Case Study
Apartment Picks Case Study
apartmentpicks.com-
Role
Senior Graphic Designer
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Team
Product Manager, Marketing, Developer
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Deliverables
High Fidelity Designs, Component Libraries
The Challenge
Apartment Picks was designed to help users quickly discover apartment listings while generating qualified leads for property management partners. The challenge was to create a responsive experience that simplified the apartment search process, encouraged user engagement, and increased lead submissions. The platform also needed to integrate location based search functionality, interactive mapping features, and editorial content that provided additional value to prospective renters.
The Plan
My objective was to create a scalable user experience framework that balanced usability with conversion performance. The strategy focused on simplifying apartment discovery, reducing friction throughout the search process, and creating a clear path toward lead generation. By establishing a flexible design system and component library early in the project, development could move efficiently while maintaining consistency throughout the entire experience.
Highlights
Discovery
The discovery phase focused on understanding both user behavior and business requirements. Working closely with the product manager and marketing team, I evaluated existing lead generation strategies, reviewed user feedback, and identified opportunities to improve the apartment search experience.
Our research revealed that users wanted a faster way to browse available properties, compare options, and find relevant information without unnecessary navigation. At the same time, the business required stronger opportunities for lead capture and increased engagement with editorial content. These findings helped shape the information architecture, search functionality, and overall user journey throughout the platform.
Observations
Creating a System
Using insights gathered during discovery, I developed a flexible design system centered around clarity, accessibility, and conversion optimization. The homepage was designed to immediately communicate value through prominent search functionality, clear calls to action, and supporting apartment hunting resources.
I began with wireframes to establish content hierarchy and user flow before moving into detailed interface design. Special attention was given to balancing conversion focused elements with helpful content, ensuring that opportunities for lead generation remained visible without overwhelming the user experience.
Design & Development
After establishing the design framework, I created a comprehensive component library and visual language that conveyed both trust and approachability. The design incorporated warm colors, clear typography, and structured content layouts that supported apartment discovery while reinforcing the brand identity.
I designed detailed screen layouts for property listings, search results, editorial content, and lead capture opportunities. Once the user flows and interface patterns were finalized, I collaborated closely with the development team by providing implementation ready specifications, component documentation, interaction behaviors, and design standards. My knowledge of front end development helped bridge communication between design and engineering, resulting in a more efficient process and a higher quality final product.
Conclusion
The Apartment Picks redesign successfully transformed a complex apartment search experience into a streamlined lead generation platform. By focusing on user behavior, information architecture, conversion optimization, and responsive design principles, the project delivered measurable business results.
The redesigned experience contributed to a 116% increase in conversions while providing users with a faster, more intuitive way to discover apartment listings. The combination of improved usability, stronger calls to action, and valuable editorial content helped create a platform that better served both prospective renters and business stakeholders.
