Reimagining map experience
Reimagining map experience
Reimagining map experience
How UX Redesign Increased Property Interactions by 60%
How UX Redesign Increased Property Interactions by 60%
How UX Redesign Increased Property Interactions by 60%
I redesigned the property map visuals and interactions in the mobile app, introducing a more user-friendly browsing experience. This led to a 60% increase in map interactions and a 35% boost in user satisfaction.
I redesigned the property map visuals and interactions in the mobile app, introducing a more user-friendly browsing experience. This led to a 60% increase in map interactions and a 35% boost in user satisfaction.
I redesigned the property map visuals and interactions in the mobile app, introducing a more user-friendly browsing experience. This led to a 60% increase in map interactions and a 35% boost in user satisfaction.
My role
My role
Product designer
Product designer
Timeline
Timeline
2 Months (8/2023)
2 Months (8/2023)
Team
Team
12
12
How did it started?
How did it started?
How did it started?
When I joined DealApp as a Product Designer, in my first week there, my friend and manager, Mohammed Medhat, brought my attention to a critical issue in the app’s property browsing map. Both clients and agents were struggling with a clunky, outdated interface that made discovering properties frustrating and unintuitive.
Digging into the data—CTR, engagement metrics, and session recordings on Smartlook—it became clear: the map experience was broken. Users were bouncing almost immediately, showing signs of friction and low interaction. What should have been a key feature had become a dead zone. It was time to rethink the entire flow from the ground up.
When I joined DealApp as a Product Designer, in my first week there, my friend and manager, Mohammed Medhat, brought my attention to a critical issue in the app’s property browsing map. Both clients and agents were struggling with a clunky, outdated interface that made discovering properties frustrating and unintuitive.
Digging into the data—CTR, engagement metrics, and session recordings on Smartlook—it became clear: the map experience was broken. Users were bouncing almost immediately, showing signs of friction and low interaction. What should have been a key feature had become a dead zone. It was time to rethink the entire flow from the ground up.
Project summary
Project summary
Project summary
From challenge to impact: A focused look at the problem, process, solution, and results.
From challenge to impact: A focused look at the problem, process, solution, and results.
From challenge to impact:
A focused look at the problem, process, solution, and results.
User’s Problem
User’s Problem
DealApp’s property map, once intended to support discovery, had become a serious usability blocker. Users—both home-seeking clients and real estate agents—entered the map and immediately hit a wall: stiff navigation, unclear filters, and a lack of guidance. Instead of helping users explore available properties, the map actively worked against them. Smartlook session recordings and in-app engagement metrics revealed a consistent pattern—high bounce rates, minimal interactions, and visible friction across sessions. The experience wasn’t just old; it was failing its purpose.
DealApp’s property map, once intended to support discovery, had become a serious usability blocker. Users—both home-seeking clients and real estate agents—entered the map and immediately hit a wall: stiff navigation, unclear filters, and a lack of guidance. Instead of helping users explore available properties, the map actively worked against them. Smartlook session recordings and in-app engagement metrics revealed a consistent pattern—high bounce rates, minimal interactions, and visible friction across sessions. The experience wasn’t just old; it was failing its purpose.
Design challenge
Design challenge
This wasn’t a minor UI tweak—it was a foundational UX problem dropped on my desk in my very first week at DealApp. The pressure was real. I had to quickly build context, think critically, and design solutions that didn’t just follow best practices—but made sense within users’ existing mental models. I ideated five distinct map exploration concepts, iterated fast, and aligned with stakeholders on the most promising direction. The challenge was not only about proposing a new interface—but securing buy-in for a completely new navigation logic that broke away from what users had been used to.
This wasn’t a minor UI tweak—it was a foundational UX problem dropped on my desk in my very first week at DealApp. The pressure was real. I had to quickly build context, think critically, and design solutions that didn’t just follow best practices—but made sense within users’ existing mental models. I ideated five distinct map exploration concepts, iterated fast, and aligned with stakeholders on the most promising direction. The challenge was not only about proposing a new interface—but securing buy-in for a completely new navigation logic that broke away from what users had been used to.
