HotPatch
Inspiring creativity and innovation
The vision
Supporting young entrepreneurs
Imagine a space which supports the most aspiring young entrepreneurs to grow, build connections and showcase their talents
The client and brief
Making space work in 2021
HotPatch is a non profit organisation who connects people with rentable space and supports community initiatives and start ups. In collaboration with HotPatch, we discovered and developed the HotPatch story into a functional high fidelity prototype.
Deliverables
Our methodology and research tools
• Research findings & insights concerning competitors, user types, and behaviour
• Personas and scenariosÂ
• Experience map/User journeysÂ
• Information ArchitectureÂ
• Design & usability recommendations for improvementÂ
• User flowsÂ
• Product Sketches and wireframesÂ
• High fidelity mock-up and prototype of design(s)Â
• A final presentation to the client which summarises the UX work
Our solution
Enhancing functionality
A high fidelity interactive prototype which incorporates 3 new features based on user insights:
A comprehensive category filer options
A loyalty scheme for renters
A patch promotions function for hosts
The context
Supporting young entrepreneurs
A Space for Ideas
"HotPatch makes it incredibly easy and simple to be able to do things physically and feel connected to my team in person, after living fully digitally! I think it’s great that they offer a wide range of different spaces, I know in the future it will be something I can use even more"
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Renter quote, November 2021
Project details
Client: HotPatch
Year: 2021
Role: UX Designer
Duration: 1 month
Tools: Miro, Marvel and Figma
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Success criteria: The overall objective of the redesign was to enhance the space booking function based on user insights, proposing solutions to improve the overall customer experience.
Our design approach
I would like readers to look at how we involved HotPatch in the process to ensure our solution met their needs and brought out the human story behind this amazing organisation.
Process and method
We used an agile methodology to ensure project requirements were reviewed in our weekly client meetings and discovery and solutions were explored at an early stage in the process which we refined and iterated on throughout the journey. User insights, early ideations, and working collaboratively with our Clients through Design Studios ensured our design solutions were well informed and crucially advocated for the needs of Renters and Hosts.
Discovery
User insights and actions
Insights from our interviews with people renting spaces from HotPatch.
In many cases, there is a general lack of detail regarding patch listings and additional facilities on offer and this led us to re-work the filer categories and provide detailed patch descriptions with a more people-centred objective in mind.
All of the 'renters' we interviewed required direct contact with patch hosts before booking so we added a chat function and included a visible contact number on the homepage in agreement with our clients.
Our design solutions, however went bigger. As HotPatch connects people with spaces, encourages entrepreneurs, new start ups and new opportunities, based on user needs, we also incorporated into our designs:
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A community network feature
The HotPatch spotlight feature shining a light on new starts using featured podcast promotions
A mentor services to allow young entrepreneurs to access business guidance from experts.
Renter quotes
Space, Booking, Loyalty
"I want specific information about the space. I need it to be multipurpose for the groups I run".
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"I want to be able to access the information quickly as I book spaces on the go".
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"I want to be rewarded for my loyalty".
"I really want HotPatch to maximise the exposure of my fitness studio"
Simon, Host
Prioritisation
Renter
Patch listing and details were highlighted as key priorities for Renters. Both required an intuitive navigation system to scan and filter patches and accurate space descriptions including access to additional facilities and equipment. From Hotpatch's perspective, they were keen for designs to be modelled on Airbnb's patch listing displays.
Prioritisation
Host
From the Host's perspective Patch Promotions were needed to ensure more visitors to the site including a loyalty system to keep Renters active and engaged.
Design Studio
HotPatch Collaborations
Key insights from prioritisation exercise were taken into our design studio where we did crazy 6s with the Hotpatch team. We all took the role of ‘Vicky’, our renter and came up with ideas ranging from Gamification to creating a ‘Super User’. This collaborative approach to running the design studio enabled us to align our own insights with the ideas from the Hotpatch team.
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Our second design studio illustrated ways in which we might help hosts promote their patch; listing patches as ‘Popular’ and including a ‘recommendations’ feature for similar spaces received the most votes.
Building momentum
As a design team, we walked away from our Design Studio sessions feeling inspired, energised and connected to the organisation’s mission as the project moved into mid fidelity and user testing.
HotPatch Website feedback
What the people say
Patch listings
We started user testing the Hotpatch Website. 5 people with no prior knowledge of Hotpatch carried out 4 set tasks and two significant themes emerged: the need for category lists and filters to easily guide people through the ‘patch listing’ process.
Patch details
Patch details and features to be comprehensive and backed up with positive reviews.
Our mid fidelity redesign and testing
Research into action
These slides demonstrate how we redesigned HotPatch’s current search and filter functions based on the feedback provided.
Patch listings
Patch details and features to be comprehensive and backed up with positive reviews. These next two slides demonstrate how we redesigned Hotpatch’s. current search and filter functions based on the feedback provided.
Testing feedback
4/5
Category lists and filters to easily guide people through the ‘patch listing’ process
5/5
Patch details/features to be comprehensive and backed up with positive reviews
3/5
Loyalty scheme to explain how renters claim rewards
High Fidelity Mobile
Welcome to our high fidelity prototype which combines our research, user testing and insights.
This is the desktop prototype which highlights how we have simplified the search options, ensured patch listings are comprehensive and renters are rewarded for booking through our loyalty system. We hope by making these changes, HotPatch will experience a higher rate of bookings due to the intuitive 4 step booking process and for our new features to re-establish trust with Hosts due to the implementation of our Patch Promotions solutions.
Desktop
High Fidelity
Desktop High Fidelity
Patch booking page
Loyalty Scheme
HotPatch Feedback
The feedback from the HotPatch team on our final design was positive. They felt we really understood the organisation’s mission which is to create a trustworthy site with an efficient booking process and rewards. The CEO told us after the presentation that it is amazing to see ideas which have existed in his head, come to life in high-fidelity. The wider HotPatch team also valued the touch points we had along the way and how design studio ideas were incorporated in the final design. While some recommendations may take longer to implement there are others such as the patch details and category lists which can be done straight away and will make a real difference to the service.
Reflection and learning
Great designs develop through in-depth analysis, research and insights. As a team we used the agile methodology to continually track and review our process, ensuring all design decisions were rooted in evidence and emerging trends rather than assumptions. This approach enabled us to have a clear rationale behind decisions which was pivotal in developing a positive working relationship with our clients.
We would like to thank the HotPatch Team for their openness to change and willingness to engage in the process.