Good Living

Good Living

Apartment Search for International Students – User-Centered, Accessible, and Co-Created

Apartment Search for International Students – User-Centered, Accessible, and Co-Created

Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm fragt: "Do you want to live alone or in a WG live?". Darunter zwei graue Buttons mit weißer Schrift: "WG" und "Single", jeweils mit einem kleinen blauen Info-Symbol. Der Hintergrund zeigt unscharf ein Wohnzimmer mit Sofa, Tisch und Lampe. Die iPhone-Statusleiste oben ist sichtbar.
Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm zeigt die Startseite der "GoodLiving"-App. Ein stilisiertes Haus-Symbol mit Pfeil und der Schriftzug "GoodLiving" sind mittig platziert. Darunter befinden sich "Login" und "Register" Buttons. Der Hintergrund zeigt ein helles Wohnzimmer mit Sofa, Tisch, Stuhl und Fenstern. Die iPhone-Statusleiste oben zeigt Uhrzeit, WLAN und Akku.

Objective

International students often face major challenges when looking for housing in Germany. Good Living was developed to make this process more accessible through clear language, simple navigation, and targeted information—offering guidance and orientation from the start.

Participatory Design

Participatory design actively involves users in the development process. Their experiences and perspectives directly shape the design, resulting in solutions that are closely aligned with real user needs.

Participatory Design

Participatory design actively involves users in the development process. Their experiences and perspectives directly shape the design, resulting in solutions that are closely aligned with real user needs.

Target Group

The app is aimed at international students moving to Germany who are looking for housing—especially those with limited language skills and little experience with the German housing market.

Target Group

The app is aimed at international students moving to Germany who are looking for housing—especially those with limited language skills and little experience with the German housing market.

Cultural Probes

Using cultural probes such as questionnaires and diaries, we gathered insights into the daily lives and needs of the target group. This method helped uncover personal experiences and informed evidence-based design decisions.

Cultural Probes

Using cultural probes such as questionnaires and diaries, we gathered insights into the daily lives and needs of the target group. This method helped uncover personal experiences and informed evidence-based design decisions.

User Story

During a co-creation workshop, we collaborated with our target audience to develop a detailed user story that reflects the entire apartment search journey. The insights gathered were directly integrated into the user-centered design process.

User Flow

The user flow outlines all interactions within the app—from login to apartment selection—and defines the logical structure. It serves as the foundation for a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Ein gelber Notizzettel mit einer blauen Reißzwecke zeigt eine User Story-Vorlage: "As a <role> I want <goal> so that <benefit>". Daneben steht "Apartments". Darunter sind Akzeptanzkriterien aufgelistet: "List apartments", "Show single or share", "Type: hostel, private", "Price", "Pictures", "Contact", "Authorization". Ein Beispielsatz darunter lautet: "As a new international student I want an application that lists apartments so that it's easier to find apartments." Weitere Sätze beschreiben die Schwierigkeiten und Bedürfnisse eines internationalen Studenten bei der Wohnungssuche.

User Story

During a co-creation workshop, we collaborated with our target audience to develop a detailed user story that reflects the entire apartment search journey. The insights gathered were directly integrated into the user-centered design process.

Design-entscheidungen

The user flow outlines all interactions within the app—from login to apartment selection—and defines the logical structure. It serves as the foundation for a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Ein gelber Notizzettel mit einer blauen Reißzwecke zeigt eine User Story-Vorlage: "As a <role> I want <goal> so that <benefit>". Daneben steht "Apartments". Darunter sind Akzeptanzkriterien aufgelistet: "List apartments", "Show single or share", "Type: hostel, private", "Price", "Pictures", "Contact", "Authorization". Ein Beispielsatz darunter lautet: "As a new international student I want an application that lists apartments so that it's easier to find apartments." Weitere Sätze beschreiben die Schwierigkeiten und Bedürfnisse eines internationalen Studenten bei der Wohnungssuche.

Prototype

An interactive prototype was created using Adobe XD, covering the full process from initial browsing to apartment details. The app is deliberately designed in English to reduce language barriers. Technical terms are explained in-app, and small info icons enhance clarity without overwhelming the interface. Features like filtering options, a favorites list, and intuitive navigation make the housing search efficient and easy to follow.

Prototype

An interactive prototype was created using Adobe XD, covering the full process from initial browsing to apartment details. The app is deliberately designed in English to reduce language barriers. Technical terms are explained in-app, and small info icons enhance clarity without overwhelming the interface. Features like filtering options, a favorites list, and intuitive navigation make the housing search efficient and easy to follow.

User Testing

The prototype was tested in a controlled environment with members of the target group to assess usability and clarity. Feedback confirmed the intuitive nature of the interface and identified opportunities for improvement—such as icon clarity and swipe gestures. These insights were incorporated directly into the next design iteration, further strengthening the user-centered focus.

User Testing

The prototype was tested in a controlled environment with members of the target group to assess usability and clarity. Feedback confirmed the intuitive nature of the interface and identified opportunities for improvement—such as icon clarity and swipe gestures. These insights were incorporated directly into the next design iteration, further strengthening the user-centered focus.

Conclusion

Good Living demonstrates how participatory design can lead to an app that not only functions well technically but also directly addresses real user challenges. Ongoing collaboration with users, hands-on design methods, and continuous testing contributed significantly to the quality of the final product. This project combined empathy, strategy, and design thinking—and became a defining experience in my journey as a UX/UI designer.

Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm zeigt eine Definition von "Wohngemeinschaft" (WG) als Wohnform, bei der mehrere Personen ein Haus oder eine Wohnung teilen und Kosten aufteilen, typischerweise mit gemeinsamen Bereichen. Die Definition in weißer Schrift erscheint in einem dunklen Overlay-Fenster mit einem Schließen-Button.
Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm zeigt drei Apartmentvorschläge mit Bildern und Details: Anzahl der Zimmer, Größe, Lage und Preis. Die Überschrift lautet "These apartments might suit you." Die erste Option hat 3 Zimmer im Zentrum für 850€. Die zweite hat 2 Zimmer in der Innenstadt für 700€. Die dritte hat 1 Zimmer im Zentrum für 300€.
Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm zeigt Details für ein "Apartment Downtown" mit einem Bild des Innenhofs. Informationen umfassen 2 Zimmer, 70 qm, Lage Innenstadt, Preis 900€ und eine abgeschnittene Beschreibung. Unten Aufforderung zum Wischen nach rechts bei Gefallen.
Ein Smartphone-Bildschirm zeigt die "Your Favorites"-Seite einer App mit einem Stern-Gesicht-Symbol oben. Darunter ist eine favorisierte Wohnung mit Bild und Details: 2 Zimmer, 70 qm, Innenstadt, 700€, mit einem Sprechblasensymbol daneben.

© Maria Theresia Alves Hengstl. 2025

Impressum

© Maria T. A. Hengstl. 2025

Impressum