House Swap for
Digital Nomads
A mobile app for nomads to swap homes and travel without the cost of hotels
A mobile app for nomads to swap homes and travel without the cost of hotels
After noticing friends posting apartment availability across Berlin, Tokyo, New York, and Buenos Aires on Instagram, this project explores why digital nomads bypass traditional platforms and how trust built through informal networks can be recreated in a structured, peer-to-peer system.
After noticing friends posting apartment availability across Berlin, Tokyo, New York, and Buenos Aires on Instagram, this project explores why digital nomads bypass traditional platforms and how trust built through informal networks can be recreated in a structured, peer-to-peer system.
Role
Role
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
Goal
Goal
Create a platform where strangers feel confident exchanging homes by reducing uncertainty and building trust throughout the process
Create a platform where strangers feel confident exchanging homes by reducing uncertainty and building trust throughout the process
Problem
Problem
Digital nomads post apartment availability on Instagram instead of using traditional rental platforms
Digital nomads post apartment availability on Instagram instead of using traditional rental platforms
Tool
Tool
Figma, Notion, Google Docs, Maze, FigJam
Figma, Notion, Google Docs, Maze, FigJam
Research & Discovery
Research & Discovery
Conducted 6 interviews with people who had relocated across countries and cities, synthesizing findings through affinity mapping to identify what drives housing decisions and where trust breaks down.
Managed to interview 6 people, 2 in person, 4 online.
Mapping and organize the content of 6 interviews with moving to new places experiences
Affinity map from 6 interviews
Affinity map from 6 interviews
Key Findings
Managed to interview 6 people, 2 in person, 4 online.
Mapping and organize the content of 6 interviews with moving to new places experiences
Users defaulted to personal networks because trust was inherited, not evaluated
Lack of verification mechanisms made platform listings feel risky
Remote transactions increased perceived risk due to contracts, deposits, and inability to inspect properties
Familiarity with a city reduced perceived risk more than platform features
Managed to interview 6 people, 2 in person, 4 online.
Mapping and organize the content of 6 interviews with moving to new places experiences
Personas
Personas
Interviews surfaced two primary user types: independent explorers who treat relocation as an opportunity to discover new cities, and space-conscious movers who prioritize comfort and legitimacy when renting remotely.
Interviews surfaced two primary user types: independent explorers who treat relocation as an opportunity to discover new cities, and space-conscious movers who prioritize comfort and legitimacy when renting remotely.
User Flow
User Flow
Primary user journeys: finding and booking a house swap (top) and listing your own apartment (bottom)
Primary user journeys: finding and booking a house swap (top) and listing your own apartment (bottom)
Wireframes
Wireframes
Sketched and iterated through three versions to establish screen structure and content hierarchy before moving into visual design.
Sketched and iterated through three versions to establish screen structure and content hierarchy before moving into visual design.
Visual Identity
Visual Identity
The visual system reinforces the two core product needs: trust and approachability.
The visual system reinforces the two core product needs: trust and approachability.
Logo
Logo
Geometric forms and connecting lines represent movement between spaces and the relationship between users
Geometric forms and connecting lines represent movement between spaces and the relationship between users
Color Palette
Color Palette
Pink conveys warmth and adventure; blue conveys trust and reliability, reflecting the two things users need to feel when swapping homes with strangers
Pink conveys warmth and adventure; blue conveys trust and reliability, reflecting the two things users need to feel when swapping homes with strangers
Typography
Typography
Open Sans provides clean readability across mobile screens while maintaining a friendly, approachable feel that suits a community-driven platform
Open Sans is the best fit to me.
I like the font it's neither too heavy
nor too light, and its height of x
makes it easy to read.
It also aligns well with my brand idea, offering a solid yet relaxed feeling
Iteration
Iteration
User testing revealed gaps in trust, clarity, and communication during key decision points.
User testing revealed gaps in trust, clarity, and communication during key decision points.
Final Design
Final Design
Final screens cover the full booking and listing flow, designed for mobile-first use based on how users naturally moved through tasks during testing.
Final screens cover the full booking and listing flow, designed for mobile-first use based on how users naturally moved through tasks during testing.
Home page & Booking process
Home page & Booking process
Listing your apartment
Listing your apartment
Notification & Confirmation
Notification & Confirmation
Reflection
Reflection
Designing for trust between strangers shaped every decision in this project. Home exchanges require a higher level of confidence than typical transactions, which pushed me to think carefully about verification, reviews, social proof, and clear communication throughout the booking flow.
This project shifted how I think about designing for strangers. Trust is earned through details, not declared through copy. With more time, I'd run competitive analysis earlier to identify differentiation points before designing.