Carcloud

Innovative parking solution based on the AirBnB marketplace model.

UX & UI Design
UX Research
Brand ID & Marketing
Graphic Design

The Problem

Finding parking in urban areas is a time-consuming, stressful experience. Drivers often circle blocks, wasting time, gas, and adding to traffic congestion. Existing parking apps fail to offer real-time, reliable solutions tailored to individual needs, leaving users frustrated and overwhelmed. A smarter, more personalized approach is necessary to help drivers efficiently locate and reserve parking spaces, reduce stress, and save time.

The Solution

Carcloud is a peer-to-peer parking platform that connects drivers with available private parking spaces in real time. Inspired by the AirBnB model, Carcloud enables users to list, discover, and book parking spots in their area, making parking in crowded cities more convenient and cost-effective. With a user-friendly interface, flexible booking options, and trusted peer reviews, Carcloud creates a reliable community-driven solution to the everyday challenge of finding parking, giving drivers a hassle-free experience while maximizing the use of underutilized spaces.

Role

Researcher
UX Designer
UI Designer

Timeline

March - September 2024

Supporters

Kira Wilson
Bradford Prairie
Michael Dennison
Beny Hafkampf

Platform

Responsive
Mobile App (Figma)

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Process

Design Thinking

Design Thinking: Problem space research

Understand, explore, and materialize

I diligently adhered to the Design Thinking framework to discover the problem space of parking, come up with creative solutions, and test them to fix any problems in the design.

Design Thinking: Problem space research

1. Empathize

Problem space research

How do drivers currently find and secure parking spaces in urban and crowded areas, and what challenges do they face?
What are the pain points for both parking spot owners and drivers in a peer-to-peer parking system?
How do different pricing models impact drivers' willingness to use a platform for parking?
How do users assess the trustworthiness and security of peert-to-peer platforms for services like parking?
What is the role of convenience and proximity in drivers’ decision-making when choosing parking options?
How can user reviews and ratings foster trust and transparency in a parking marketplace?
What barriers prevent property owners from listing their unused parking spaces on a platform?
How do existing parking solutions and apps fail to address the specific needs of urban drivers?

Competitive usability analysis

I analyzed over a dozen popular parking apps, most offering basic features like finding and booking public spaces. However, they leave users to search for solutions themselves, with little in terms of personalized recommendations or real-time updates. None of the platforms fully utilize a peer-to-peer model for private parking rentals, missing a key opportunity to simplify the parking experience for drivers.

Interviews of potenital users

7 drivers: 4 women, 3 men
Age range: 19 through 74 years old
Diverse driving experiences
Range of technological aptitude, personality types, parking needs, and parking methodologies

6 out of 6 of the subjects said that living with IBS and IBD affects every aspect of daily life.
6 out of 6 of both the subjects' symptoms and the management of their conditions involve a significant amount of physical and mental anxiety and stress, and all subjects listed depression and mental health conditions as part of their regular experiences.
6 out of 6 of the subjects revealed that diet plays a significant art in their overall wellbeing, but none of them were on the same diet.

4 out of 7: Would pay for more convenient parking, even when free parking is available:

Kaitlyn C.
Bar Manager
Busy Beachside Bar

3 out of 7: Searching for parking causes significant wear & tear on vehicles, physical health problems, costs a significant amount of money in gas per year, has a big environmental impact, and/or is a problem big enough to merit drastic change:

Raphael C.
EV Owner
Rental EV Fleet Owner

4 out of 7: Get physically angry searching for parking:

Michael M.
College Sophomore
Center-city Driver

1 out of 7 people mentioned getting into a physical altercation over parking at least once:

George S.
Retired Navy Officer
RV Enthusiast

6 out of 7: Have used parking apps in the past, but consider them unreliable.

Erin S.
Busy Homemaker
Mom of 6

Empathy mapping

Users are willing to try a new solution if it consolidates their efforts.
They are stressed out: both by their actual conditions, in which stress plays a key role, and by the necessity of managing their daily health.
They are frustrated with current medical professionals and their solutions, feeling like they're being herded into a general group, and not being attended to as individuals.
They are hopeful that better solutions will come, and are eager to identify ways of living optimally, considering their health setbacks.
They understand that having IBS or IBD limits them, but most of them believe they could achieve better health.
Most of them struggle staying on top of daily health management, and are not consistent with it.

