CASE STUDY
Overview
Nomadnet, born from a vision to transform job-seeking for digital nomads, is an exclusive platform connecting remote workers with global opportunities. It offers an intuitive experience, enabling users to easily access and apply for jobs aligned with their lifestyle and passions. Nomadnet provides personalized job recommendations and fosters community through forums and networking events, supporting both professional and personal growth. As a digital sanctuary for remote workers, Nomadnet represents my commitment to creating exceptional user experiences that empower individuals to pursue their passions, regardless of location.
Role
User-research
Interaction
Visual design
Usability testing
Prototyping
Tools
Figma
Miro
EMPATHIZE
Problems
Through our research, we discovered that many digital nomads face challenges in finding relevant jobs on existing platforms.
Additionally, they often encounter difficulties in securing remote work on short notice.
They also expressed feelings of loneliness and isolation due to the nature of their lifestyle and would like to have the possibility to connect and network with other digital nomads.
Goals
Our goal was to build a groundbreaking job seeking platform designed for individuals who embrace the freedom of travel and remote work.
We aimed to address the challenges faced by digital nomads by providing personalized job offers through an AI algorithm and the requested filters, not just for valid jobs but for finding jobs with short notice.
We wanted to create a place for them to connect via chat, forums to network and even read blogs to beat the loneliness many of them expressed.
With all of these fantastic and highly requested features, we focused on seamless and intuitive design with a goal to empower users to thrive in their nomadic journeys while achieving professional fulfillment and financial stability.
Research insights
To understand the experiences and challenges of individuals engaged in remote work we conducted one-on-one interviews with participants from diverse professional backgrounds (marketing, online business ownership, trading,software development). As well as created surveys and literature reviews. Below you can read some of our research insights.
Findings
These are the key findings we got from the interviews:
1. Job Search Challenges:
- Individuals find it difficultto discover remote work opportunities that align with their needs, interests,and values.
- Despite the availability offiltering options, there is a perceived gap in the job search process.
2. Self-Perceived Barriers:
- Some participants identify their own lack of certain skills or experience as significant obstacles to pursuing remote work opportunities.
Our key findings from the survey were:
1. The participants age ranges between 18 up to 55 years old.
2. Most work either part-time or full time and travels.
3. They find remote work through job platforms like: LinkedIN, Flexjobs,Freelance platforms, Facebook and by contacting companies directly. 4. Features they would like to see in a job seeking platform like ours is:
- More filtering options. As well as access to more kind of jobs.
- To see more integration of different remote work platforms.
- A platform where they could connect with other digital nomads.
- Clearer communication options with employers.
- More specific information on remote work opportunities
Summary of key findings on literature reviews:
Key findings: The World Bank data indicates a significant trend towards self-employment, with nearly half of all workers worldwide being self-employed. This highlights the growing prevalence of non-traditional employment arrangements. Digital nomads often face financial challenges due to the irregular nature of freelance work and project-based income. Maintaining a stable income becomes a significant concern, as freelancers may experience fluctuations in earnings and must continuously seek out new clients and projects to sustain their livelihoods.
DEFINE
Me and my college had a very great workflow through this whole project and we did several brainstorming sessions in Miro. We did the Scamper, Moscow, Mind mapping and Affinity mapping to gather our insights. Below you can see how we grouped together various insights that we gathered from all of our research.
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Problem statement
From all the conducted research we could see that people working remotely while traveling find it hard to discover job opportunities that fit their lifestyle, because they have to sift through a large number of job listings that are not relevant. They face financial difficulty that makes it hard to maintain their lifestyle when they cannot find revenue streams that can come from remote work. If we could solve this problem, it would open up job opportunities for an increasing number of people who wish to work and live in this way. It would improve the ability of working nomads to stay on their feet financially. It would also benefit businesses by giving them access to a large base of human capital from all over the world.
Persona
Here is an excerpt from our work of the persona we created.
IDEATE
Recommendations
Enhanced Filtering Options: Implement advanced filters for skills, experience, interests, and values.
Intuitive Search Interface: Design a user-friendly interface with easy navigation and job alert features.
Skill Development Resources: Provide personalized upskilling recommendations and mentorship opportunities.
Experience Showcase: Enable portfolio integration and detailed user profiles to highlight strengths.
Platform Integration and Connectivity: Aggregate job listings from multiple platforms and allow cross-platform applications.
Community and Networking Features: Create a space for digital nomads to connect and improve employer communication.
Detailed Job Information: Ensure comprehensive job descriptions and provide financial stability tips.
User Support and Guidance: Develop a robust help center and provide accessible customer support.
Data Insights and Personalization: Use machine learning for personalized job suggestions and provide career insights.
User Feedback and Iteration: Regularly gather user feedback and allow feature suggestions for continuous improvement.
Sketches
To enhance the job search experience, our homepage features a dynamic search bar accompanied by job category filters and subcategories. These filters enable users to refine their search further, ensuring the delivery of highly relevant results—a feature often absent in other job-seeking platforms.
Our comprehensive ideation process, facilitated through brainstorming and ideation sessions in Miro, along with regular meetings and planning sessions, played a pivotal role in managing our time effectively and generating innovative ideas for sketches and features.
PROCESS
Low fidelity vs. High fidelity
Throughout the project, we maintained a user-centered approach, collaborating closely with users at every stage of the design process.
