KEYS Locals

Building digital platforn to connect Neighbors and Empowering Local Communities

Years

2022-2023

Role

Lead designer

Team

3 Designers
Product Owner
Development Team

Activities

Team Leading
User Research
Visual Design Prototyping
Design System

about

Keys Community needed a digital platform to transform how residential communities connect and operate. The existing property management landscape was fragmented, with multiple disconnected channels for communication and services.

Our task expanded from creating a simple communication tool to developing a comprehensive ecosystem serving five distinct user groups: residents, property managers, committee members, local businesses, and service providers.

Keys Community needed a digital platform to transform how residential communities connect and operate. The existing property management landscape was fragmented, with multiple disconnected channels for communication and services.

Our task expanded from creating a simple communication tool to developing a comprehensive ecosystem serving five distinct user groups: residents, property managers, committee members, local businesses, and service providers.

Keys Community needed a digital platform to transform how residential communities connect and operate. The existing property management landscape was fragmented, with multiple disconnected channels for communication and services.

Our task expanded from creating a simple communication tool to developing a comprehensive ecosystem serving five distinct user groups: residents, property managers, committee members, local businesses, and service providers.

challenge

With limited resources: just three designers and a 12-month timeline to launch both mobile and desktop applications, we needed to efficiently prioritize features while building a foundation that could scale with the platform's growth.

With limited resources: just three designers and a 12-month timeline to launch both mobile and desktop applications, we needed to efficiently prioritize features while building a foundation that could scale with the platform's growth.

With limited resources: just three designers and a 12-month timeline to launch both mobile and desktop applications, we needed to efficiently prioritize features while building a foundation that could scale with the platform's growth.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Discovery

Discovery

To understand the diverse needs of community stakeholders, we conducted:

To understand the diverse needs of community stakeholders, we conducted:

  • User interviews with 15 participants across different community roles

  • Competitive analysis of existing community and property management platforms

  • Stakeholder workshops to align on vision and priorities

  • User interviews with 15 participants across different community roles

  • Competitive analysis of existing community and property management platforms

  • Stakeholder workshops to align on vision and priorities

User Interviews & Personas

We spoke with residents, property managers, committee members, and local business owners to understand their goals, pain points, and expectations.

We spoke with residents, property managers, committee members, and local business owners to understand their goals, pain points, and expectations.

Property Managers

Need efficient tools to communicate with residents, manage maintenance requests, and organize community affairs.

Need efficient tools to communicate with residents, manage maintenance requests, and organize community affairs.

Committee Members


Committee Members

Require platforms for transparent decision-making, project management, and community engagement.

Require platforms for transparent decision-making, project management, and community engagement.

Residents

Want simple ways to stay informed, connect with neighbors, access services, and participate in community activities.

Want simple ways to stay informed, connect with neighbors, access services, and participate in community activities.

Local Businesses

Need visibility within the community and ways to offer services to local residents.

Need visibility within the community and ways to offer services to local residents.

Service Providers

Require efficient ways to receive and manage service requests from community members.

Require efficient ways to receive and manage service requests from community members.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Personas overview

Outcome

Our research concluded that successful community platforms need to balance managing practical aspects of community living with fostering neighbors connection.

Our research concluded that successful community platforms need to balance managing practical aspects of community living with fostering neighbors connection.

Design Solution

Mobile App: Community in Your Pocket

The mobile app serves as residents' primary touchpoint with their community, featuring

  • Personalized home feed with community updates

  • Direct messaging with neighbors and property management

  • Community events and projects

  • Local services marketplace

  • Voting tools for community decisions

100+

Screens

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Desktop Experience: Powerful Management Tools

The desktop platform provides robust functionality for property managers and committee members

Main features

Main features

  • Comprehensive dashboard for community oversight

  • Advanced reporting and document management

  • Project planning and tracking tools

  • Community engagement analytics

50+

Screens

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

PoC: Administrator CRM for Streamlining Operations

We developed a specialized interface for property managers that includes:

Main features

Main features

  • Resident management tools

  • Maintenance request tracking

  • Communication templates and scheduling

  • Financial management features

10+

Screens

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Impact & Results

Results

The Keys Locals platform still under last stages of development but design approach helped with:

Unified Experience

Seamless interaction across mobile and desktop

Comprehensive Features

Supporting all five user personas

Scalable Foundation

Architecture ready for future growth

Conclusion

The Keys Locals platform demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform community living—connecting neighbors, simplifying property management, and fostering local engagement in a single, cohesive digital ecosystem.

The Keys Locals platform demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform community living—connecting neighbors, simplifying property management, and fostering local engagement in a single, cohesive digital ecosystem.

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