07 / 2025
Reservations screen redesign:
simple, structured,
and user-friendly
Created as part of a recruitment task
👀 Problem
Created as part of a recruitment task, this case study examines the Reservations screen (Fig. 1 below) of a fictional hotel management platform. According to the brief, the screen lacked structure and hierarchy, making it hard for receptionists and property managers to quickly access key information. This led to inefficiency, overlooked details, and user frustration.
🎯 Solution
I redesigned the Reservations screen (Fig. 1 below) make key information clear and easy to find (a simple, logic structure and intuitive layout), helping staff work faster and with less frustration.
⛔️ Limitation
I had only a few days to complete the project, working only from the brief.
💼 My tasks
✅ desk research
✅ analysis of the existing solution
✅ defining key tasks
✅ competitor analysis & benchmarking
✅ information architecture
✅ high-fidelity wireframes
✅ copywriting
1 / DISCOVER
Brief
This project was based on a recruitment task. The goal was to redesign the table component on the Reservations screen. The brief provided the following information:
Description
You are working on a hotel management platform designed for administrators of small and medium-sized lodging facilities (3–50 rooms or apartments).
Problem
The current reservations table (Fig. 1 below) causes user frustration – data is displayed in a chaotic way, with no clear visual hierarchy, and key information gets lost in details. Administrators spend on average 40% more time on basic operations compared to competing systems. The table requires a complete redesign to better reflect actual business needs.
Target users
The target users include receptionists and property owners who need to monitor the occupancy status of rooms.
Format
A Figma project presenting the desktop version of the table design (1440px).
Timeline
It is recommended to spend no more than 6–8 hours on this task.
Fig. 1. Screen of the original table component before redesign.
2 / DISCOVER & DEFINE
Users & their needs + context of use
Users & their needs + context of use
Here I explored the project context and mapped out user needs. This step helped me shape solutions tailored to real user expectations.
💫 High-level motivation
/ 01
STAFF
Staff responsible for managing occupancy want both guests and their employer to be satisfied. They can achieve this goal through fast, reliable, and friendly reservation handling.
OWNER
Property owners want a calmer and more convenient life, so they aim to maximize their business revenue. This can be achieved by attracting a high number of guests - both new and returning after a positive stay. The better the receptionists’ work quality, the easier it is to provide a seamless guest experience.
🏨
Context of use
/ 02
The insights for this task are based on my observations of reception work and personal experience in the role (during university). Ideally, user needs would be validated through in-depth interviews or direct observation.
Handling multiple tasks at once (e.g., check-ins while answering calls)
Need for immediate and accurate information (e.g., room availability inquiries)
Managing large amounts of information, often in a foreign language
High responsibility and stress under tight time constraints
Constantly changing workload due to new bookings from different sources
Coordination with other receptionists
Limited experience, especially among younger staff
⭐️
Insights
Users need immediate access to key information, which requires a clear content hierarchy. To support quick access, the platform should also provide search and filtering options.
The interface should remain as simple and transparent as possible, with information presented unambiguously to support work under stress and with large volumes of data.
🛎️
Key tasks
/ 03
To discover user needs, I defined the main tasks of reservation managers. I used the User Stories technique.
As a receptionist I want to…
As a receptionist
I want to…
->
interact with guests so that I can provide good service
->
manage reservations (create, edit, cancel) so that bookings are accurate and up-to-date
->
control billing and payments so that transactions are correct
->
monitor occupancy status so that I have a clear overview of room availability
->
check room availability for specific dates so that I can respond to inquiries quickly
->
communicate housekeeping tasks to responsible staff so that rooms are properly prepared
->
maintain proper documentation so that records are complete and organized
->
monitor occupancy status so that I have a clear overview of room availability
⭐️
Insights
The solution should provide efficient reservation management, allowing users to view, create, edit, and delete reservations.
It should display key information such as reservation and payment status, as well as room occupancy for each day.
⛳️
Main pain points
/ 04
I collected some insights from comments under YouTube tutorials for hotel management systems. Where data was lacking, AI-generated information was used as hypotheses.
🔴
Too many clicks for simple actions, unnecessary buttons
🔴
High system complexity
🔴
Unattractive and outdated visual design
🔴
Non-intuitive layout, users must memorize the system
🔴
No quick search function (e.g., by phone number)
🔴
Difficulties editing reservations after saving and deleting
⭐️
Insights
The platform should provide quick access to key information with minimal clicks, a clear content hierarchy, and fast search and filtering.
It should be intuitive and focused on daily tasks, while less-used features remain easily accessible. The platform must be flexible, error-resistant, and visually appealing.
📝
Analysis of the current Reservation screen
/ 05
Based on the analysis of the table (below) from the brief, I developed a set of recommendations.
⭐️
Insights
/ 01
The screen should focus on its primary goal. Currently, room-related data is displayed first. For this project, I focus on reservation management.
/ 02
If we assume the goal is reservation management, data that is not relevant should be moved or hidden.
/ 03
Reservation-related data - time, guest, and room - should be prioritized. A linear calendar view makes room occupancy easier to understand.
