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Co.Exist

Product Design ︎ Research 




OVERVIEW
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The CoExist app aims to create dialogue, manage, and promote sustainability and cooperation between roommates. The app encourages users to designate and remain accountable for their household tasks, share resources, and work together instead of independently.

This project was carried out entirely remotely in response to quarantine policies that put a strain on co-habitation due to the COVID 19 pandemic. 



The Team:
Bianca Srivastava Talya Nelson
Shar Mcleod

My Role:
Product designer (UI and UX)
Design Researcher 

WHY?
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We believe that living cooperatively can save money, time, and increase overall living satisfaction when members remain accountable, communicative, and respectful towards each other and their shared living space.



THE PROBLEM
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Interviews show that a lack of communication/ability to communicate effectively creates discomfort between housemates


Housemates spend more when they buy their own food and household materials


Lack of a system for chores creates an imbalance of responsibility

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Unclear expectations and lifestyle differences cause friction

RESEARCH GOALS

Q1.


What tools do people currently use to manage their households?


Q2.


How do personal attributes (such as stage of life, gender, etc.) affect living dynamics?


Q3.


How much do people care about implementing sustainable routines?


Q4.


What are some general pain points 20-somethings have surrounding roommate living?


WHO DID WE INTERVIEW? AND WHY?

We interviewed 15 people from all over the United States via Zoom

We focused on potential users in urban environments


Interviewees ranged from 18-32. We wanted to learn what age range experienced the most co-living difficulties 
AFFINITY MAPPING OUR INTERVIEWS


We affinity mapped our interviews based on recurring topics that came up during discussions. We then honed in on the top pain points roommates face in their living situations, including: a need for improved communication, a way to streamline chores, and a way to promote sustainability/ cost-effectiveness.

We also learned that younger users (Early-mid 20s) need the most facilitation. We noticed our older interviewees expressed fewer co-living pain points than younger counterpoints. They explained this by saying you “figure it out the hard way” as you age.
INTERVIEW QUOTES
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“There should never be a “mom of the house” that’s when people start to resent each other. It’s creepy”.

--Ali, 35


“Obviously I didn't want to be like too aggressive or anything, because you don't want to have like a big issue.”

--Megan, 19

“I expect that they will respect my personal space, and like my side of the room, needs to be clean and their side should be clean, too. But also I hope they're chill. And I hope they're heavy sleeper so when I wake up, they don't wake up.”

--Rita, 18 on what she hopes her college roomate will be like