Virtual Space Discovery Redesign

Overview

The space discovery sidebar is a core feature in LifeAt that helps users explore virtual spaces. For this redesign, we wanted to improve discovery, showcase premium spaces, and ultimately drive more conversions.

I collaborated with the CEO on design and led both development and data tracking/analysis to ensure a data-driven approach. This impacted 1.5 million users and tripled our conversion rate.

Role

Product Designer and Developer

Timeline

October 2024

Tools

Figma, React

Problem

At this stage in LifeAt, we were focused on refining our core features and increasing revenue. The space discovery sidebar had significant usability issues, making it harder for users to find and engage with spaces.

Key problems


No thumbnails → Users had to rely on text, making it slower to find spaces they liked.


Search was hidden → Many users didn’t even realize they could search.


Premium spaces weren’t highlighted → A missed opportunity for conversions.


Overall UI felt cluttered → The design didn’t make the best use of space.

Key problems


No thumbnails → Users had to rely on text, making it slower to find spaces they liked.


Search was hidden → Many users didn’t even realize they could search.


Premium spaces weren’t highlighted → A missed opportunity for conversions.


Overall UI felt cluttered → The design didn’t make the best use of space.

Key problems


No thumbnails → Users had to rely on text, making it slower to find spaces they liked.


Search was hidden → Many users didn’t even realize they could search.


Premium spaces weren’t highlighted → A missed opportunity for conversions.


Overall UI felt cluttered → The design didn’t make the best use of space.

Design

Our main design goals:


  1. Make search accessible → Integrate search directly into the sidebar.


  1. Showcase spaces visually → Add thumbnails for a more engaging browsing experience.


  1. Improve hierarchy & clarity → Organize content to reduce clutter.


Our main design goals:


  1. Make search accessible → Integrate search directly into the sidebar.


  1. Showcase spaces visually → Add thumbnails for a more engaging browsing experience.


  1. Improve hierarchy & clarity → Organize content to reduce clutter.


Our main design goals:


  1. Make search accessible → Integrate search directly into the sidebar.


  1. Showcase spaces visually → Add thumbnails for a more engaging browsing experience.


  1. Improve hierarchy & clarity → Organize content to reduce clutter.


Final Design

I released the redesign as an A/B test to ensure it didn’t negatively impact user behavior. I also tracked conversion, retention, and engagement metrics to validate success.

I released the redesign as an A/B test to ensure it didn’t negatively impact user behavior. I also tracked conversion, retention, and engagement metrics to validate success.

I released the redesign as an A/B test to ensure it didn’t negatively impact user behavior. I also tracked conversion, retention, and engagement metrics to validate success.

Outcome

After running an A/B test for two weeks, we found that the new sidebar performed significantly better, so we rolled it out to all users. A successful redesign!

Conversion Rate

↑ 3.6x

1.87% → 6.78%

% of Save Spaces

↑ 1.7x

14.9% → 25.1%

Retention

↑ 0.2x

16.6% → 16.8%

While retention remained steady, space saves increased significantly, likely indicating users were discovering more spaces they liked. Most importantly, conversion rates more than tripled—making it clear that the redesign was a success.

👉🏽 Check out the redesign live on LifeAt

Takeaways

  1. Redesigning without disrupting workflows

    • We improved the UI while preserving key usage patterns, making sure the new experience felt familiar and intuitive for existing users.

  2. Effectively testing a redesign

    • Setting up a structured A/B test was crucial. Tracking conversion, retention, and engagement helped us confidently measure the impact and make data-driven decisions.

  1. Redesigning without disrupting workflows

    • We improved the UI while preserving key usage patterns, making sure the new experience felt familiar and intuitive for existing users.

  2. Effectively testing a redesign

    • Setting up a structured A/B test was crucial. Tracking conversion, retention, and engagement helped us confidently measure the impact and make data-driven decisions.

  1. Redesigning without disrupting workflows

    • We improved the UI while preserving key usage patterns, making sure the new experience felt familiar and intuitive for existing users.

  2. Effectively testing a redesign

    • Setting up a structured A/B test was crucial. Tracking conversion, retention, and engagement helped us confidently measure the impact and make data-driven decisions.