Lavatory
User Research, UI/UX
2024
A map-based app of public restrooms in NYC, complete with GPS navigation, feature tags, and peer reviews. For the urgent pedestrian in need of lavatory relief. Turns the process of finding bathrooms from stressful to easy.
CURRENT PROBLEM
The platform is difficult to navigate and frequently provides inadequate information. Additionally, the available content is often outdated, which may lead to a frustrating user experience.
PROJECT GOAL
- To reduce the anxiety associated with finding a clean, available bathroom in a large city.
- To support local businesses by directing potential customers
to their establishments if they offer public restrooms.
- To contribute to public health initiatives by providing access
to hygienic facilities.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT 1
Near Me Status: 5 to 10 Minutes Walk
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT 2
Map-Based Discovery Experience
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT 3
Search By Features
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT 4
Check Reviews & View All Details at Once
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT 5
Save Your Favorite Lavatory
REVIEW PAGE
Lavatory strives to maintain up-to-date information by collecting reviews from our users. We provide our users with the opportunity to share their honest opinions anonymously. This approach ensures the most accurate details for each information.
RESEARCH ROADMAP
Since the project is centered on problem-solving, I've prioritized
maximizing user insights and thoughts in the app development
process.
Consequently, user research and feedback play a
significant role throughout.
MARKET ANALYSIS
I analyzed the existing market system, focusing on identifying
problems that could be resolved by developing the app and
addressing issues users encounter with each platform.
USER RESEARCH
Although finding a bathroom might seem straightforward, users often
face various challenges and obstacles that can make the experience uncomfortable.
I am concentrating on addressing this issue to enhance user comfort and accessibility by thoroughly understanding
their needs and pain points.
Interview Notes
Servey Result
Existing System
Person Study 1
Persona study 2
User Goal Map
PAINPOINT MAP
Pain points become especially critical when the primary focus
of the project is solving users' issues.
Basic User Flow Map Draft Revised User Flow Map After Feedback
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE & LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAME
I designed the map to simplify the user experience as much as
possible, eliminating unnecessary steps and ensuring it is
straightforward and easy to navigate.
PAIN POINT FOCUS 1
The issue with the current system was that the locations were not tailored to the user, requiring them to take extra steps and spend more time to find the nearest bathroom in desperate situations.
Therefore, I have focused on enhancing the 'Near Me' feature in the map-based experience. It now explicitly indicates the proximity of bathrooms, such as '5 mins walk' or '10 mins walk,' along with detailed information about each location.
Shows Near Me Availability Shows Bathroom Nearby by Walking Duration
PAIN POINT FOCUS 2
Often, users couldn't find the hours of operation for restrooms using the bathroom finder app, necessitating the use of Google Maps as an additional step. To streamline this process and avoid surprises like unexpected closures, I have integrated hours of operation directly into the app, ensuring users have all the necessary information in one place.
Displays the Opened locations Only States the Hours of Operation Additionally
PAIN POINT FOCUS 3
Often, bathrooms may appear to be publicly accessible, but they are actually restricted to customers only. Others may be all-gender, which some users might find uncomfortable, or they might be poorly maintained. The Lavatory app addresses these issues by providing detailed information and reviews in a straightforward manner, ensuring users know exactly what to expect.
Easily Navigates to No Charge Bathrooms Only No Charge bathroom Description Page
NEXT STEPHow will listing on this platform impact stores and other places?
What are the potential benefits and drawbacks from their perspective?
Additionally, I plan to integrate advanced technologies such as machine learning and AI for image detection and automated self-descriptions to simplify the review process. I also aim to place a stronger emphasis on the privacy of location data.
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