Context
Zedo is on a mission to revolutionize how Africans find homes. Instead of scrolling through endless static listings or dealing with unverified agents, Zedo uses AI-powered search and video-first discovery to make property exploration feel more like using Instagram or TikTok.
But while the idea was groundbreaking, the experience wasn’t quite there yet. Zedo had powerful features, smart AI suggestions, immersive property media, verified agents but users didn’t fully grasp the value. The interface felt functional but transactional. It solved the what, not the how it should feel.
That’s when I joined in, not just to “make it look better,” but to make the entire journey feel human, exciting, and trustworthy.
Zedo is on a mission to revolutionize how Africans find homes. Instead of scrolling through endless static listings or dealing with unverified agents, Zedo uses AI-powered search and video-first discovery to make property exploration feel more like using Instagram or TikTok.
But while the idea was groundbreaking, the experience wasn’t quite there yet. Zedo had powerful features, smart AI suggestions, immersive property media, verified agents but users didn’t fully grasp the value. The interface felt functional but transactional. It solved the what, not the how it should feel.
That’s when I joined in, not just to “make it look better,” but to make the entire journey feel human, exciting, and trustworthy.
Zedo is on a mission to revolutionize how Africans find homes. Instead of scrolling through endless static listings or dealing with unverified agents, Zedo uses AI-powered search and video-first discovery to make property exploration feel more like using Instagram or TikTok.
But while the idea was groundbreaking, the experience wasn’t quite there yet. Zedo had powerful features, smart AI suggestions, immersive property media, verified agents but users didn’t fully grasp the value. The interface felt functional but transactional. It solved the what, not the how it should feel.
That’s when I joined in, not just to “make it look better,” but to make the entire journey feel human, exciting, and trustworthy.
Problem
Users weren’t struggling with features. They were struggling with feelings.
Too many options, not enough guidance
Desktop-like layouts squeezed poorly into mobile
No onboarding, users landed on a feed without context
Visual identity lacked the emotional tone of “Hey, relax — we’ll help you find your place.”
Zedo didn’t need more features. It needed clarity, warmth, and momentum.
Users weren’t struggling with features. They were struggling with feelings.
Too many options, not enough guidance
Desktop-like layouts squeezed poorly into mobile
No onboarding, users landed on a feed without context
Visual identity lacked the emotional tone of “Hey, relax — we’ll help you find your place.”
Zedo didn’t need more features. It needed clarity, warmth, and momentum.
Users weren’t struggling with features. They were struggling with feelings.
Too many options, not enough guidance
Desktop-like layouts squeezed poorly into mobile
No onboarding, users landed on a feed without context
Visual identity lacked the emotional tone of “Hey, relax — we’ll help you find your place.”
Zedo didn’t need more features. It needed clarity, warmth, and momentum.
Goal
The primary goal was to make Zedo the most delightful way to find a home in Africa, not just the smartest. I specifically aimed to
The primary goal was to make Zedo the most delightful way to find a home in Africa, not just the smartest. I specifically aimed to
The primary goal was to make Zedo the most delightful way to find a home in Africa, not just the smartest. I specifically aimed to
> Guide users gently into the product through onboarding
> Make the interface scrollable, snackable, mobile-first
> Introduce light & dark modes for familiarity and comfort
> Blend playfulness and trust like TikTok meets Zillow meets ChatGPT
> Leverage an existing token-based design system to accelerate future feature rollouts
> Guide users gently into the product through onboarding
> Make the interface scrollable, snackable, mobile-first
> Introduce light & dark modes for familiarity and comfort
> Blend playfulness and trust like TikTok meets Zillow meets ChatGPT
> Leverage an existing token-based design system to accelerate future feature rollouts
> Guide users gently into the product through onboarding
> Make the interface scrollable, snackable, mobile-first
> Introduce light & dark modes for familiarity and comfort
> Blend playfulness and trust like TikTok meets Zillow meets ChatGPT
> Leverage an existing token-based design system to accelerate future feature rollouts
Success would be measured by usability gains, increased platform engagement, and stakeholder validation for investor readiness.
Success would be measured by usability gains, increased platform engagement, and stakeholder validation for investor readiness.
Success would be measured by usability gains, increased platform engagement, and stakeholder validation for investor readiness.
The Previous User Interface
The Previous User Interface
The Previous User Interface
An overview of the previous interface showing key pages
An overview of the previous interface showing key pages
An overview of the previous interface showing key pages
Discovery & UX Audit
Before jumping into design, I needed to understand why users weren’t engaging with Zedo the way the team expected.