HMW create a seamless, user-friendly platform that connects drivers with available private parking spaces, making the parking process more efficient and personalized?

2. Define

User personas

Problem statement

Drivers struggle to find convenient parking in crowded areas due to limited options and inefficient or complex booking systems, leading to frustration, vehicle wear and tear, stress, gas wasted, and wasted time.

User journey maps

The user goals for this problem space are to obtain the optimal solution for finding parking spaces that is safest and costs the least amount of money and time.

Tracking user health to draw conclusions of things that help and hurt the user as a whole.
Logging health-related factors such as food and nutrition, physical and mental wellness, pain levels, and other factors, such as hydration and stress multiple times a day.
Identification of food and situations that trigger adverse health and flareups.
Regular feedback and suggestions concerning user progress, overall health, and factors that motivate them to form a habit of regularly visiting the app and keeping on top of their health.
A personalized and non-generic method of health management tailored to each individual, considering as many aspects of their conditions and history as possible.
A single, comprehensive place in which users can manage their health, without the need of multiple apps or other solutions.

3. Ideate

Low-fidelity wireframes

With basic ideas of how this app could function, I produced wireframes of various user flows to get a feel for the usability of the app. I like to sketch by hand at first, and then digitize promising solutions as they come.

User flows

4. Prototype

More advanced user flows

Initial design was
too stylized and lacked accessibility

Mid-fidelity wireframes

Searching for space while in area

Finding and booking a spot

Brand identity

Initial conceptual ideas. Naming: Park Angel? Plunk? I settled on the idea of having the car resting on a cloud.

5. Test

Revised screens after user feedback

Key learning:
Be adaptable

Later in my design process, I became aware of new data sources, technologies, and APIs, reminding me that being flexible with technology integration is essential for staying current and enhancing user experience.

Key learning: Don't reinvent the wheel

I initially aimed for a unique interface, but realized through user and mentor feedback that using familiar map app APIs, with a few custom features, resulted in a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. Simple, recognizable designs often lead to better usability.

Key learning:
Simplicity is best

Originally, I aimed for a more complex, feature-rich app, but testing revealed users preferred a streamlined, easy-to-navigate interface, especially while driving.

Thank you for your time viewing Carcloud

I'm excited to be continuing the Carcloud testing phase while working on augmented reality head-up displays to work in tandem with the app. I will update as I design.

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Carcloud

Innovative parking solution based on the AirBnB marketplace model.

The Problem

The Solution

Role

Timeline

Supporters

Platform

Process

Design Thinking

Design Thinking: Problem space research

Understand, explore, and materialize

Design Thinking: Problem space research

1. Empathize

Problem space research

Competitive usability analysis

Interviews of potenital users

Kaitlyn C.Bar ManagerBusy Beachside Bar

Raphael C.EV OwnerRental EV Fleet Owner

Michael M.College SophomoreCenter-city Driver

George S.Retired Navy OfficerRV Enthusiast

Erin S.Busy HomemakerMom of 6

Empathy mapping

HMW create a seamless, user-friendly platform that connects drivers with available private parking spaces, making the parking process more efficient and personalized?

2. Define

User personas

Problem statement

Drivers struggle to find convenient parking in crowded areas due to limited options and inefficient or complex booking systems, leading to frustration, vehicle wear and tear, stress, gas wasted, and wasted time.

User journey maps

3. Ideate

Low-fidelity wireframes

User flows

4. Prototype

More advanced user flows

Initial design was too stylized and lacked accessibility

Mid-fidelity wireframes

Searching for space while in area

Finding and booking a spot

Brand identity

5. Test

Revised screens after user feedback

Key learning: Be adaptable

Key learning: Don't reinvent the wheel

Key learning: Simplicity is best

Thank you for your time viewing Carcloud

MORE WORK

Gutsy

Mothership

Kaitlyn C.
Bar Manager
Busy Beachside Bar

Raphael C.
EV Owner
Rental EV Fleet Owner

Michael M.
College Sophomore
Center-city Driver

George S.
Retired Navy Officer
RV Enthusiast

Erin S.
Busy Homemaker
Mom of 6

Initial design was
too stylized and lacked accessibility

Key learning:
Be adaptable

Key learning:
Simplicity is best