Share Space
Mobile App for Creators
REC Philly is a creative coworking hub in Philadelphia with over 1,000 members. Previously, all studio bookings were handled manually through a single front desk coordinator, causing overbooking, long wait times, and missed opportunities for creators to connect.
We designed and launched a mobile app that lets members book rooms, make payments, and connect with other creatives — streamlining operations and building a stronger community.
- UX/UI Design
- Information Architecture (IA)
- Design System
- High-Fidelity Prototypes
Problem
REC Philly managed room bookings through phone calls with one front desk coordinator. This led to several issues:
- Members couldn't see room availability
- Double bookings and long wait times were common
- Some rooms were overused while others sat empty
- There was no way for members to connect, share gigs, or find collaborators
Phone-based booking
- Call the front desk to check availability
- One coordinator managing all requests manually
- Double bookings and no-shows were common
- No way to see what spaces were free
- Members had no way to connect with each other
Self-serve mobile app
- Browse and book spaces anytime, in-app
- Real-time availability across all rooms
- Payments handled directly through the app
- Member profiles and community discovery
- Job board and direct messaging between creatives
Solution
We built a self-serve mobile app for REC members, replacing the phone-based process and adding key community features.
- Book and cancel rooms anytime
- Pay for reservations directly through the app
- Build profiles and connect with other creatives
- Find or post job opportunities in the community
Information Architecture
I mapped the current and ideal user experience to identify gaps and streamline the structure. This became the foundation for the app's navigation and core feature set.
The redesigned structure gives members a clear path to book, pay, and connect — with fewer steps and no front desk dependency.
A prioritized feature map of all core user stories, used to align the team on scope before design began.
User Flows
I designed clear, intuitive user flows for the core actions members needed most: booking a room, joining the community, and purchasing a membership. Each flow focused on reducing friction and helping users reach their goal in just a few steps.
This was the most frequent task for members, so I focused on speed and clarity. The goal was to let users quickly see available spaces, apply filters, and confirm their booking with minimal effort.
- Choose space by type, size, or capacity
- View real-time availability
- Select date and time
- Confirm and pay in-app
Members wanted more ways to connect and collaborate. I created a flow that made it easy to browse member profiles, explore jobs, and reach out to others.
- View community members by type or interest
- Browse events or job listings
- Tap into a profile for more details
- Message or connect directly in-app
Guests could explore the app, but full access required a membership. I designed this flow to clearly explain benefits, offer different plans, and guide users through onboarding.
- Create account as guest
- See membership tiers and benefits
- Choose a plan
- Upgrade and complete payment
Wireframes
Before jumping into high-fidelity design, I created wireframes to define layout, content structure, and flow logic. These helped me quickly test ideas and collaborate with the team before polishing the UI.
I designed this flow to minimize friction. Key elements include space filters, availability preview, time slot selection, and booking confirmation.
The goal here was to help creatives find each other by interest, skill, or availability. I focused on profile cards, search filters, and connection actions.
This onboarding path was designed for first-time users — either signing up as a guest or activating a membership with a referral.
Visual Design
The final UI brings REC's bold creative energy into a simple, mobile-first experience. I focused on clarity, ease of use, and consistency — especially across high-traffic screens like booking and membership.
Designed for speed and clarity. Users can filter spaces, see live availability, and book in just a few taps.
Helps creatives discover and connect with each other. Clean layout, visual hierarchy, and simple actions.
Turn guests into members with a smooth plan comparison and payment flow.
Prototyping & Feedback
I built an interactive high-fidelity prototype focused on three core user flows: booking a room, exploring the community, and purchasing a membership. This allowed us to gather early feedback before development.
We shared the prototype with REC's internal team and met in person with the front desk coordinator, Scarlett, to observe how the app could fit into their real-world workflows.
- The self-serve booking flow was easy to follow and removed a huge burden from the front desk
- The visual clarity of room availability helped avoid overlap and confusion
- Scarlett's friendly interaction style inspired the idea of the "Scarlett Chatbot," giving the app a warm, familiar tone
Outcome
This feedback validated our design direction and helped align the app with the real needs of both staff and members. Minor adjustments were made to strengthen the visibility of time slots, and the chatbot feature was added as a thoughtful touch to reflect the REC community's personality.
Takeaways
- Client meetings are most effective with a clear agenda and goal alignment. I learned to structure conversations to stay focused, prioritize key decisions, and make the most of everyone's time.
- Visiting the client's space made a huge difference. Observing Scarlett, the front desk coordinator, helped us understand the real challenges and rhythms of day-to-day bookings.
- That moment inspired a feature. Scarlett's warmth and helpfulness became the foundation for our in-app chatbot — designed to feel familiar, friendly, and human, just like she is in real life.
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