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.
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.
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
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
Role
Product designer
Team
4 designers
Timeline
Mar '22
Role
Product designer
Team
4 designers
Timeline
Mar '22
"There's always room at the table"
"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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Home details
Build connection and trust by learning about a host and their home through intro videos, host details, and past experiences.
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.
Host profiles
Dive deeper into a host's profile and also your own.
Host profiles
Dive deeper into a host's profile and also your own.
Inbox
Keep track of your messages and stays.
Inbox
Keep track of your messages and stays.
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
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
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 😭