Proximity Nomad
OVERVIEW
Proximity Nomad’s mission is to give remote workers instant access to coworking spaces all around the world. It does this by allowing members to drop in to any workspace that's a part of the Proximity network and check in on the spot.
The product required a revamp with added functionality and a cleaner, more user friendly interface. While the designs are finished and include the changes that were discussed, the coding has not started.
ROLE
UX Designer
CLIENT
Proximity Space, Inc.
WEBSITE
Proximity Nomad
CAPABILITIES
UX Design
UI Design
Web Design
Interaction Design
Information Architecture
User Flows
Visual Design
COMPANY
PROXIMITY SPACE, INC.
Proximity was founded in 2017 with the mission to connect the mobile workforce through a growing network of independent coworking spaces. They help hundreds of space owners and managers simplify logistics and more easily manage door access, billing, conference room booking, events, and guest visits. In addition, Proximity also helps entrepreneurs, remote workers, and digital nomads access coworking spaces where they’ll find a supportive and like-minded community. They’re a people company that happens to create software for coworking spaces.
COWORKING
What is coworking you ask?
Coworking is the new way of working and sharing. It’s not just about sharing a building and cost, it is about belonging to a community. Think of it as a gym membership for office space. Coworking spaces are designed to provide a productive and collaborative environment for their members and are created without corporate constraints on what is perceived to be a traditional office environment. Members are able to work alongside other professionals without being a part of the same company. This creates communities and fosters network growth.
THE PROCESS
GOALS
Through Proximity Nomad, coworking space owners are able to host coworkers from different parts of the world, and members are able to work at any coworking space in the network. The goal is to help users find coworking spaces that meet their needs and schedule a visit in advance. In order to do this efficiently, the software needed a major update in both functionality and design.
Some of the main things missing were a clearly organized navigation menu, a direct route to search, browse and filter, the ability to see more details about a specific space or reservable resource, and upgrading a workspace while booking a visit.
DELIVERABLES
Existing product evaluation
Restructured navigation
Updated search capabilities
Added filters
Revamped user interface
Space Page
Reservable Resource Page
Schedule a visit with upgrades
Reserve a resource for visit
One time purchase credits
HOME PAGE
Proximity Nomad’s home page currently acts like a marketing site trying to entice users to sign up for a membership without really explaining what Nomad is or how it works. In addition to this, searching for a coworking space is confusing and not easily accessible. The user has to either scroll to the bottom of the home page to see the map of the network, or use the drop down to go to the map page.
After much thought and deliberation, and with Josh’s approval, I decided Nomad needed a dynamic home page. If the user was not logged in, it would act as a marketing site that would explain the benefits of the product. If the user was logged in, the search bar would be at top of the page, allowing users to find coworking spaces as quickly as possible. If the user was logged in and had a visit scheduled for that day, the top section of the home page would give the user information about that coworking space and encourage them to check in to the space. This type of home page ensures that users are getting their needs met with as little effort as possible. With the change in home page, came a dynamic navigation as well.
OLD HOME PAGE
NEW HOME PAGE
NAVIGATION
The original navigation consisted of a dropdown with all pages. This was problematic, because it overwhelmed users with several options and didn’t help highlight where a user should go to accomplish their main goal. In addition to this, the information architecture was scattered. I redesigned the navigation to show the most important pages on the same hierarchy, and then included a profile dropdown with options to log out or visit the account page. While designing, I discovered that being able to favorite coworking spaces or reservable resources was a popular idea. It was included in the final designs, but it was not a part of the original scope of the project.
As for aesthetic changes, color and sizing were the main things I focused on. I ditched the gray background and moved to an almost white color to make the site feel lighter and friendlier. I also reduced the size of the logo so that it wouldn’t be intruding and overpowering. The fonts changed as a part of the shift to the new Branding Guidelines.
SPLIT VIEW SEARCH
Adding the split view search was a big change from the previous Nomad experience, but was a key component of the update. The previous version of Nomad did not have a direct route to search, browse and filter in order to find the right workspace. With the new split view search, users are able to search by location, name, or keyword. After they have searched, they are able to see both the coworking space results and the map. The map can then be dragged to the desired width of the screen, or turned off if necessary. After a search has been made, users are able to filter by date, workspace, and/or amenities. Changing these filters changes the results shown, allowing users to find a coworking space that meets all of their needs.
MORE DETAILS
A large missing piece from the original feature was the ability to see more details about a specific space or reservable resource. I corrected this oversight by giving each space and reservable resource its own page dedicated to just that. Each space page contains space details, reservable resources (phone booths, conference rooms, etc.), the ability to contact the space manager, and the ability to book a visit. Each reservable resource page shows details about the resource and contains the ability to reserve this resource for either the current day, or another day.
SPACE PAGE
RESOURCE PAGE
BOOKING PROCESS
Originally, booking a visit did not allow users to choose their workspace. This was a must have for the Nomad upgrade. It now allows users to choose an upgraded work area, like a dedicated desk or private office, for their Nomad visit. I also included an upgrades section for unlimited coffee, a sit stand desk, etc. These upgrades would be specific to the space, just like the workspaces. In addition to the changes for scheduling a visit, we wanted to allow users to book reservable resources (phone booths, conference rooms, etc.) for their visit right from the Nomad site. This lets users set up spaces where they can take calls or host meetings ahead of time.
SCHEDULE A VISIT
RESERVE RESOURCE
CREDITS
Another deliverable for this project was to add the ability to purchase credits one time instead of subscribing to a membership. I designed a page that could toggle between Monthly Plans and One Time Purchase. The Monthly Plans were redesigned to match the new user interface throughout the site. The One Time Purchase was designed with a slider for credits on the left and a live price update on the right. No matter which side was toggled, the next step would be to checkout.
MONTHLY PLANS
ONE TIME PURCHASE
TAKEAWAYS
Proximity Nomad is an important product that helps users find coworking spaces anywhere in the world. To be truly useful, it needed a major interface and functionality update. This update makes accomplishing goals easier for users and improves their overall experience, which in turn, allows Proximity to offer a more well rounded product. Proximity is doing some truly innovative things and I hope we all get to see something released into the wild soon.
UPDATE
My Proximity Nomad designs were used for a different product after I left the company. Below is a visual of that update.
