Welcome to RELO.
What is RELO?
RELO is a relocation-based app for people of marginalized communities to find housing and community in unfamiliar areas they may move to. RELO also offers a range of social features to help users connect with others within their same community. Moving to a new country can often mean leaving behind familiar faces and support systems. However, with RELO, users can find and connect with others who share similar experiences, cultures, and backgrounds. The app's social features include community groups, events, and forums, where users can interact with each other, share advice, and build meaningful relationships. RELO is not just a housing app; it is a platform that fosters a sense of belonging and community for individuals from marginalized communities who are relocating abroad.
Logan Barnes
Logan Barnes
Wendy Dith
Wendy Dith
Melissa Vizcaya
Melissa Vizcaya
Research
Assumptions
Interviews
Surveys
Data Compiling
Goal Setting
Competitor Research
Lo-Fi
Wireframing
User-Flow
User-Journey
Personas
Refinements
Lo-Fi v.2
Moodboarding
Prototyping
User Testing
Hi-fi
Illustrations
Final Tweaks
Final
Promo Video
Mockups
Pitch
Survey Results
Our research showed us that most people had to relocate due to school, work, and parents. Other reasons included better opportunities, displacement, relationships, and retirement.
The most common factors that discourage people from relocating include leaving friends/family, financial issues, language, visas/paperwork and cultural adjustments.
Interviews
We conducted interviews with 5 people of marginalized communities who have relocated. The interviews gave us insight into the experiences and struggles of those who are marginalized and have moved from their homes.
We found that most people struggled with language barriers, adapting to the culture and having trouble connecting with others/finding community.
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-Relocated to different countries such as Chile and Israel
-Was easier to blend in because they were white but did experience harrassment
-Struggled with language barriers
-Social aspect of moving was difficult
-Preferred an app or website that would allow assistance
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-Relocated from Japan to U.S. for school
-Experienced minor discrimination
-Communication/language, culture, and leaving family + friends were the most difficult part of moving
-Had easier time connecting with other international students
-Would like a platform where people can share experiences
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-Relocated from Cambodia to U.S.
-Moved to seek refuge from war and for more opportunities
-Family were main resources for relocation since there was a lack of internet
-Leaving friends+family, learning English and adapting to the culture were the most difficult
-Would want language help, in person assistance with other people who have similar experiences
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-Relocated from Mexico to U.S.
-Moved for better opportunities and life
-Experienced discrimination and racism
-Did not have any resources/assistance, lack of internet
-Did not know the culture, language and had no family
-Found community through jobs
-Wants resources to help find jobs, culture etc.
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-Relocated from Mexico to U.S.
-Moved for better opportunities and experiences
-Experienced racism and language barriers
-There were no resources available during the time of relocation
-Difficult to leave family and life behind
-Would want in person resources to help with language, culture and community+advice
Direct Competitors
Apps or Media Platforms that compete directly with the client or have a very similar layout and operation system
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Relocation is a life-changing event. Mobility Empowered' RelocateME app assists relocating employees and their family navigate every stage of their relocation by connecting employees, in real- time, to their relocation services, information, dates and contacts. RelocateME Mobile is secure, safe and free for all relocating employees of Mobility Empowered's clients.
RelocateME users can:
Order services they need
• Submit expenses for reimbursement
• Ability to photograph and upload receipts
• Review expense reports and submitted receipts
• Access move management shipments and key dates
• Review temporary living housing details and key dates
• Gain access to home sale information
• Gain Access to Destination Country Content
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Relocity takes the stress out of moving and settling into a new city. Get advice, plan your journey, and access the information, resources, and services you need for a successful relocation.
Relocity combines technology with personal attention and service to provide a customized, convenient, and stress-free experience. From neighborhood tours and school information to health and wellness recommendations and domestic assistance, we go far beyond the basics with features and services that connect you with your community, enhance your lifestyle, and make you feel at home.
