Firstly, working with a real estate platform allowed me to understand the importance of having a user-centered approach when creating a platform that caters to a specific industry. The personas and flow diagrams helped me visualize the user journey and identify pain points that needed to be addressed. Secondly, conducting usability testing sessions allowed me to gather user feedback and make necessary improvements to the onboarding process and dashboard design. Additionally, wireframing and creating high-fidelity prototypes helped me develop my design skills and create visually appealing platforms in collaboration with stakeholders. Lastly, working with a co-owner of the brand provided insights into the importance of effective communication and collaboration to ensure a successful project outcome. In future projects, I aim to continue prioritizing user needs and preferences and work closely with stakeholders to ensure their vision is met while creating a user-friendly platform.

This was a challenging project when it came to creating a catered platform that addressed the pain points of the leasing market in Latin America. Working with the pre-made research, understanding what the objective of the business is and directing that to make a user-centered platform proved to be a difficult process to accomplish by myself, but it was a great learning opportunity!