Our solution
Our solution
We replaced the static flow with a fully interactive, map-first experience. Users can now zoom, pan, and filter listings directly on the map, with dynamic horizontal tabs and segmented filtering options, tailored to their needs—whether browsing properties, exploring requests, or locating agents. A seamless switch between map and list views enables smoother, more engaging and useful navigation.
We replaced the static flow with a fully interactive, map-first experience. Users can now zoom, pan, and filter listings directly on the map, with dynamic horizontal tabs and segmented filtering options, tailored to their needs—whether browsing properties, exploring requests, or locating agents. A seamless switch between map and list views enables smoother, more engaging and useful navigation.
Current solution
At the time, DealApp’s map feature displayed a non-interactive static map of Saudi cities. Users couldn’t zoom, scroll, or freely navigate the map. Instead, the flow was linear: tapping on a city pin opened a view of that city’s districts, and selecting a district would redirect to a property list view—with no map involved from that point on.
Execution Process
To kick off the redesign, I aligned closely with both the product and business teams to surface key use cases, user needs, and context-specific pain points. I mapped out the different browsing goals for clients and agents, then designed wireframes for four distinct map views: one for exploring properties ads by area, one for client-submitted real estate requests, one for promoted listings, and one for viewing agents geographically across KSA. Each concept was rooted in real user behavior and location preferences. Feedback loops were tight—I presented iterations early, refined them collaboratively, and ensured alignment across teams before moving into high-fidelity designs.
Current solution
At the time, DealApp’s map feature displayed a non-interactive static map of Saudi cities. Users couldn’t zoom, scroll, or freely navigate the map. Instead, the flow was linear: tapping on a city pin opened a view of that city’s districts, and selecting a district would redirect to a property list view—with no map involved from that point on.
Execution Process
To kick off the redesign, I aligned closely with both the product and business teams to surface key use cases, user needs, and context-specific pain points. I mapped out the different browsing goals for clients and agents, then designed wireframes for four distinct map views: one for exploring properties ads by area, one for client-submitted real estate requests, one for promoted listings, and one for viewing agents geographically across KSA. Each concept was rooted in real user behavior and location preferences. Feedback loops were tight—I presented iterations early, refined them collaboratively, and ensured alignment across teams before moving into high-fidelity designs.
Solution Values
Solution Values
Location-based browsing
Location-based browsing
Intuitive navigation experience
Intuitive navigation experience
Personalized map views
Personalized map views
Faster access to relevant results
Faster access to relevant results
Numbers speaks
35%
Increase in user satisfaction scores
Increase in user satisfaction scores
87%
Ad Overlap Reduction
Ad Overlap Reduction
60%
More interactions with the map
More interactions with the map
Numbers speaks
35%
Increase in user satisfaction scores
87%
Ad Overlap Reduction
60%
More interactions with the map
Tools & Practices
Tools & Practices
Tools & Practices
Blending product design and growth mindset, i applied several tools and practices throughout the process, ensuring high-quality design outputs.
Blending product design and growth mindset, i applied several tools and practices throughout the process, ensuring high-quality design outputs.
Blending product design and growth mindset, i applied several tools and practices throughout the process, ensuring high-quality design outputs.
Tools
To bring this redesign to life, I combined low-fi thinking with high-fi execution—balancing early sketching and ideation with collaborative design workflows. From aligning with teams to analyzing real user behavior, each tool played a key role in shaping a fast, insight-driven solution.
Notion
Figma
Pen & Paper
Zoom
Smartlook
Slack
Practices
The design approach blended user research with collaborative validation. We gathered input through interviews and surveys, analyzed behavior via session recordings, and tested early concepts to refine usability. Prioritization principles helped focus on what mattered most at each stage.