From the initial low-fidelity prototype to the final high-fidelity prototype, user feedback was paramount in guiding our decisions and iterations all along the way.
By prioritizing user needs and preferences, we ensured that the design evolved in a manner that resonated with our target audience. This iterative and user-centric approach fostered a sense of ownership and satisfaction among users, resulting in a product that truly met their expectations.
In crafting the design elements for our digital nomad platform, we meticulously considered color, typography, and button design to resonate with the nomadic lifestyle while adhering to UX design principles.Color: Inspired by the sun-kissed beaches frequented by digital nomads, we opted for a palette of tranquil blues, evoking the calming serenity of ocean waves. These hues not only evoke a sense of wanderlust but also promote a feeling of relaxation and freedom, aligning with the nomadic spirit. Furthermore, blue is known for its associations with trustworthiness and professionalism, instilling confidence in users as they navigate the platform.Typography: To complement the minimalist design and enhance readability across various devices, we selected a clean and modern sans-serif font. Its simplicity reflects the uncluttered lifestyle often associated with digital nomads, while ensuring clear communication of content. Additionally, the font's versatility allows for seamless integration with different interface elements, contributing to a cohesive and user-friendly experience.Buttons: In line with UX design principles, we prioritized clarity and accessibility in button design. Opting for a minimalist style with subtle hover effects, we ensured that buttons were easily recognizable and actionable. The use of contrasting colors, such as vibrant turquoise for primary buttons and softer shades for secondary actions, facilitated intuitive navigation and emphasized key interactions. By maintaining consistency in button size, spacing, and placement, we promoted a seamless and coherent user journey.In summary, our design decisions were driven by both aesthetic considerations and UX design principles. By integrating elements reminiscent of sunlit beaches and the nomadic lifestyle, while adhering to principles of readability, accessibility, and consistency, we created a visually engaging and user-centric platform tailored to the needs of digital nomads.
Lofi & Hifi Laptop
TESTING
We performed usability testing to ensure satisfaction among our users and these are the insights we got:
Positives
- The user finds the processes seamless and iterative.
- He experienced that the prototype has a professional look and feel to it.
- He didn’t miss or lack anything in the functionalities and were happy with the whole experience.
- The sign-up flow was seamless without any obstacles.
- The job search process went smoothly.
- The community section functioned well overall.
Negatives
- Some lines weren't connected, causing the user to get stuck on a page for a while.
- After receiving guidance, the user managed to go back and redo the task successfully.
- In the community section, the user couldn't find the chat button on the nomad's profile to send a message.
- In the blog section, the user mistook the blog post page for a place to post a blog due to the absence of headings or clear indicators.
Design Iterations
We conducted several design iterations to enhance the user experience, incorporating feedback from user testing and stakeholder reviews. Through iterative refinement of interface elements, navigation flow, and content presentation, we addressed identified pain points and optimized usability. The success of these iterations was evident in improved user satisfaction metrics and positive feedback from stakeholders.
Below are some of our design iterations:
- Nomad Connect site: Added a button on the nomads profile page to easier facilitate private messaging.
- Job applicant page: Introduced clear headings and descriptive text to distinguish job descriptions from CV upload sections.
- Blog Section: Added headings and labels to clarify the difference between reading and submitting blog posts.
These changes were implemented in the high-fidelity prototype to enhance user understanding and navigation.
EVALUATION
By adhering to the design principles and following a structured process, we ensured the development of a successful end product.
Each step, from user research to design iterations, was guided by user-centric principles, resulting in a solution that met both user needs and stakeholder objectives.
The rigorous application of design principles facilitated the creation of an intuitive and visually appealing interface, while iterative refinement ensured
optimal usability and satisfaction. The culmination of these efforts was evident in the delight expressed by users and stakeholders alike, underscoring the success
of the end product.
NomadNet
UX/UI-deisgner
April 2024 - May 2024
Through effective communication, I spearheaded the iterative process of this project, culminating in an innovative UX design solution. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration among team members, we continuously exchanged ideas, feedback, and insights. This facilitated a dynamic workflow where everyone's perspectives were valued and incorporated into the design evolution.Utilizing clear communication channels, I ensured that all stakeholders were aligned with project goals and objectives. Regular updates and progress reports kept the team informed and engaged throughout the iterative process. This transparent communication approach facilitated swift decision-making and enabled us to adapt quickly to changing requirements and user feedback.Moreover, I leveraged my communication skills to solicit feedback from end-users through interviews, surveys, and usability testing sessions. This direct interaction with the target audience provided invaluable insights into their needs, preferences, and pain points, guiding the iterative refinement of the UX design solution.By fostering effective communication at every stage of the project, I facilitated a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and creativity. This enabled us to iterate rapidly, ultimately delivering an innovative UX design solution that exceeded user expectations and drove satisfaction.
Want to work together?
If you like what you see and want to work together, get in touch!
Email: jessicadaniels22@outlook.com
Our research strategy encompassed both qualitative and quantitative methods, providing a holistic understanding of our target audience.
One-on-one interviews offered deep insights into user experiences, motivations, and challenges. Surveys supplemented this with broader feedback, validating qualitative findings.
Secondary research, including SWOT- analysis and literature reviews, complemented our understanding.
By integrating these methods, we developed a user-centered platform informed by a comprehensive understanding of user needs and preferences.
