UI REDESIGN

Mobile Application

Role

Principal UI/UX Designer

Company

Carvana (Self-Initiated Project)

Project

Interface Redesign

Platforms

Mobile Application

Project Overview

Redesign the UI/UX

The Carvana mobile app enables users to browse and purchase vehicles online. However, the existing design suffered from cluttered UI elements, inefficient navigation, and unclear organization of key features, leading to a suboptimal user experience. The redesign aimed to address these challenges by streamlining navigation, improving clarity, and enhancing overall usability.

The Problem

The app’s UI contained excessive elements that made navigation difficult, leading to redundancy in search and filtering features. Notifications and recommendations were not easily noticeable, and icons for saved searches and favorites were confusing. These design flaws hindered the user experience and made it harder for users to find and save vehicles effectiv

The Goal

The goal of this redesign was to simplify the interface, improve search efficiency, and create a structured browsing experience. By decluttering the UI, integrating filters directly into the search bar, and refining key user interactions, the redesign aimed to make vehicle discovery seamless and engaging.

Responsibilites

  • Conducted a usability audit of the current Carvana app to identify pain points.
  • Designed a cleaner, more structured UI using a card-based layout.
  • Streamlined the search experience by removing redundant elements and integrating filtering.
  • Improved notifications and recommendations visibility through color highlights and better placement.
  • Introduced a clear distinction between saved searches and favorites by replacing the heart icon with a bookmark.
  • Created interactive prototypes to test and validate design improvements.

Research

Before the Usability Study

  • Users found the search experience confusing, as both a button and a search bar were present.
  • Filters were placed separately from search, leading to unclear interactions.
  • Notification visibility was poor, making it easy to miss important updates.
  • The favorites and saved searches used the same icon, creating ambiguity.
  • The vehicle browsing experience lacked structure, making it harder to scan through options efficiently.

After the Usability Study

  • Streamlined search experience by consolidating navigation into a single, clear search bar.
  • Filters were integrated into the search bar, allowing for immediate refinement.
  • Notifications were given a dedicated section with a highlighted color, improving visibility.
  • Saved searches and favorites were distinguished clearly with separate icons for each.
  • Vehicle browsing was improved with a horizontally scrolling featured section, making it easier for users to scan through highlighted options.

FINAL DESIGN

Original

Concept

Going Forward

Impact

  • Improved user clarity – A structured layout reduced cognitive load and enhanced usability.
  • More intuitive search & filtering – Consolidation simplified interactions and improved efficiency.
  • Notifications were given a dedicated section with a highlighted color, improving visibility.
  • Better engagement with key features – Highlighted notifications and featured sections improved user interaction.
  • Enhanced consistency in UI elements – Clear differentiation between icons improved usability.