Lyft App = Good Design

Good design should be seamless. It should be so integrated into the functionality of the product that the consumer doesn’t even recognize that it’s good design…he or she is just happy that the product works! Good design shouldn’t be intrusive. It shouldn’t offer too much…only the tools to get the job done and not so much information that it causes confusion and mixed messages. Good design benefits the consumer. And when it does that, people will come back and use your product again.

This summer, I experienced using the Lyft app and its services for the first time. If you haven’t heard of it before, Lyft’s a ridesharing service like Uber. I live in the Wichita, KS area, which is a small-ish town, so I haven’t used either before. However, on a recent trip to DC, it was very helpful.

As a designer and web person, here’s what I loved about the Lyft experience

The app was a piece of cake to use. This spoke VOLUMES to me. I downloaded the app, opened it up and entered my phone number. The app instantly texted me a verification code, which I entered. No passwords, nothing. I know I entered and verified my email address at some point as well and also entered my CC details, but the whole signup process was very simple. I liked how the experience was managed by the app through the ride as well…Lyft texted me when the driver arrived and afterwards I rated and had the option to tip the driver.

Anyway, I think enterprises like Lyft, Uber, Airbnb etc are here to stay. Technology makes the service seamless even though each individual experience is different. Without technology, something like this would be impossible. What needs do you see that technology could help solve?