Doorly / a mobile app to bring neighbors together

In most urban centers we live meters apart, but feel miles away from our neighbors.

Key Pain Points:
😔 Social Isolation: "I've lived here 3 years and only know 2 neighbors"

💬 Communication Chaos: WhatsApp groups become dumping grounds - important messages buried under memes

🔨 Resource Waste: Everyone owns a drill they use twice a year

🍎 Food Waste: Good food thrown away while neighbors might need it

😟 Social Anxiety: "Is it weird to knock on their door to ask for help with moving the sofa?"

I analyzed existing solutions from competitors to understand what works and what's missing:

WhatsApp Groups 

• No organization = important info lost
• No categories = mix of emergencies and memes
• Privacy concerns = phone numbers exposed

Nextdoor

• Too broad (entire neighborhoods)
• Feels less safe/intimate
• Complex features = low adoption

Facebook Groups 

• Too public
• Cluttered with ads

Key Insight
"People want connection but need structure and permission to interact with neighbors"

Doorly replaces chaotic WhatsApp groups with an organized, category-based system where neighbors post requests instead of sending messages that get buried. Key features include smart notifications with daily digest options, a verified neighbor directory for when direct contact is needed, and the ability to save and search posts by category. This structured approach transforms building communication from noise to purposeful connections, making it easy to find what you need and natural to help your neighbors.

I applied fundamental UI principles to create an intuitive experience, using size and color to establish clear visual hierarchy, maintaining consistent spacing and alignment for a clean aesthetic, and maintaining consistent navigation patterns.

I chose a warm color palette with high contrast ratios for accessibility, implemented a clear typographic scale to guide the eye, and used white space strategically to prevent cognitive overload.

Every decision aimed to make the interface feel approachable and trustworthy, proving that good design doesn't need to be complex.

Below you'll find images and interactive prototypes showcasing key user flows within Doorly. I've created video walkthroughs to demonstrate micro-interactions, transitions, and the overall flow - giving you a realistic feel for how neighbors would actually experience the app. Each video highlights specific design decisions in context, from the onboarding journey to daily usage patterns.