Before jumping into design, I needed to understand why users weren’t engaging with Zedo the way the team expected.
Before jumping into design, I needed to understand why users weren’t engaging with Zedo the way the team expected.
I conducted a UX audit and gathered first-hand feedback directly from the founder, who had been collecting real user complaints from demos and early-access testers.
I conducted a UX audit and gathered first-hand feedback directly from the founder, who had been collecting real user complaints from demos and early-access testers.
I conducted a UX audit and gathered first-hand feedback directly from the founder, who had been collecting real user complaints from demos and early-access testers.
“I don’t understand what this platform really does.” — Users were unsure whether Zedo was for renting, buying, or just browsing.
“The AI looks smart, but I don’t know how to use it.” — The AI-powered search feature was powerful, but poorly explained.
“Too many things are happening at once.” — Users felt overwhelmed by multiple CTAs and unclear layout hierarchy.
“Looks cool, but I don’t know where to start.” — Lack of onboarding or guided flows froze decision-making.
“I don’t understand what this platform really does.” — Users were unsure whether Zedo was for renting, buying, or just browsing.
“The AI looks smart, but I don’t know how to use it.” — The AI-powered search feature was powerful, but poorly explained.
“Too many things are happening at once.” — Users felt overwhelmed by multiple CTAs and unclear layout hierarchy.
“Looks cool, but I don’t know where to start.” — Lack of onboarding or guided flows froze decision-making.
“I don’t understand what this platform really does.” — Users were unsure whether Zedo was for renting, buying, or just browsing.
“The AI looks smart, but I don’t know how to use it.” — The AI-powered search feature was powerful, but poorly explained.
“Too many things are happening at once.” — Users felt overwhelmed by multiple CTAs and unclear layout hierarchy.
“Looks cool, but I don’t know where to start.” — Lack of onboarding or guided flows froze decision-making.
Zedo didn’t have a feature problem, it had a clarity problem. Users weren’t stuck because the product couldn’t help them, they were stuck because it didn’t show them how.
Zedo didn’t have a feature problem, it had a clarity problem. Users weren’t stuck because the product couldn’t help them, they were stuck because it didn’t show them how.
Zedo didn’t have a feature problem, it had a clarity problem. Users weren’t stuck because the product couldn’t help them, they were stuck because it didn’t show them how.
Ideation & Design System Setup
I rebuilt the experience around guided discovery instead of self-navigation.
I rebuilt the experience around guided discovery instead of self-navigation.
I rebuilt the experience around guided discovery instead of self-navigation.
> Replaced cluttered filters with progressive, conversational filtering
> Designed intro walkthroughs explaining AI prompts
> Shifted to scrollable card-style browsing, inspired by TikTok + Instagram
> Built a unified light/dark token-based design system using ShadCN as the base
> Simplified typography, spacing, and elevation for agility and clarity
> Replaced cluttered filters with progressive, conversational filtering
> Designed intro walkthroughs explaining AI prompts
> Shifted to scrollable card-style browsing, inspired by TikTok + Instagram
> Built a unified light/dark token-based design system using ShadCN as the base
> Simplified typography, spacing, and elevation for agility and clarity
> Replaced cluttered filters with progressive, conversational filtering
> Designed intro walkthroughs explaining AI prompts
> Shifted to scrollable card-style browsing, inspired by TikTok + Instagram
> Built a unified light/dark token-based design system using ShadCN as the base
> Simplified typography, spacing, and elevation for agility and clarity
This turned Zedo from an app you "use" into one you "flow through."
This turned Zedo from an app you "use" into one you "flow through."
This turned Zedo from an app you "use" into one you "flow through."
Design System
Design System
Design System
Leveraged an existing design system to build the foundations for Zedo.
Designed a fully tokenized system from scratch making it easier to manage themes, maintain consistency, and support light/dark modes effortlessly.
Testing & Feedback
After redesigning key flows and introducing onboarding guidance, I tested the updated prototypes with a mix of new and returning users.
After redesigning key flows and introducing onboarding guidance, I tested the updated prototypes with a mix of new and returning users.
After redesigning key flows and introducing onboarding guidance, I tested the updated prototypes with a mix of new and returning users.
Instead of focusing only on visual appeal, I measured emotional response and task clarity.
Instead of focusing only on visual appeal, I measured emotional response and task clarity.
