Spencer Bishop, UX/UI Designer
Airbnb Split Payment
Feature
Airbnb Split Payment
Feature
Problem
There was no easy or valuable way for Airbnb customers to split their vacation cost with their friends or family that they were traveling with.
Solution
Creating a feature that allows
Airbnb customers can easily share the cost of their vacation expenses. This will take away the possibility of a fee and be able to collaborate with their friends and family through the app.
How was the final product achieved?
How was the final product achieved?
How was the final product achieved?
Research
My team and I created two Google surveys to understand how people vacation, split costs, and use apps for these tasks. The first survey wasn’t successful because our questions weren’t specific enough. In the second survey, we improved our questions to get more useful feedback.(The questions on the left are our original ones, and on the right are the improved versions.)
Research
My team and I created two Google surveys to understand how people vacation, split costs, and use apps for these tasks. The first survey wasn’t successful because our questions weren’t specific enough. In the second survey, we improved our questions to get more useful feedback.(The questions on the left are our original ones, and on the right are the improved versions.)
We organized our data in Dovetail using tags and grouped them into 5 categories. We then created additional groups by identifying similar patterns and common problems.
We organized our data in Dovetail using tags and grouped them into 5 categories. We then created additional groups by identifying similar patterns and common problems.
Ideation
We started ideating by doing competitor and in-direct competitor benchmarking. We identified weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and areas of interest.
Ideation
We started ideating by doing competitor and in-direct competitor benchmarking. We identified weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and areas of interest.
To better understand the apps we were reviewing, we did some information architecture on each one to see how the apps were organized and how we could implement changes into Airbnb.
To better understand the apps we were reviewing, we did some information architecture on each one to see how the apps were organized and how we could implement changes into Airbnb.
Our team brainstormed on a mind map of what we needed to improve and add to our current splitting payment feature.
Our team brainstormed on a mind map of what we needed to improve and add to our current splitting payment feature.
Later, we put together an existing user flow and what we wanted the future user flow to look like. This helped us organize our ideas before getting into designing them.
Later, we put together an existing user flow and what we wanted the future user flow to look like. This helped us organize our ideas before getting into designing them.
To generate some ideas of how our ideas could look we did some crazy eights to put our thoughts into an image quickly.
To generate some ideas of how our ideas could look we did some crazy eights to put our thoughts into an image quickly.
Wireframing
We made some low-fidelity wireframes to create a user experience as a team. After making our own, we decided which ones we wanted to implement.
Wireframing
We made some low-fidelity wireframes to create a user experience as a team. After making our own, we decided which ones we wanted to implement.
Usability Testing
Using Maze, we created a usability test. We got 30 participants, and after looking at the results, it wasn't as successful as we wanted it to be. That's okay because it helped us know what needed to be improved. There were some comments referring to the UI not being great, so I updated that to make things clearer and more up to date with the Airbnb app.
Usability Testing
Using Maze, we created a usability test. We got 30 participants, and after looking at the results, it wasn't as successful as we wanted it to be. That's okay because it helped us know what needed to be improved. There were some comments referring to the UI not being great, so I updated that to make things clearer and more up to date with the Airbnb app.
Reflection on My First UX Design Project
This was my first UX design project, and I’m grateful for the experience and everything I learned. While the journey had its challenges, here are a few key takeaways:
1. Wireframing:
We could have explored more ideas during wireframing. A greater variety of initial concepts would have saved time and reduced unnecessary redesigns.
2. User Flows:
Creating only one or two user flows felt limiting. Exploring 3-5 options would have led to shorter, more efficient paths and helped cut unnecessary steps early on.
3. Mind Mapping:
Our initial mind map could have included more diverse ideas. Expanding this earlier would have opened up more opportunities for innovation.
I learned the importance of never limiting ideation or research. This phase should be the most time-intensive and exploratory—strong research sets a great foundation for UI design.
I’m excited to apply these lessons to future projects and continue growing as a designer.
Reflection on My First UX Design Project
This was my first UX design project, and I’m grateful for the experience and everything I learned. While the journey had its challenges, here are a few key takeaways:
1. Wireframing:
We could have explored more ideas during wireframing. A greater variety of initial concepts would have saved time and reduced unnecessary redesigns.
2. User Flows:
Creating only one or two user flows felt limiting. Exploring 3-5 options would have led to shorter, more efficient paths and helped cut unnecessary steps early on.
3. Mind Mapping:
Our initial mind map could have included more diverse ideas. Expanding this earlier would have opened up more opportunities for innovation.
I learned the importance of never limiting ideation or research. This phase should be the most time-intensive and exploratory—strong research sets a great foundation for UI design.
I’m excited to apply these lessons to future projects and continue growing as a designer.