Jaime Cibrán

The what

Feelsteps is a student project created as part of a Master’s program in UX design. The general theme of the course focused on the experience of foreigners moving to the city of Madrid. The main goal of the project is to help ease the feelings of loneliness and frustration that newcomers often experience when adapting to a new country.

The challenge

Immigrants arriving in Madrid without a support network face a critical first month. The primary challenge consisted of mitigating the loneliness, uncertainty, and stress stemming from the housing search and bureaucratic procedures. The goal was to transform an overwhelming experience into a supported, secure, and emotionally manageable process.

Design Questions (HMW):

How Might We reduce loneliness during the housing search?

How Might We manage the uncertainty and stress of the process?

How Might We provide security in an unfamiliar and competitive environment?

Methodology

A User-Centered Design (UCD) and Double Diamond approach was applied, divided into several phases:

Discover: To understand the problem, a deep immersion into the reality of immigrants in Madrid was conducted.
- Secondary research through studies, official documents, reports, and forums to understand the Madrid real estate market.
- Qualitative research: Interviews with 4 differents users to identify emotional patterns and logistical barriers.

Definition of Insights: Translation of findings into design opportunities (e.g., the direct link between loneliness and administrative anxiety).

Development of Prototyping and Iteration: Design of the "Feelstep" solution, focusing on wellness micro-actions and mood tracking.

Research & Key Insights

Through secondary research and user interviews, I identified patterns that defined the product:

The Community Buffer: Immigrants with local friends report significantly lower stress levels than those who arrive alone.

Bureaucracy = Trauma: Paperwork (NIE, empadronamiento) is the moment of greatest frustration, especially for non-EU citizens.

Analysis Paralysis: Time pressure in the Madrid market forces rushed decisions made under a negative emotional state

Displacement A sense of not belonging to the new environment.

Observations

Solution: Feelsteps

Feelstep is not a housing search app; it is a landing companion. Its goal is to provide emotional support and operational clarity during the first 30 days.

Functionality:

Smart Personal Calendar:
Allows users to plan and prioritize daily tasks—such as administrative procedures, apartment visits, or paperwork—with flexible reminders adapted to each user’s pace.

Daily Emotional Support
Offers personalized micro-actions to promote well-being, such as going for a walk, writing a positive thought, or contacting a trusted person. If the app detects the user is experiencing discomfort, it suggests activities to help improve their emotional state.

Contact Zone & Support Network
A dedicated space was added to maintain connections with loved ones or connect with others facing similar situations, fostering empathy and emotional support among users.

Visible Progress Bar on the Home Screen
Added a progress indicator that allows users to visualize their advancement in both relocation-related and personal tasks, reinforcing a sense of achievement and control over the process.

“Path” Screen
Introduced a new view where users can review cumulative progress from previous days, recalling completed steps and visualizing overall evolution. This feature strengthens motivation and the perception of continuity during adaptation.

Feelsteps Prototype

Learnings

Designing for real people changed my perspective. Before conducting user interviews, I assumed that finding housing was the biggest challenge. Speaking with participants helped me realize that loneliness and uncertainty had an even greater impact on their overall experience, and that emotional needs are just as important as practical ones.

Don't fall in love with your first idea. Throughout the project, I discovered that some features I initially considered essential didn't actually address users' core needs. I learned the importance of iterating and letting research drive design decisions.

Research is the foundation of good design. his project taught me that interviewing users, synthesizing findings, and translating insights into design opportunities are just as important as creating polished interfaces. Good design starts long before opening Figma.

Small design decisions can have a meaningful impact. Features such as a progress tracker, gentle reminders, and supportive messages may seem simple, but they can help users feel more in control and motivated during a stressful transition.

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