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.

Three smartphones displaying the ParkSuite app interface: the first shows the 'Add Vehicle' screen with vehicle details, the middle shows the app's splash screen with logo, and the third displays a map with parking and price options.

Research & Discovery

Four icons with text labels: a clock with 'Time Anxiety' noting users' anxiety about pressed time; a hand with a heart labeled 'Trust Issues' about concerns over advertisement availability; a loading spin icon labeled 'Cognitive Load' about app switching friction; and a dollar sign in a presentation screen labeled 'Price Transparency' about hidden fees or costs.
Four icons with text labels: a clock with 'Time Anxiety' noting users' anxiety about pressed time; a hand with a heart labeled 'Trust Issues' about concerns over advertisement availability; a loading spin icon labeled 'Cognitive Load' about app switching friction; and a dollar sign in a presentation screen labeled 'Price Transparency' about hidden fees or costs.

  • 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


A style guide explaining color palette and typography. Color palette includes blue, purple, light gray, and orange with respective hex codes. Typography details specify font styles, sizes, and spacing for headings and small headings.
A style guide explaining color palette and typography. Color palette includes blue, purple, light gray, and orange with respective hex codes. Typography details specify font styles, sizes, and spacing for headings and small headings.

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"

Mobile app screen showing a map of Austin, Texas, with parking lot options by price and type, and a booking schedule with start and end times.
Mobile app screen showing a map of Austin, Texas, with parking lot options by price and type, and a booking schedule with start and end times.

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

Comparison of a mobile app interface showing the process of adding a vehicle before and after a usability study. The left screen displays a form for entering license plate, state, nickname, and a button to add the vehicle with a keyboard visible. The right screen shows a more streamlined version with pre-filled info, a profile picture, and an easier-to-read layout.

Usability Testing

Comparison of three smartphone screens showing a map and parking reservation app interface, illustrating the before and after usability study states with details like start times, end times, and map updates.

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.