Stakeholder interviews
Surveys
User behavior recordings
Usability testing
Prioritization metrics
Tools
To bring this redesign to life, I combined low-fi thinking with high-fi execution—balancing early sketching and ideation with collaborative design workflows. From aligning with teams to analyzing real user behavior, each tool played a key role in shaping a fast, insight-driven solution.
Notion
Figma
Pen & Paper
Zoom
Smartlook
Slack
Practices
The design approach blended user research with collaborative validation. We gathered input through interviews and surveys, analyzed behavior via session recordings, and tested early concepts to refine usability. Prioritization principles helped focus on what mattered most at each stage.
Stakeholder interviews
Surveys
User behavior recordings
Usability testing
Prioritization metrics
Visuals
Visuals
Visuals
A snapshot of the final design, highlighting the refined interface, interaction patterns, and the seamless map-first experience delivered to users.
A snapshot of the final design, highlighting the refined interface, interaction patterns, and the seamless map-first experience delivered to users.
A snapshot of the final design, highlighting the refined interface, interaction patterns, and the seamless map-first experience delivered to users.
Ads map
Ads map
This screen displays all active real estate ads on an interactive map, allowing users to explore properties spatially by price and location. Users can filter listings by property type, switch to a list view, and tap on pins to view detailed ad cards. The interface is designed for fast, intuitive browsing, with quick access to filters, view modes, and map controls—all tailored for property seekers on the go.
This screen displays all active real estate ads on an interactive map, allowing users to explore properties spatially by price and location. Users can filter listings by property type, switch to a list view, and tap on pins to view detailed ad cards. The interface is designed for fast, intuitive browsing, with quick access to filters, view modes, and map controls—all tailored for property seekers on the go.
Ads map
This screen displays all active real estate ads on an interactive map, allowing users to explore properties spatially by price and location. Users can filter listings by property type, switch to a list view, and tap on pins to view detailed ad cards. The interface is designed for fast, intuitive browsing, with quick access to filters, view modes, and map controls—all tailored for property seekers on the go.
Requests map
Requests map
Displays live user property requests across the map, allowing agents to explore demand by area and respond to relevant opportunities nearby.
Agents map
Agents map
Shows active real estate agents by location, helping users find nearby professionals based on their area of interest.
Shows active real estate agents by location.
Helping users find nearby professionals based on their area of interest.
Requests map
Displays live user property requests across the map, allowing agents to explore demand by area and respond to relevant opportunities nearby.
Agents map
Shows active real estate agents by location, helping users find nearby professionals based on their area of interest.
Ad preview
Ad preview
Tapping any pin opens a preview card showing key property info—helping users stay focused on the map without breaking flow. Users can swipe to browse other nearby listings, with pin status indicating the current and previously viewed ads. Tapping the card expands it into a full property view for deeper exploration.
submit request
Submit request
When users can’t find what they’re looking for, tapping “اطلب عقارك” opens a smart, in-context request form. It lets them submit their needs quickly—directly within the map—making the process faster, more intuitive, and increasing engagement by converting searchers into active clients.
When users can’t find what they’re looking for,
tapping “اطلب عقارك” opens a smart, in-context request form. It lets them submit their needs quickly—directly within the map—making the process faster, more intuitive, and increasing engagement,
by converting searchers into active clients.
Ad preview
Tapping any pin opens a preview card showing key property info—helping users stay focused on the map without breaking flow. Users can swipe to browse other nearby listings, with pin status indicating the current and previously viewed ads. Tapping the card expands it into a full property view for deeper exploration.
Submit request
When users can’t find what they’re looking for, tapping “اطلب عقارك” opens a smart, in-context request form. It lets them submit their needs quickly—directly within the map—making the process faster, more intuitive, and increasing engagement by converting searchers into active clients.
Ads list
Ads list
Accessible from the map via the “قائمة” button, this screen displays property ads in a scrollable list—perfect for users who prefer viewing details in a structured, card-based format with direct actions like sharing, saving, and WhatsApp contact.
