Exploriq

Exploriq is a mobile app that helps people who are new to a place. It makes it easier to find jobs, explore the city, join local events, and meet new friends — all in one app.

Prototype Link

Role

UX Designer

Timeline

6 Weeks

Team

Solo Project

Tools

Figma, Google forms, Google slides, Jira, Slack, Adobe Photoshop

ABOUT

The Project

Exploriq helps newcomers settle into the Bay Area by offering personalized job suggestions, local events, community connections, and fun exploration challenges. It makes exploring, finding jobs, and meeting people simple and enjoyable.

This project was born from understanding the unique challenges that immigrants and foreign residents face when moving to a new place—isolation, job searching difficulties, and cultural adaptation.

The Problem

When people move to a new place, they often feel lost and alone. They don’t know how to find a job, make friends, or understand the local culture. Adjusting can be difficult without the right support and information.

The Solution

A user-friendly platform providing essential resources on housing, job opportunities, and community connections for a smoother transition and stronger sense of belonging.

RESEARCH

User Research

I conducted 5 in-depth interviews with recent immigrants to understand their experiences.

Research Questions

  • How was your experience when you first moved here?
  • What was the most difficult part of adjusting?
  • How did you go about finding your first job?
  • Was it hard to make new friends after you moved?
  • What would have made it easier to settle in?

Key Findings

  • Many felt “overwhelmed” or experienced “culture shock”
  • Managing expenses in California’s high-cost area was tough
  • Job search was challenging due to visa issues and lack of local experience
  • Making friends was difficult due to cultural differences
  • Users wanted an app to feel “at home” in their new environment

I conducted structured interviews and synthesized data into an Affinity Diagram and Empathy Map to uncover deep-seated user needs.

Key Insight

  • Users are overwhelmed by generic internet data; they crave “honest, minute-detail guidance” from locals to navigate daily life.
  • Newcomers struggle with a dual-pressure to achieve Economic Stability (jobs/housing) and Social Integration(community) simultaneously.
  • While users appear “curious” externally, internally they feel high stress from “job search silence” and the fear of isolation.
  • Research revealed a preference for connecting through shared niche interests (hiking, gaming) rather than formal networking.
  • The job search is the biggest pain point, highlighting a need for automated resume tools and clear, separate categories for professional vs. social content.

User Persona

Based on the research, I created Alex—a 30-year-old marketing professional who recently moved to the Bay Area.

Social Connections

Eager to make friends but struggles with social anxiety

Social Connections

Eager to make friends but struggles with social anxiety

Local Exploration

Wants to discover new places and local culture

Events

Looking for community events to meet people

USER JOURNEY

Mapping Alex’s journey from discovering the app to feeling at home.

The Design Process

My process moved from abstract research to refined, user-tested prototypes.

Features

MoSCoW Prioritization

We prioritized features based on user needs and technical feasibility.

Must Have
  • Job Search and Tracking
  • Language Support
  • Community Connection Forum
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Local Resource Directory
  • Cultural Guide
Should Have
  • Personalized Recommendations
  • Events and Activities Calendar
  • Profile Setup with Preferences
  • Budgeting Tools
Could Have
  • Real-Time Job Application Tracking
  • Gamified Exploration Challenges
  • Volunteer and Mentor Matching
  • Multilingual Support
Won’t Have (Now)
  • In-Depth Career Coaching
  • Advanced AI-Powered Chat Support
  • Extensive Cultural Content
  • Onboarding Services for Pets/Children
  • Cultural Guide

Design

High - Fidelity Designs

The final UI designs incorporating user feedback from usability testing.

RESULTS

Design Outcomes

01

Personalized job and event recommendations based on user profile

02

Community forums connecting newcomers with locals and other immigrants

03

Gamified exploration challenges encouraging users to discover their city

04

Mentor-matching features pairing newcomers with experienced residents

REFLECTION

Key Learnings

This project taught me the power of empathy in design. Speaking directly with immigrants about their experiences opened my eyes to challenges I hadn’t considered.

The How-Now-Wow matrix was incredibly useful for generating and organizing ideas. It helped balance practical solutions with innovative features.

I learned that belonging is about more than just resources-it’s about connection, community, and feeling welcomed. The app needed to facilitate human connections, not just provide information.