Through qualitative and quantitative research, I explored the available information and data on student housing at UT Austin. Developing the interactive interface, I conducted additional research collecting survey feedback, analyzed sampled data and existing statistics, transformed data analysis into visualization, and programmed the interface logic and flow.

I contributed to this project as a UI Designer + UX Researcher and worked on:

Housing market and student demographic research.
Data visualization and graphic design.
Mockup iterations and usability testing.
Interface code logic and functionality.

Problem and Idea Identification

Invigorated by the unethical practices and lack of transparency of local student housing property management companies, I began exploring possible digital platforms that can present information and help users navigate effective and affordable housing resources.

Research

On the local housing market:

I began collecting information and data on housing on the UT Austin official website (utexas.edu) from the University Housing and Dining Department (UHD), in particular, as well as nearby off-campus property management portfolios and other external reports.

On target users:

I summarized the sources gathered in my housing research and noted key points as potential questions underlining user archetypes.

Classification or affiliation with UT Austin
- There is a variation of housing preferences across undergraduate and graduate students.
- Based on information from University Housing and Dining (UHD) about University-owned housing, priority is given to first-year (Freshmen) students for dormitory housing contracts.
Proximity to campus
- Many undergraduate students live closer to campus.
- High rise developments provide more available units and are distinguished as "Student Apartments".
Rent and other living costs
- Additional costs, including installment rent and parking, pose financial limitations for many students.
- "SMART Housing" for qualifying students to help reduce rent costs.
Apartment offerings
- Frequent emphasis on Student Apartment housing amenities, such as study spaces, gyms, and rooftop lounges.
- Variation in household or individual income, where some students are more restrictive to rising rent prices than others.
- Different living plans with most students having roommates and some living in double-occupancy rooms.

Using my research, I narrowed down survey questions to gather data on relevant demographics of UT affiliates.

Survey Design Mockups

Initial survey interface ideation, including nearby areas with concentrated student populations.

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Survey User Flow

User flow expanding on survey questions that covers the key points and organized into sections

Final Survey implemented to gather information and data from UT students

After reducing details from the user flow and highlighting rent prices, location, and roommates in the questions about housing preferences, I asked my peers and other students to fill out the survey, with response data collected through Google Forms.

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Expand Form Questions

Introduction Section (1)

Demographics Section (2)

Housing Questions Section (3)

Conclusion Section (4)

Data Visualization

Using my quantitative research, I graphed some statistics on Austin rent prices and demographics on p5.js (JavaScript Library).

1. Percentage of UT Students Living On-Campus vs. Off-Campus

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2. Share of UT vs. Non-UT Students in Austin's 2019 Total Population

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3. The High and Increasing Costs of Student Apartments in Austin

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1. Documentation

Evaluations on rent prices of apartments from 2013 and 2018, highlighting student apartments for comparison.

2. Documentation

Calculations on city and student population statistics and pie chart mockup. UT students make up around 5% of the total Austin city population.

3. Documentation

Calculations on the distribution of living arrangements across the 2019 UT student population. Around 18% of UT students lived in housing owned by UT, while the majority, around 82%, of UT students lived off-campus housing. 14% and 4% of the students in University owned housing lived in dormitories and University Apartments, respectively.

UT Students Living On-Campus (Dormitories, other University owned) vs. Off-Campus Housing

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Interface Development

Landing Page

I sketched a wireframe with measurements of the interface's landing page and designed a mockup on p5.js with the goal of merging the survey and data visualizations onto a single interface.

Wireframe

Measurements calculated for the initial mockup of the interface's main menu screen.

Design Mockups

Initial Design Mockup

Second Design Mockup

Design Iterations

Initial User Flow

I proposed the initial user flow of the interface, including the survey, data visualizations, and resources from my housing research documentation.

Usability Testing

For feedback from my class, I presented the documentation for my data visualizations and provided a walkthrough of the low-fidelity prototype of my menu interface and data visualizations.

Feedback

Data Visualization Interface

Wireframe

Importing a CSV dataset into p5.js, I programmed a scaled wireframe of the data visualization component, which implements data gathered from the user survey (left) and compares to the sourced housing data (right)

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Probabilities (fractions) evaluated from housing research source.

Computed data from both housing research source and survey responses entered as comma separated variables (CSV).

Program Documentation

Initialize bar dimensions and define arrays to store CSV data

For loop statement that iterates through the research data array while evaluating conditions to position rectangles that delineate probability measurements

Design Mockup

Using the wireframe as a foundation for designing and programming my data visualization, I changed the x-axis values of vertically stacked rectangles to replicate a general shape of the UT Tower. For distinction, I utilize different colors to represent the three probability values aggregating each variable (research and survey).

User Interface Flow

Design System

Final Product and Solution

Identifying the gap in accessibility and lack of centralized housing resources for students, I conducted research on the local housing market to narrow qualitative and quantitative data to guide my user-centered design research. From the information and data gathered in my housing research, I formulated a survey based on typical and relevant attributes, including popular housing options and preference variations among different classifications of students.

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Reflection

Looking at the final UI, I am relieved that the many components of the interface are functional visually and logically. In review of my entire design and development process, I believed that my greatest obstacle would have been recreating a working survey on the final interface. However, planning the questionnaire design and flow, as well as the practice I gained programming the other components, allowed me to build up an intuition approaching the logic of the survey progression. I also recognize iterations of the user interface design after implementing the feedback I received and before unveiling the final product.

saveCanvas('UT_Housing_Interface', 'png');

Takeaways

I enjoyed having the opportunity to bring this idea to life through research, design, and development. Because the design system received positive feedback, I would improve the interface by embedding additional resources and collecting interaction data for further analysis and to provide users something tangible to takeaway from their interactive experience. I hope to continue this project and expand the scope of its initiatives.

Next Up: RideShareU