Pomelo

Homestay app for LGBTQ+ youth

For my first designathon competition, I chose to design for a cause I genuinely cared about, motivated by the opportunity to design something supportive and human-centered.

Problem

1/3 of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. They may feel unsafe in their own homes or be disowned purely for their sexuality and gender expression, with nowhere to turn to.

Solution

A homestay app that connects users to hosts volunteering their homes and safe spaces for queer youth

Problem

1/3 of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. They may feel unsafe in their own homes or be disowned purely for their sexuality and gender expression, with nowhere to turn to.

Solution

A homestay app that connects users to hosts volunteering their homes and safe spaces for queer youth

Role

Product designer

Team

4 designers

Timeline

Mar '22

"There's always room at the table"

Ideation

In response to the prompt, “How might we intentionally explore what matters to us?”, we were drawn to exploring issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Since our app targets at risk users, it was important to discuss how this app would keep them safe. Ideally our app would partner with the Canadian government to verify and perform background checks on hosts to ensure safety. Consistent and reliable hosts may also be funded by the government, queer organizations, and donations to incentivize safety and reward great hosting.

Ideation

Analysis

After brainstorming ideas and finalizing our choice. I formed a creative brief to help guide and direct us during design.

Main hypothesis

"If we can connect LGBTQ+ youth with safe spaces during hard times, we can keep them off the streets and save lives"

Main scenarios

You need a safe place to stay. You don't feel safe in your own home.

Business opportunities

Find and coordinate a homestay in the same app. Tap into local support instead of funded initiatives. Familizarize yourself with your host before meeting.

Analysis

After brainstorming ideas and finalizing our choice. I formed a creative brief to help guide and direct us during design.

Main hypothesis

"If we can connect LGBTQ+ youth with safe spaces during hard times, we can keep them off the streets and save lives"

Main scenarios

You need a safe place to stay. You don't feel safe in your own home.

Business opportunities

Find and coordinate a homestay in the same app. Tap into local support instead of funded initiatives. Familizarize yourself with your host before meeting.

Final designs

Final designs, showcasing major flows and features of our design.

Final designs

Final designs, showcasing major flows and features of our design.

Explore

Find places around you, with a bigger focus on the host and people. Find homes and safe spaces around your person as well with an interactive map.

Home details

Build connection and trust by learning about a host and their home through intro videos, host details, and past experiences.

Host profiles

Dive deeper into a host's profile and also your own.

Inbox

Keep track of your messages and stays.

Reflection and takeaways

What I learned from this project.

Leading

Being the only member with design experience, I had the opportunity to lead and guide the team through the design process. It was a great learning opportunity for me, especially being all of our first designathons.

Allow ample time

It was really hard getting the perfect take and we didn't expect recording to take so long. We were almost disqualified, but clutched up with an extension on the deadline 😭

Reflection and takeaways

What I learned from this project.

Leading

Allow ample time

It was really hard getting the perfect take and we didn't expect recording to take so long. We were almost disqualified, but clutched up with an extension on the deadline 😭