2026
UX/UI Design + Identity
UX/UI Designer
Many space owners have unused time in their properties but lack a simple and reliable way to rent them out. Managing inquiries, scheduling, payments, and communication can feel overwhelming and time-consuming, making it difficult to turn empty space into consistent income.
Hostamia provides a centralized platform where hosts can list their spaces, manage bookings, communicate with guests, and receive secure payouts, all in one place. By streamlining the rental process, the app removes friction and makes earning extra income straightforward and manageable.
UX research, UI design, Branding
To better understand the needs of space owners, I conducted the following research strategies: Online survey with 4 potential hosts, 2 virtual interviews with creative space owners and a competitive analysis of existing rental platforms. This mixed approach helped uncover both behavioural patterns and emotional pain points.
Hosts worry about trust and security, especially around equipment damage and unreliable renters.
Hosts want control over availability and approval, rather than instant auto-bookings.
Many hosts find managing bookings manually (DMs, spreadsheets, emails) overwhelming.
Transparent fee breakdowns help build trust in the platform.
Clear and reliable payout timing is extremely important to hosts.
Hosts prefer an app that feels simple and focused, not cluttered with unnecessary features.
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To better understand Hostamia's strengths and weaknesses I created a SWOT Analysis.
Through user interviews and research, I was able to identify 6 key user pain points.
Lack of personalized tools for improving speaking skills
Limited time to practice consistently or attend coaching sessions
Anxiety when speaking in high-pressure situations like interviews
Speaking practice often feels awkward or directionless when done alone
Difficulty getting feedback that's specific, helpful, and non-judgmental
No easy way to track progress or know if they’re actually improving
After gathering insights, I focused on defining the core challenge users face. I created a clear user persona, Identified the users needs and the main problems they face to guide the design. This helped narrow the scope and shape a focused solution that aligned with real user needs.
Space owners struggle to manage bookings, payments, and communication in a simple, trustworthy way, which prevents them from confidently renting out unused space.
A clear and flexible way to control how booking requests are approved.
Transparent visibility into their earnings and payout history.
Reassurance that their space and equipment are protected throughout each booking.
A centralized place to manage and track communication with guests.
After reviewing the app requirements, I created a sitemap to define the overall structure. I separated the experience into host and guest interfaces to reduce complexity and create more focused interactions for each user type.
I created the logo, colour palette, wireframe and developed a design system for the app to visually communicate Hostamia's brand identity.
Finally, I delivered polished, high-fidelity designs that brought everything together.
