Introducing Pillow: A prototyped website dedicated to making your search for your new home as easy as a good night's rest!
Pillow is an app that helps you search for homes and properties while also getting financially prepared. It includes tools to find the right realtor, guides on the steps to buying a home, and plenty of other helpful features!
I originally prototyped this app in early 2024, and I absolutely loved the idea. But, I decided to use my current skillset to make the app even better! See my process below:
Planning (Low-Fidelity):
I had an idea of what I wanted the app to look like--the features, the basic layout, and its overall interactivity.
Features I wanted to add:
-Financial dashboard (so users can keep track of their savings and even categorize it)
-Homepage with "Feed" that attracts users to scroll and easily find resources like links to help for the process of buying a home.
-Profile page with user information and a calendar that automatically updates based on property tours you have scheduled.
-A page to find Realtors who are best fit for users. Go through ratings, reviews, and quick bio.
Wireframing (Medium-Fidelity)
Based on my initial sketches, I moved into the wireframing stage to start shaping the app’s structure. After finalizing a color palette that suited the concept, I researched user scrolling behaviors to ensure the interface would feel intuitive and seamless. My goal was to create an app with a natural flow—one that homeowners could easily navigate. I prioritized including features that support every stage of the homeownership process, so users could manage or reference everything they need within the app itself. Wireframing helped me visualize how to distribute resources efficiently across pages to enhance usability.
These are the general frames I came up with:
Prototyping:
Link to Figma (Still prototyping, Link Coming Soon)
Loading Brand Page
The loading screen introduces users to Pillow’s brand identity. It features an illustration of a family in a warm, homely environment—even before they’re in a physical home—highlighting the emotional connection and comfort Pillow aims to offer. This sets the tone for the user experience and reinforces Pillow’s mission to bring families closer to finding their perfect home.
The loading screen introduces users to Pillow’s brand identity. It features an illustration of a family in a warm, homely environment—even before they’re in a physical home—highlighting the emotional connection and comfort Pillow aims to offer. This sets the tone for the user experience and reinforces Pillow’s mission to bring families closer to finding their perfect home.
Sign In / Create Account
This secure entry point ensures users can confidently save their favorite homes, manage chats, and access personalized features. Privacy and security were top priorities here, allowing users to trust the platform with their sensitive information.
This secure entry point ensures users can confidently save their favorite homes, manage chats, and access personalized features. Privacy and security were top priorities here, allowing users to trust the platform with their sensitive information.
Personal Profile Page
Functioning like a personal assistant, this page includes an integrated calendar to manage upcoming house tours, meetings, and personalized reminders. It’s designed to help users stay organized and engaged throughout their home search.
Functioning like a personal assistant, this page includes an integrated calendar to manage upcoming house tours, meetings, and personalized reminders. It’s designed to help users stay organized and engaged throughout their home search.
Chat
The chat feature enables seamless communication between all parties involved in the home-buying process—users, agents, and service providers—conveniently managed within the app.
The chat feature enables seamless communication between all parties involved in the home-buying process—users, agents, and service providers—conveniently managed within the app.
Recommended Realtors
This page uses data such as user preferences, reviews, and ratings to suggest realtors that best fit the user's needs. Each realtor profile includes a short bio, real-time ratings, and verified reviews to help users make informed decisions.
This page uses data such as user preferences, reviews, and ratings to suggest realtors that best fit the user's needs. Each realtor profile includes a short bio, real-time ratings, and verified reviews to help users make informed decisions.
Finance Dashboard
The finance section provides users with an overview of their financial readiness, including credit check details and savings tracking. It empowers users to understand and manage their finances as they prepare for one of life’s biggest purchases.
The finance section provides users with an overview of their financial readiness, including credit check details and savings tracking. It empowers users to understand and manage their finances as they prepare for one of life’s biggest purchases.
Original Prototype:
At first, Pillow was only a webpage and wasn't adaptable as a mobile app. All the features I am including will be a better fit as an app because they enhance usability, accessibility, and the overall user experience.
Noted Changes/Design Explanation:
By transitioning to a mobile app, Pillow will take advantage of features like push notifications, offline functionality, and a more intuitive, touch-friendly interface.
This allows users to interact with the app seamlessly on the go, making it more practical and engaging for daily use. Additionally, the app design prioritizes responsive layouts, faster load times, and personalized user experiences, ensuring that Pillow adapts to user needs and their mobile devices.