Accessible from the map via the “قائمة” button, this screen displays property ads in a scrollable list—perfect for users who prefer viewing details in a structured, card-based format with direct actions like sharing, saving, and WhatsApp contact.
Ads list
Accessible from the map via the “قائمة” button, this screen displays property ads in a scrollable list—perfect for users who prefer viewing details in a structured, card-based format with direct actions like sharing, saving, and WhatsApp contact.
Learnings
Learnings
Learnings
Reflections, takeaways, and what I’d do differently.
Reflections, takeaways, and what I’d do differently.
Reflections, takeaways, and what I’d do differently.
What did I learn?
What did I learn?
What did I learn?
Jumping into a high-impact flow during my first week pushed me to think fast, design smarter, and collaborate deeply. I learned how to balance speed with structure, lean on my team—Mohammed, Somaya, Aya, and Yara—and design around real behaviors, balancing business needs with design best practices. Most importantly, I learned when to lead, when to let go, and how to keep momentum without losing clarity.
Jumping into a high-impact flow during my first week pushed me to think fast, design smarter, and collaborate deeply. I learned how to balance speed with structure, lean on my team—Mohammed, Somaya, Aya, and Yara—and design around real behaviors, balancing business needs with design best practices. Most importantly, I learned when to lead, when to let go, and how to keep momentum without losing clarity.
What went well?
Cross-team alignment made all the difference. From research insights to design critiques, everyone contributed meaningfully. Getting out a high-fidelity design variants quickly and landing on one strong direction helped us build confidence fast. The new experience improved engagement, simplified decision-making for users, and earned trust and confidence of the design team across the board.
What could be improved?
Looking back, we could’ve pushed usability testing earlier in the process to validate edge cases. Some UI logic could’ve been simplified further, especially around agent views. And while we moved fast, I’d invest more in documenting interaction rules to make handoff smoother and decisions clearer.
What went well?
Cross-team alignment made all the difference. From research insights to design critiques, everyone contributed meaningfully. Getting out a high-fidelity design variants quickly and landing on one strong direction helped us build confidence fast. The new experience improved engagement, simplified decision-making for users, and earned trust and confidence of the design team across the board.
What could be improved?
Looking back, we could’ve pushed usability testing earlier in the process to validate edge cases. Some UI logic could’ve been simplified further, especially around agent views. And while we moved fast, I’d invest more in documenting interaction rules to make handoff smoother and decisions clearer.
What went well?
Cross-team alignment made all the difference. From research insights to design critiques, everyone contributed meaningfully. Getting out a high-fidelity design variants quickly and landing on one strong direction helped us build confidence fast. The new experience improved engagement, simplified decision-making for users, and earned trust and confidence of the design team across the board.
What could be improved?
Looking back, we could’ve pushed usability testing earlier in the process to validate edge cases. Some UI logic could’ve been simplified further, especially around agent views. And while we moved fast, I’d invest more in documenting interaction rules to make handoff smoother and decisions clearer.
Keep Exploring
Keep Exploring
Keep Exploring
More projects, more perspective—see what else is shaping the way I design.
More projects, more perspective—see what else is shaping the way I design.
More projects, more perspective—see what else is shaping the way I design.
Lets Talk!
Send me a message describe what is in your mind, I'll get back to you ASAP. See you soon!
Lets Talk!
Send me a message describe what is in your mind, I'll get back to you ASAP. See you soon!
LET'S CONNECT
I collaborate with ambitious teams and founders around the world to craft digital experiences that connect, engage, and drive real impact.
Let’s talk if you’re building something meaningful.
LET'S CONNECT
I collaborate with ambitious teams and founders around the world to craft digital experiences that connect, engage, and drive real impact.
Let’s talk if you’re building something meaningful.
LET'S CONNECT
I collaborate with ambitious teams and founders around the world to craft digital experiences that connect, engage, and drive real impact.
Let’s talk if you’re building something meaningful.
