UI/UX Design of ”Cari Kos PKU” Application Using Design Thinking Method

Abstract

Students and employees often face difficulties in finding boarding houses that meet specific criteria such as location, price, and facilities. Inefficient and time-consuming search processes are the primary obstacles. This research aims to design the user interface and user experience (UI/UX) of the "Cari Kos PKU" application as a digital solution for boarding house searches in Pekanbaru City that is user-friendly and meets user needs. The method employed is Design Thinking, which includes the stages of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Prototype design was conducted using Figma, resulting in both low-fidelity and high-fidelity designs. Testing utilized the System Usability Scale (SUS) with 10 questions. Based on responses from 31 participants, the test yielded a SUS score of 70.24, categorized as "Acceptable."The "Cari Kos PKU" solution provides location and price filters for targeted searching. Verified property information assists users in making better and faster decisions. This application is expected to serve as a reference for developing more comprehensive mobile-based housing search platforms in the future. This study also demonstrates that the Design Thinking approach is effectively applied in UI/UX design based on user needs, as each stage focuses on a deep understanding of the real problems faced by students and employees. Featuring filter-based searches, a favorites system, direct messaging to property owners, and informative property details, the "Cari Kos PKU" application is designed to provide an intuitive, efficient, and pleasant user experience. The results of this research are expected to guide developers of similar applications in designing better digital housing platforms, particularly to meet the needs of students and employees in Pekanbaru City.