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The Background

You find yourself in a new city, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and unfamiliar streets. Perhaps it's not your first time navigating a move, but each transition brings its own set of challenges and uncertainties. For me, it was a series of domestic and international moves that led me to this realization: Starting over is isolating and daunting!

Anyone out there?

Like many others in my situation, I turned to technology in search of connection. I tried everything from dating apps to social media platforms, hoping to find a community of like-minded individuals who understood the unique journey of starting anew.

But as I scoured the internet, I came up empty-handed.  Sure, there were apps for mothers and groups for women who traveled, but nothing quite captured the essence of what I was searching for, a space where women navigating life's transitions could come together to support and uplift one another.

Then, it hit me: What if there was a meetup-style platform specifically designed for women like me? A place where we could come together to share stories, swap tips, and forge friendships without the pressure of romantic expectations. And so, the idea for Roamtribe was born.

— A digital sanctuary where woman and non binary humans from all walks of life could come together to find solace, support, and sisterhood. It's more than just a social media platform; it's a lifeline for those navigating the twists and turns of life's journey.

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Millennials and Gen Z are the loneliest generations. Women especially report having few or no friends, and struggle to make real-world connections.

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The Audience

• Millennials and younger generations
• Women and non-male identifying genders
• Those seeking community, navigating relocation or life transitions.

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The Process

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Empathize

I conducted in-depth interviews with five participants and conducted a survey with 20 people.

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Interview Questions:

1. Key questions related to demographics such as age, gender, family size, location, and occupation.‍
2. What is the primary reason for your move or relocation?‍
3. What were the general stressors and are there any specific incidents that stand out as being particularly stressful? ‍
4. How did you navigate these moments?‍
5. Were there any specific tools or apps that you used as a method to alleviate the stress?‍
6. What specifically did you use them for?‍
7. What products or features would have been the most useful for you during this time?‍‍
8. Is there anything else that we haven’t covered that you would like to share?‍

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Define

Affinity Mapping research shows most participants struggled to form connections in new locations, often relying on social platforms for community building.

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While participants relocated seeking lifestyle improvements, they faced significant social connection challenges and used platforms like Facebook and Instagram for community engagement and item exchanges.

1. Loneliness and isolation or difficulty making friends or new real life connections was a common stressor for participants.
2. Relocation to achieve a better quality of life and an overall need for change was a shared motivation.
3. The majority of participants used Facebook or Instagram as a tool to make new connections, and to buy/sell/or swap second-hand items as a means to downsize prior to moving or to furnish their new home after relocation.

Most important takeaway: A key insight from our research is that the majority of participants experienced difficulty meeting new people and forming connections in their new locations. Many turned to social platforms like Facebook to overcome these barriers, using them to connect with others, buy, sell, or swap second-hand items as part of the downsizing process or to furnish their new homes. This underscores the need for solutions that help people foster meaningful relationships and create a sense of community in new environments.

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User Persona

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POV Statement

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How might we help people like Casey who may have a harder time making new connections?

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Develop

Brainstorming

As I delved into the creative process, I began with humble sketches, evolving them into storyboards, and finally shaping them into low-fidelity wireframes, laying the foundation for Roamtribe's intuitive user experience.

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Sitemap

I started mapping out the navigation for Roamtribe, wanting it to feel like a cozy neighborhood for friends. I wanted every click to feel natural and welcoming, making sure to include features that truly solve problems and support individuals.

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Moodboard

I chose colors, images, and fonts that felt warm and inviting, aiming to capture the spirit of empowerment, adventure, inclusivity, and community.

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I also chose colors that felt inclusive to people who may not identify as a woman or someone very feminine, ensuring the platform feels welcoming and supportive for everyone.

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Typography

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Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Deliver

High Fidelity Wireframes

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Prototyping

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Usability Testing

Participants were invited to test two User Flows: one for returning users joining a group, and another for joining an event.

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Analysis

During usability testing, it was observed that users frequently clicked on "Sign Up" instead of "Login." This indicates a potential confusion or a mismatch between user expectations and the interface design.

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I iterated the placement and wording of the "Sign Up" and "Login" buttons to clarify their actions and reduce confusion during usability testing on the Roamtribe platform. I also corrected the link error on the search navigation bar.

Looking back, I would have loved to delve deeper into testing one of our most unique features: Roamnow. Its uniqueness sets us apart from similar platforms, and exploring its potential further in testing could have unlocked even more magic. Additionally, I would have prioritized testing the onboarding process more extensively. This crucial step allows users to customize their experience from the start, and refining it further could have ensured an even smoother and more personalized journey for every person.

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Key Takeaways

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