Bondly
Bondly: kickstarting innovation in community management
Bondly centralizes communication, event coordination, and amenity management into a single, intuitive platform, improving connections, operational efficiency, and the resident experience.
The clients approached me due to inefficiencies with fragmented systems for communication, events, and amenity bookings, which led to slow processes and low engagement. They needed a consolidated platform to streamline operations and enhance the experience for both residents and managers.
My expertise in developing MVPs for real-world problems enabled me to centralize these tasks into one seamless platform.
Challenges
Managing modern residential communities comes with its unique set of challenges. From fragmented communication tools to inconsistent engagement strategies, these obstacles hinder both resident satisfaction and operational efficiency. Without a cohesive approach, communities often struggle to create a seamless, connected, and thriving living environment. Here are the core challenges Bondly aims to address:
User personas
By defining the user personas, I can ensure that the platform addresses real challenges faced by administrators and residents, aligning its features with their daily realities. This approach keeps the user at the center of every decision, fosters empathy, and provides a clear, shared reference for the team.
Competitor analysis
To address the identified gaps and enhance the platform, I decided to incorporate these features into the product roadmap. By adding online portals for event and payment management, internal messaging, and customizable dashboards, I aimed to streamline communication and improve operational efficiency for both residents and administrators. I also focused on user engagement with features like forums, interest groups, and a news feed for updates. Optional functionalities such as flexible payment options, geo-targeting, and merchandise were introduced to further personalize the experience and meet diverse community needs.
What, how, why
Using the "What, How, Why" framework allows me to dive deeper into the client's business needs. It helps me understand the core challenges they're facing, the specific goals they want to achieve, and how the solution can directly address those needs. This approach ensures that the design is not only user-friendly but also closely aligned with the business objectives, leading to more impactful and relevant solutions.
Solutions
These solutions address key challenges by streamlining processes and enhancing the experience for both residents and administrators.
Service blueprint
I decided to create a service blueprint to better visualize and streamline the user experience and backend processes in Bondly. By mapping out the steps involved, it helps to identify potential pain points, improve efficiency, and ensure seamless interactions for both residents and administrators. Below is an example for a resident. Scenario: A resident uses Bondly to book an amenity by selecting from available options, inviting guests, and completing payment through an intuitive interface.
Sitemap
I have prepared sitemaps for both the admin platform and the resident app. Below is an example of the sitemap for the resident app.
Wireframing
I created wireframes to visualize the interface structure and functionality early in the design process, ensuring clear communication and a solid foundation for further development and user testing.
Mood boards
To define the visual direction, I created two moodboards for evaluation and received the following feedback: 1st Mood board
1. Appreciated the clean and approachable design language.
2. The font choice resonated well, being clean and non-intrusive.
3. Suggested avoiding this shade of blue as it feels overused.
2nd Mood board
1. While they preferred the design language of the first mood board, they liked the icons in this one.
2. Disliked orange, preferred green and fewer warm tones.
Conclusion: I decided to merge the strengths of both mood boards, incorporating the clean design language and font style of the first with the iconography of the second. The final direction avoids orange, focusing instead on a harmonious balance with cold green and neutral tones.
Design system
I created the design system to establish a unified and scalable framework for Bondly, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints. It provides clear guidelines for typography, color, components, and interactions, allowing the team to build efficiently and maintain a cohesive user experience.
Typography and color palette
I chose Mulish for Bondly because it offers a clean, modern look with excellent readability. Its versatile weights create clear hierarchy, enhancing usability while maintaining a professional, approachable aesthetic.
The color palette for Bondly is carefully crafted to reflect the brand's core values of trust, simplicity, and community. The primary colors evoke a sense of professionalism and reliability, while accent colors add vibrancy and engagement. Each shade was selected to create an intuitive, welcoming experience for both residents and administrators, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across the platform and app.
Amenities
In Bondly, booking an amenity is quick and seamless: residents select their desired amenity, filter by date and time, and view relevant details like event schedules, descriptions, and cancellation policies. They can choose a time slot, invite guests from the resident directory or add non-residents, answer any required questions, review the booking summary, and complete payment through a secure, intuitive interface.
1. Simple, intuitive interface reduces booking time.
2. Customizable options enhance flexibility.
3. Integrated guest invitations streamline event planning.
4. Secure payment ensures convenience and trust.
Interest groups
In Bondly, interest groups are community-driven spaces where residents can connect over shared hobbies, passions, or topics. These groups foster social interaction, encourage collaboration, and help residents engage more deeply with their neighbors. One of the key benefits is the ability to organize and create group events, making it easier to plan and participate in activities that align with group interests. This not only strengthens community bonds but also enhances overall user engagement within the platform.
Membership management
In the admin panel of Bondly, membership management allows administrators to efficiently oversee and control resident memberships within the community. They can also track membership statuses, monitor activity, and send notifications to residents for updates or reminders. This streamlined management process enhances operational efficiency and ensures a secure and well-organized community environment. Additionally, admins can group members based on interests or other criteria, enabling targeted communication and engagement efforts..
Group management
Group management in the Bondly admin panel allows administrators to create, organize, and oversee interest-based groups within the community. Admins can easily create new groups, assign members, and manage group settings, ensuring that residents are connected based on shared interests or goals. They can also monitor group activities, facilitate communication within groups, and organize group events.
1. Increased engagement through shared interests.
2. Easy group creation and management by admins.
3. Integration of events within groups.
4. Customizable settings and membership controls.
5. Improved communication via centralized platform for discussions.
The MVP for Bondly is designed to streamline community management and enhance resident engagement. By focusing on key features such as intuitive booking systems, interest groups, and seamless communication tools, the platform simplifies administrative tasks and improves the user experience. With features like customizable events, secure payments, and easy member management, Bondly creates a more connected and efficient environment for both administrators and residents, allowing them to focus on what matters most — building a vibrant community.
