Hey, I’m Monica.

Crafting intuitive digital experiences through thoughtful design and user-centered solutions.

  • Park Suite Case Study

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Park Suite Case Study

Project Overview

Role: UX/UI Designer
Timeline: 8 weeks
Tools: Figma, Adobe Photoshop
Type: Capstone UX Project


ParkSuite, parking locator app was an idea that started from the personal frustration of finding parking in the downtown area.

Research & Discovery

  • User Interviews (8 participants): Conducted interviews with regular urban drivers to understand pain points.

    Surveys (17 responses): Gathered quantitative data on parking habits and frustrations.

    Contextual Inquiry: Observed 4 users attempting to find parking in downtown areas.

    Competitive Analysis: Analyzed 5 existing parking apps (ParkWhiz, SpotHero, ParkMobile)

  • Insights: I found that although many of the people I interviewed some personas had different motivations and goals when locating a parking spot.  

    Primary: Lisa, The Practical Commuter
    Drives to work 5 days/week in downtown area
    Values predictability and wants to pre-book spots

    Felicia: The Cautions Urbanite
    32-year-old who drives into the city for events.
    Values price comparison and clear directions

  • Time Anxiety: 73% of users reported feeling stressed when searching for parking, especially when time-constrained

    Price Transparency: Users wanted upfront pricing without hidden fees or surprises

    Trust Issues: Many users expressed concern about whether advertised spots would actually be available

    Cognitive Load: Switching between multiple apps (parking, maps, payment) created friction

    Last-Mile Problem: Finding the exact parking entrance was consistently problematic

Design Goals

  • Reduce search time by providing real-time parking availability


  • Increase transparency with upfront pricing and facility details



  • Streamline payment through integrated mobile payments


  • Improve wayfinding with turn-by-turn navigation to parking spots


Design Solutions

  • The app opens with a clear value proposition and streamlined account creation. Users can sign up via email or Google account with minimal friction, getting them to the core functionality quickly.

  • Users can search by:

    • Current location

    • Specific address or destination

    • Time range (immediate or future booking)

    • Price range and parking type

    • Amenities (covered, EV charging, security)

  • The booking interface minimizes steps:

    • Select start time and end time with intuitive time picker

    • View total cost calculation in real-time

    • One-tap confirmation with saved payment method

    • Instant booking confirmation with QR code.

  • Created a sitemap prioritizing three core user flows:

    1. Quick search and book (power users)

    2. Explore and compare (price-conscious users)

    3. Navigate to spot (wayfinding support)

    Contextual Inquiry: Observed 4 users attempting to find parking in downtown areas.

    Competitive Analysis: Analyzed 5 existing parking apps (ParkWhiz, SpotHero, ParkMobile)

  • Problem 1: Users waste time driving around looking for available parking

    Solution: Real-time availability map with color-coded indicators

    • Implemented an interactive map showing parking locations with green (available), yellow (limited), and red (full) markers

    • Added filter options for price range, distance, and spot type (garage, street, lot)

    • Included occupancy predictions based on historical data
      Values predictability and wants to pre-book spots

    Felicia: The Cautions Urbanite
    32-year-old who drives into the city for events.
    Values price comparison and clear directions

  • Problem 2: Price comparison requires opening multiple apps and websites

    Solution: Unified pricing display with transparent fee breakdown

    • Designed comparison cards showing total cost including all fees

    • Added "Best Value" and "Closest" badges to help decision-making

    • Integrated sorting options (price, distance, rating, availability)

  • Problem 3: Users struggle to find parking entrances once they arrive

    Solution: Turn-by-turn navigation with entrance-specific directions

    • Partnered navigation flow with visual cues for parking entrance

    • Added photo references of entrances from street view

    • Implemented proximity alerts: "You're approaching your parking spot"

Process

    • 8 participants (mix of user personas)

    • Task-based testing scenarios

    • Think-aloud protocol

    • Post-test interviews and surveys

  • Successes:

    • 100% task completion rate for primary booking flow

    • Average booking time: 47 seconds

    • "Very easy" rating: 87.5% of participants

    • High satisfaction with map interface and visual design

    • Users wanted ability to compare multiple spots side-by-side

    • Confusion about parking spot numbering in large facilities

    • Request for photos of actual parking spots, not just facilities

    • Desire for notifications about price drops or availability

Usability Testing

Challenges & Learning

    • Integrating real-time availability from multiple parking providers

    • Ensuring accurate GPS positioning in urban canyons

    • Balancing map performance with data freshness

    • Simplifying complex information without losing important details

    • Designing for various parking types (street, garage, lot, valet)

    • Creating intuitive wayfinding in multi-level structures.

    1. Real-time data is critical: Users prioritize accuracy over additional features when it comes to availability information.

    2. Visual hierarchy matters: In a map-heavy interface, strategic use of color and size helps users process information quickly.

    3. Trust is earned through transparency: Showing all costs upfront, including fees, builds user confidence and reduces booking abandonment.

    4. Context is king: Users need different information at different stages of their journey (searching vs. navigating vs. parked).

Conclusion

ParkSuite solves city parking problems by focusing on good design, real-time information, and an easy-to-use mobile app. We listen to users and improve based on their feedback, so our solution stays simple, reliable, and enjoyable.

Contact Me

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Contact Me 〰️

moniaesco@gmail.com