Project Overview

Project Name: Lots Live - Real-Time Parking Spot Finder

Role: UX/UI DesignerProject

Type: Mobile Application Design

Summary:Lots Live is a mobile application designed to help users view available parking spots in real time and reserve them ahead of time. The app was created to solve the frustration of arriving at a parking lot only to find it full, especially on busy college campuses. By providing users with up-to-date information on parking availability, Lots Live aims to reduce stress, save time, and improve the overall parking experience.

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Problem Statement

The Challenge: Students and faculty often struggle to find parking on campus, leading to wasted time, increased stress, and even missed classes. The goal was to design an intuitive app that would provide real-time data on available spots and allow users to reserve them.

Key Issues Addressed:

• Reduce uncertainty and frustration associated with parking.
• Provide an efficient way to view and reserve parking spots.
• Offer an intuitive user experience for all users, including those unfamiliar with parking apps.

Key Insight: A seamless, real-time parking app that prioritizes clear navigation and user-friendly functionality would significantly improve the campus parking experience.

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Hypothesis & Goals

Hypothesis: We believed that providing real-time visibility into parking lot availability through a mobile app would reduce parking stress and improve time management for users.

Project Goals:

• Provide real-time updates on parking spot availability.
• Allow users to reserve spots in advance.
• Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Minimize parking-related delays and frustrations.

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Research & Inspiration

1. User Research

To gather insights, I conducted a survey and user interviews targeting students, faculty, and other frequent campus visitors. The research highlighted the primary frustrations with current parking experiences and informed the app's design decisions.

2. Competitor Analysis

Analyzed existing parking apps to identify common pain points and opportunities for improvement. Features like real-time spot tracking, intuitive navigation, and reservation capabilities were prioritized.

Methods Used:

• Card Sorting to determine optimal app navigation and user flow.
• Surveys to understand user needs and frustrations.
• Personas to represent typical users and guide design decisions.

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‍Design Process

1. Ideation & Concept Development

Based on research findings, I designed an app with clear, minimalistic navigation and prominent visibility of real-time parking data. Users could view available spots, reserve parking, and receive notifications.

2. Wireframing & Prototyping

Created low-fidelity wireframes to map out user flows and basic app layout. After multiple iterations, I developed a high-fidelity prototype using Adobe XD, incorporating feedback from initial user testing.

Key Design Considerations:

• Simple navigation to minimize user confusion.
• Visual clarity for real-time spot updates.
• Seamless reservation process.
• Back buttons and consistent visual language for improved user experience.

3. User Testing & Refinement

I conducted usability tests by providing participants with a task list to complete in the prototype. Feedback led to refinements such as adding back buttons, improving consistency in UI elements, and creating a smoother screen flow.

Final Deliverables

High-Fidelity Prototype

An interactive, fully designed app prototype demonstrating the complete user experience from viewing available spots to reserving one.

User Feedback Report

Summarized feedback and outlined design improvements made in response.

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User Interaction & Impact

4. Enhanced User Experience

The streamlined design and clear functionality improved user satisfaction and reduced frustration when finding parking.

Key Results:

• Reduced time spent searching for parking.
• Lower stress levels reported by users.
• Positive feedback on app usability and convenience.

Key Learnings & Reflections

• Real-time data integration is essential for user trust.
• Consistent UI and clear navigation significantly enhance the user experience.
• Continuous user testing and iteration lead to a more refined product.

Lots Live is a testament to how user-centered design can solve everyday problems, providing users with a stress-free parking experience.

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