The idea of this app started with the universal problem-finding a clean, accessible restroom while out and about. Public restroom accessibility is often unreliable, leading to frustration, health concerns, and safety issues, particularly for women.
With limited resources guiding people to accessible and clean restrooms, I was tasked to design a solution that ensures efficient restroom discovery while offering features that build a health-conscious platform.
My Design Process
Integrate the AI background of Virufy into their website and design the AI client-facing app to be clear, functional, and trustworthy.
I conducted a survey of 25 individuals with diverse backgrounds to understand their experiences, frustrations, and unmet needs when it came to finding a restroom.
Need
100%
All participants have felt the need to use the restroom while traveling / at work.
Accessibility
44%
Some participants reported that they would never pay to use a public restroom.
Convenience
13 of 25
Around half would use a nearby restroom instead of waiting to go home.
Asking users about their personal experiences and stories uncovered a more in-depth understanding of their problems. By looking at these problems, we can synthesize them into clear goals for our designs.
Anonymous Person #1
"It's a shame that some basic toilets are not for public use. I spent almost half an hour just trying to find a place.
Anonymous Person #2
"I was once directed to a staff restroom at a hospital who told me I wouldn't find the general female toilet clean. "
Anonymous Person #3
"Mostly I can control myself, but when I need to go I will start searching on the highway until I find a clean restroom."
Anonymous Person #4
" I keep finding myself using public bathrooms, only to regret it right after because they feel so dirty and unsafe most of the time"
Summary of Pinpointed Issues
Unclear quality ratings - Users struggle to determine which nearby bathrooms are clean/safe due to inconsistent or missing reviews and ratings.
Limited accessibility info - Many restrooms lack details on accessibility and cost, making it difficult for users to find free or disability-friendly options.
Navigation challenges - Users find it difficult to locate restrooms due to unclear directions and lack of helpful notes on entrances or landmarks.
Wasted time on detours - Users struggle to find restrooms that fit their route, often taking unnecessary detours that add time to their trip.
Translated real research into features that directly solved user problems.
While designing wireframes, I continued to refine user flows, scenarios, and the information architecture for better usability. Ongoing notes and meetings with the team was crucial throughout development.
With a fast-paced timeline as the sole UX designer, I built a strong foundation for Peece Tech’s MVP. I established the design language, structured content, and created high-fidelity mockups for key features like the map, filters, and community forums.
Adding ratings and reviews lets users share restroom accessibility, cleanliness, and location details, which results in filling in the major gaps in typical navigation apps. This feature improves information sharing, fosters community contribution, and enhances overall user satisfaction and engagement within Peece Tech.
Overcoming limited restroom info
Users contribute real-time ratings and reviews, filling gaps left by standard navigation apps.
Facilitating Informed Decision-Making
Crowd-sourced insights help users find restrooms based on hygiene, accessibility, or convenience.
Enhancing engagement & trust
Transparency and user feedback drive reliability, encouraging participation and boosts trust.
The filtered search feature allows users to refine their restroom search based on accessibility, cleanliness, availability, amenities, etc, overcoming the limitations of standard navigation apps. By enabling personalized and efficient discovery, this feature saves time, enhances confidence, and addresses users' personal needs within Peece Tech.
Personalized search experience
Users can quickly find restrooms that match their specific needs, such as accessibility, cleanliness, or amenities.
Time-Saving convenience
Eliminates the hassle of browsing irrelevant options, ensuring users locate the best restroom efficiently.
The community forums feature provides a space for users to share experiences, ask questions, and exchange insights outside of just restroom related topics. By offering a place for discussions and collaboration this feature enhances engagement and a sense of well-being within Peece Tech.
Encouraging community support
Users can connect, share experiences, and collaborate, creating a sense of belonging beyond restroom-related topics.
Boosts user retention
engaging discussions and ongoing interactions encourage users to return, keeping them actively involved in the Peece Tech community.
This role challenged me to push my thinking and develop new collaboration skills in ways I never have before. Because Peece Tech is a smaller team, managing my workload whilst effectively communicating to the founders taught me SO much about product strategy, cross-collaborative work, and industry workflow.
Product Strategy
Working in a fast-paced startup taught me to think critically, prioritize effectively, and align solutions with business goals.
Startup workflow is FAST
Balancing contract work with school and other internships taught me to stay flexible, work efficiently, and deliver designs ahead of schedule.
Collaboration is KEY
Collaborating with founders and a small team strengthened my ability to communicate design decisions and adapt to evolving strategy.
Samridhi Bhardwaj
CEO / Founder @ Peece Tech
Some nice words from the founder
"Working with Dylan at Virufy was a pleasure; he's a talented UI/UX designer with a sharp eye for detail, innovative ideas, and strong reliability in meeting deadlines and collaborating."