AVIS Car Hire 2019 – 2020

AIM

To create a modular white-label app for quick rebranding and redesign, with new technologies and dev environment for Avis Budget Group brands (Avis, Budget and ZipCar) on a new mobile platform.

CHALLENGES

• Complexity of the Existing System
• Multiple Stakeholder Involvement
• Diverse Requirements
• External Developers
• Frequent Iterations
• Migration to a New Platform
• New Tools Integration
• Future-proofing the App

MY ROLE

• User Research
• Competitive Research
• Workflow Streamlining
• Developer Collaboration
• Prototyping
• Creation of a Design System
• UI / UX Design
• Art Direction
• Design Documentation

PROJECT STYLE

• Agile Kanban
• 2 Week Sprints
• 3 Week Demos

TEAMS

• External React Developers
• External Flutter Developers
• Internal Testers

Process

RESEARCH

• Frustrations and pain points
• Customer interviews
• What do they want?
• What do they need?
• Stakeholder wants and needs
• Competitor research

CONCEPTUALISE

• Vehicle hire requirement
• Feature prioritisation
• Stakeholder workshops
• Understanding wants/needs
• Design for easy Development
• Bi-weekly presentations
• Introduction of new tools

DESIGN

• Wireframing
• Prototyping
• Atomic design systems
• Hi-fidelity designs
• Whitelabel designs
• Component-based design
• Bi-weekly presentations
• Internal user tests
• Design documentation

Research and Design

Redesigned the AVIS app from scratch for simplification.
Conducted pen-and-paper research.
Designed user journeys and prototypes.

Workflow Streamlining

Streamlined the workflow from wireframes to development using Sketch, Invision, Adobe XD, and Zeplin.

I led the complete redesign of the AVIS app to create a more user-friendly experience. This included conducting pen-and-paper research, creating user journeys, and building prototypes. At the same time, I optimised the workflow by seamlessly integrating tools like Sketch, Invision, Adobe XD, and Zeplin, ensuring a seamless transition from wireframes to development.

Project Phases

Phase One: Broke down requirements for vehicle hire, pick-up, and return based on the station’s capabilities.
Phase Two: Created wireframes, presented them to stakeholders, and noted new requirements.

Collaboration

Worked closely with front-end developers.
Used React and Flutter for mobile development.

During the project, I worked closely with front-end developers to improve mobile development. This collaboration was crucial in the early stages, where we analysed the requirements for vehicle hire, pick-up, and return, customising them to suit the capabilities of each station. In the following phase, I created wireframes, consistently involving stakeholders for feedback, and adjusted to new requirements as they arose.

Developer Collaboration

Redesigned the AVIS app from scratch for simplification.
Provided external developers with screens for each development stage.
Conducted sessions to introduce screens and user journeys using Zeplin.
Facilitated weekly sessions that included developer demos.
Approved or suggested amendments based on these demos.

UI Design and Prototyping

Started the UI design upon each stage of approval.
Created user-friendly prototypes for stakeholder testing.

In crafting the app, we prioritised longevity, ensuring resilience in the dynamic tech landscape. I was at the helm of UI/UX design and developer collaboration. Opting for Google’s Flutter—a fresh yet robust technology—we benefited from its dual compatibility with iOS and Android, which expedited our development and bolstered our bug-fixing prowess. My design approach was rooted in the atomic design system, offering agility to modify design elements and swiftly roll out new functionalities. After each approval milestone, I delved into the UI design, producing high-fidelity prototypes for stakeholder evaluation. To bridge the gap between design and development, I shared essential screens with external developers and arranged regular sessions. These sessions, punctuated with developer demos, fostered a vibrant feedback ecosystem, empowering me to either greenlight the work or pinpoint areas for refinement.