My Role:
UI/UX Designer and Full Stack Developer
Problem
Many individuals occasionally need items that they do not own. Acquiring these items for one-time or infrequent use is not economical and contributes to environmental waste. Traditional rental options can be expensive, have a limited selection, and be inconveniently located.
Solution
Our platform includes:
- An interactive map to locate nearby items.
- User profiles for listing and requesting items.
- Advanced search and filter options to facilitate discovery.
- A chat system for price negotiation.
- A rating and review mechanism to ensure transparent and fair transactions.
My Impact
I served as both the UI/UX designer and developer for this project. In terms of design, I collaborated with my team members to divide the responsibilities. I specifically worked on the landing page, which encompassed the search and filter features, the interactive map, the navigation bar, as well as the login/logout and registration functionalities. After creating the wireframes, we proceeded with the development phase. My contributions included implementing the same elements from the design phase, and I also focused on developing features related to reviews, user listings, user profiles, and parts of the borrowing and lending process.
Process
Brainstorm
As a group, we explored various ideas to address the common issue of needing temporary access to items that individuals do not own. We identified several problems: the economic inefficiency and environmental impact of purchasing items for infrequent use, the high cost and limited selection of existing rental options, and the inconvenience of accessing these services. After discussing these challenges, we decided to develop a platform that facilitates borrowing and lending within local communities. This solution aims to minimize economic waste and environmental impact by leveraging a user-friendly interface with features such as an interactive map, user profiles, and advanced search and filter options. Our platform will also support price negotiation and include a rating and review system to promote transparency and fairness in transactions.
Solution
Our proposed solution is a comprehensive platform designed to connect individuals looking to borrow or lend items within their community.
Key features include:
- Interactive Map: Helps users locate available items nearby.
- User Profiles: Allows users to list items they want to lend and request items they need.
- Advanced Search and Filter: Enhances ease of discovering items based on various criteria.
- Price Negotiation and Ratings: Facilitates transparent and fair transactions through negotiation options and a review system.
Target Audience
- Individuals seeking temporary access to specific items for personal or professional use.
- People looking to lend out their rarely used items, generating income and reducing clutter.
- Community members interested in promoting sustainability and reducing waste through resource sharing.
Wireframes and Prototyping
Wireframes played a crucial role in presenting our proposal and defining the layout and functionality of the platform.
Development
During the development phase, I was responsible for several key features:
- Navigation Bar: Developed a dynamic navigation bar that adapts based on user authentication status. Features include Create Listing, Browse Categories, Login/Register, View Profile, and Notifications/Activities.
- Homepage: Implemented the landing page with an interactive map and search bar. The homepage features items arranged in a card format similar to an e-commerce site, making it visually engaging and easy to browse.
- Review System: Integrated a review mechanism that allows users to rate and provide feedback based on their experience with other users. This promotes transparency and trust within the platform.
- Profile and Item Management: Built user profiles and processes for collecting and lending items, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The platform was deployed on Vercel, with the frontend developed using ReactJS and Tailwind CSS, and the backend powered by ExpressJS and NodeJS. PostgreSQL was utilized for database management. For seamless deployment, we employed Vercel and Netlify.