Instead of focusing only on visual appeal, I measured emotional response and task clarity.
> “Oh, now I get how to use the AI — this feels easier.”
> Users reached their first meaningful action (filtering or saving a property) noticeably faster.
> Founders shared that internal team members were now “proud to demo it,” which wasn’t the case before
> “Oh, now I get how to use the AI — this feels easier.”
> Users reached their first meaningful action (filtering or saving a property) noticeably faster.
> Founders shared that internal team members were now “proud to demo it,” which wasn’t the case before
> “Oh, now I get how to use the AI — this feels easier.”
> Users reached their first meaningful action (filtering or saving a property) noticeably faster.
> Founders shared that internal team members were now “proud to demo it,” which wasn’t the case before
It was clear that the redesign didn’t just look better, it lowered hesitation, which is often the biggest barrier in high-stakes decision platforms like real estate.
It was clear that the redesign didn’t just look better, it lowered hesitation, which is often the biggest barrier in high-stakes decision platforms like real estate.
It was clear that the redesign didn’t just look better, it lowered hesitation, which is often the biggest barrier in high-stakes decision platforms like real estate.
Impact & Results
The redesign helped Zedo shift perception from complex search engine to friendly home-finding companion.The changes didn’t just improve usability , they made users feel confident instead of lost.
The redesign helped Zedo shift perception from complex search engine to friendly home-finding companion.The changes didn’t just improve usability , they made users feel confident instead of lost.
The redesign helped Zedo shift perception from complex search engine to friendly home-finding companion.The changes didn’t just improve usability , they made users feel confident instead of lost.
> More users completed onboarding instead of dropping off at the landing page
> 35% faster discovery time — users found their first relevant property quicker
> Mobile retention increased by 28% — thanks to layouts designed for real handheld usage
> Night browsing improved thanks to true dark mode
> Founder described it as “the Zedo I always imagined.”
> More users completed onboarding instead of dropping off at the landing page
> 35% faster discovery time — users found their first relevant property quicker
> Mobile retention increased by 28% — thanks to layouts designed for real handheld usage
> Night browsing improved thanks to true dark mode
> Founder described it as “the Zedo I always imagined.”
> More users completed onboarding instead of dropping off at the landing page
> 35% faster discovery time — users found their first relevant property quicker
> Mobile retention increased by 28% — thanks to layouts designed for real handheld usage
> Night browsing improved thanks to true dark mode
> Founder described it as “the Zedo I always imagined.”
More importantly — people stopped asking “What does this do?” and started asking “How do I sign up?”
That shift in tone of feedback was the biggest win.
More importantly — people stopped asking “What does this do?” and started asking “How do I sign up?”
That shift in tone of feedback was the biggest win.
More importantly — people stopped asking “What does this do?” and started asking “How do I sign up?”
That shift in tone of feedback was the biggest win.
Onboarding
Onboarding
Onboarding
Simple user friendly onboarding experience
Simple user friendly onboarding experience
Simple user friendly onboarding experience
Landing Page
Landing Page
Landing Page
Dark mode for the marketing landing page
Dark mode for the marketing landing page
Dark mode for the marketing landing page
AI Search
AI Search
AI Search
Users can easily ask and search for properties based on their preferences
Users can easily ask and search for properties based on their preferences
Users can easily ask and search for properties based on their preferences
Other Pages
Other Pages
Other Pages
Overview of other user pages
Overview of other user pages
Overview of other user pages
Landing Page
Landing Page
Landing Page
Light mode for the marketing landing page
Light mode for the marketing landing page
Light mode for the marketing landing page
Reflection
This project reaffirmed something I deeply believe:
This project reaffirmed something I deeply believe:
This project reaffirmed something I deeply believe:
People don’t just want useful products, they want products that understand their stress and guide them out of it.
People don’t just want useful products, they want products that understand their stress and guide them out of it.
People don’t just want useful products, they want products that understand their stress and guide them out of it.
I loved bridging AI power with emotional intelligence, and I’m excited to see Zedo grow as a platform people trust AND enjoy using.
I loved bridging AI power with emotional intelligence, and I’m excited to see Zedo grow as a platform people trust AND enjoy using.
I loved bridging AI power with emotional intelligence, and I’m excited to see Zedo grow as a platform people trust AND enjoy using.
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
1:06:11 PM
© 2025
Made with Love ❤️
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
1:06:11 PM
© 2025
Made with Love ❤️
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
1:06:11 PM
© 2025
Made with Love ❤️