With Relocity, users are able to:
• Book local experts, available on-demand, to help with all your ...relocation needs
• Gain access to a wealth of curated resources,including layered, ...interactive maps of your new city and its neighborhoods
• Browse and schedule a variety of services for every aspect of your ...relocation
• Schedule host-guided, in-person home rental tours to find the perfect ...home
Indirect Competitors
Apps or Media Platforms that serve similar purposes to those found in the client application
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RelocateGuru is an app to help people moving, find friends and get tips, advice and recommendations from those who know the city the best, the locals! We believe that everyone should feel that they belong no matter how far you move. Whether you are planning a move, visiting for work or lived somewhere for years, RelocateGuru is here to help match you to information crowdsourced by locals where you can ask questions and make connections, so you can feel like a local BEFORE you get there!
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The RefAid mobile app shows migrants, refugees and those who help them where services are near them – on a map with a very simple interface. A web based content management and communication system allows trusted aid organizations to manage and update their services and to get their critical aid to where it is most urgently needed.
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While geared toward refugees, Settle In offers resources useful to anyone looking to set up a residence in the United States from another country. The app provides information on housing provisions, looking for a job, and practicing a language. Information is presented in several ways, including through quizzes and games. Settle In, created by refugee support program Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), is aimed at providing cultural orientation tools — the skills and resources needed to adapt to life in the US.
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FindHello was created by non-profit USAHello to provide quick access for new arrivals to find services and resources, from lawyers, to childcare, to maps. USAHello was founded to provide digital resources to help immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers settle into their new communities. The app focuses on connecting users with local services on a community level.
User Personas
Defining the Problem
Relocating to a new country can be a stressful process.
The sheer amount of information one needs to know is overwhelming
Finding trustworthy resources relevant to the situations of people part of historically-marginalized communities is tough
Developing a new support network and establishing a sense of belonging in a new environment is difficult
Framing Hypothesis
Connect relocated individuals to others within their marginalized community through in-person events and culturally centered businesses.
(App or product) will provide marginalized individuals looking to relocate to a new country, assistance with the paperwork process of moving.
(App) allows marginalized individuals to find resources that will assist them with housing, language, job search and more.
Pain points & Opportunities
Currently, the market lacked an app or website that focused on the community aspect of the relocation.
Any apps that were centered around relocation focused on language assistance or help with paperwork.
Common Issues we identified with the relocation process were:
Difficulty meeting people
Trouble finding helpful resources in a new area with helpful language assistance
Finding events with people who have also relocated is difficult.
Some apps cover basic or elementary information that isn’t actually helpful.
In existing apps, you can’t ask questions and can only explore topics the app provides.
All these pain points in the relocation process serve as opportunities for us to provide solutions that solve these problems that are common in the relocation community.
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... help people relocating to America connect to individuals of their community?
... help people find suitable housing?
... make people feel welcomed in their new community?
... connect individuals to events happening in their community?
... provide language help to those who need to improve their english?
... give knowledge of the necessary paperwork to someone moving to America?
... provide advice to those moving to America?
... help individuals feel knowledgeable about the culture of America?
... make resources pertaining to relocation more accessible? (app vs non-app)
... approach the branding of the solution?
... organize information so people wouldn’t feel either overwhelmed or underwhelmed .....with the resources presented?
... incorporate premium features (if at all)?
Our Solution
Our solution takes shape in the form of an app that connects relocated individuals to others within as well as outside of their marginalized community through in-person events and culturally-centered businesses.
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Connect with people from similar backgrounds who have experienced or are experiencing relocating to a new country
Connect with people outside of their community to learn about the new culture
Remedy homesickness through cultural solutions such as restaurants
Learn the language spoken at their new location
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Implement a brand aesthetic that is encouraging and friendly yet mature and clean
Recognize the diverse backgrounds of people who are part of historically-marginalized communities
Create an app that encourages people to connect with their new community in order to make them feel welcome
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Provide guidance to people—particularly from historically-marginalized communities—who are moving from a foreign country to the US
Promote BIPOC- and queer-owned businesses and direct internet traffic to support their growth
User Flow
Lo-Fi Prototyping
RELO Case Study
