Overview
In the past years, home swapping has become more than a trend, and NestSwap has become more than an idea: a way of making authentic memories.
Timeline: 3 months
Role: Product designer
Tools: Figma
Research insights
We examined three traveler archetypes that resulted from discovery sessions conducted before I joined the team: the adventurer, the familist, and the digital nomad. We had to use clarity and minimalism because there were more concerns than saving money: safety, exchange regulations, and last-minute cancellations. We focused a lot on mobile-friendly calendars that showed different types of availability so that users would know what they would book in advance.
Solutions
Our users don't want to feel like foreigners renting an apartment, they want to feel like they have a home away from home. NestSwap does this in two stages:
First, users define their travel plan using a short step-by-step wizard that asks them to input their destination, preferred experiences, period, and number of visitors.
Second, you see potential homes almost immediately using a familiar card system that allows for rapid swiping. A traveler could find their next destination in a matter of minutes.
Unexpected challenges
However, setting up a perfect travel plan wasn't enough. The app had to account for the host experience. Sometimes, users don't feel up to designing their dream travel plan, so nudges and suggestions need to be an active part of the home browsing experience. As such, we designed three ways of experiencing the platform and finding matches: Stay (you find swaps for your defined travel plans), Explore (you browse from a list of AI-generated suggestions), and Host (you swipe on potential candidates for a home swap).
Results
A home isn't just the place you live at, it's the experience of being part of something larger. With NestSwap, you connect with like-minded travelers. You go on affordable and authentic trips. You experience the place you travel to as a part of the local culture.
Interested in working together?
Feel free to reach out directly at work@florianpopescu.com.