/ 04
The interface should follow the receptionist’s workflow, with visual hierarchy and logical order of columns and filters.
/ 05
Users should easily navigate, search, filter, and sort content to work quickly, intuitively, and efficiently.
/ 06
Create a content hierarchy: highlight key elements, hide unnecessary ones, group related items, and clearly mark interactive elements (e.g., avoid using blue only for sums, since blue is commonly seen as a link).
/ 07
Copy should clearly communicate purpose and actions, e.g., labels above columns or next to inputs/selects.
/ 08
Text smaller than 18px should have a minimum contrast of 4.5:1 with the background, per WCAG. Inactive elements don’t need this, but it should be clear what is inactive versus what has insufficient contrast.
/ 09
Some elements, like buttons in the 'Actions' column, are unclear. Users must know the system to understand them, increasing cognitive load. Actions should be clearly communicated with labels and icons.
/ 10
Based on the screenshot, the interface behavior is unclear. In the implemented solution, subtle animations (e.g., hover on a record) can guide users and indicate interactive elements.
/ 10
Based on the screenshot, the interface behavior is unclear. In the implemented solution, subtle animations (e.g., hover on a record) can guide users and indicate interactive elements.
/ 10
Based on the screenshot, the interface behavior is unclear. In the implemented solution, subtle animations (e.g., hover on a record) can guide users and indicate interactive elements.
✨
Benchmarking of leading PMS platforms
/ 06
I asked ChatGPT about the most recognized hotel management systems. Below are the criteria it used and the resulting ranking:
🔎 User reviews from software review platforms:
Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice – these platforms contain hundreds of reviews from users who actually use PMS systems.
🧠 Opinions from forums and industry groups (e.g., Reddit):
Particularly useful for PMS systems for small hotels (up to 50 rooms), where enterprise-level systems are too complex.
📊 Rankings and comparisons from industry companies:
e360hospitality.com – Top Hotel PMS 2025
Chekin – Top 10 PMS Systems
HotelTechReport.com – publishes annual PMS comparisons with functionality analysis.
Cloudbeds
⭐️ User Feedback: 4.4-4.6/5 (Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice)
✅ Perfectly balanced functionality and simplicity
✅ Great reviews from small business owners
✅ Easy-to-use interface, no technical skills needed
Mews
⭐️ User Feedback: 4.2-4.5/5
✅ Modern interface, though sometimes overly trendy
✅ Ideal solution for boutique hotels
✅ Easy-to-use interface, no technical skills needed
⭐️
Insights
Market solutions indicate that the platform should be tailored to the needs and scale of the facility.
Users value a simple, modern interface, and it is recommended to present data in a calendar format.
07 / 2025
Reservations screen redesign: simple, structured,
and user-friendly
Created as part of a recruitment task
👀 Problem
Created as part of a recruitment task, this case study examines the Reservations screen of a fictional hotel management platform. According to the brief, the screen lacked structure and hierarchy, making it hard for receptionists and property managers to quickly access key information. This led to inefficiency, overlooked details, and user frustration.
🎯 Solution
I redesigned the Reservations screen to make key information clear and easy to find (a simple, logic structure and intuitive layout), helping staff work faster and with less frustration.
⛔️ Limitation
I had only a few days to complete the project, working only from the brief.
💼 My tasks
✅ desk research
✅ analysis of the existing solution
✅ defining key tasks
✅ competitor analysis & benchmarking
✅ information architecture
✅ high-fidelity wireframes
✅ copywriting
3 / DESIGN
Designing interface
In this phase, I focused on designing the user interface with attention to clarity, usability, and consistency. The goal was to translate insights into a functional and visually appealing solution.
🎯
Defining main Tasks
/ 07
Based on the insights gathered, I mapped out the essential actions and functionalities for a smooth user experience in the Reservations view.
🎨
Designing high-fidelity mockups
/ 08
I started with quick paper sketches for low-fidelity mockups, but due to time constraints, I proceeded directly to UI design.
Since the task targeted only the table, I considered it necessary to redesign the entire system to maintain coherence.
✅
Results after redesign
->
Clearly defined time range for displayed data
->
Easy navigation through all the reservations thanks to a natural and intuitive calendar view
->
Instant access to the add-new-reservation option, as the most prominent element on the page + intuitive adding of new reservations directly from the calendar
->
Quick and efficient finding of information through searching and filtering
->
Easy viewing of reservation start and end dates
->
Single-click access to reservation details
->
Instant checking of room prices for any day
->
At-a-glance viewing of property occupancy
->
Instant spotting of reservations that need attention thanks to statuses
->
Intuitive management of reservations: viewing, editing, deleting
->
Clear and user-friendly interface
-> Clear and user-friendly interface
4 / ITERATE & DEVELOP
What if…
While working on this project, I stayed as close to the brief as possible. If I were implementing the project in real life, I would explore some new areas:
💡
Product evolution
1.
I think it would be valuable to conduct IDI interviews with receptionists or observe their work. This would help us understand their mental models, patterns and habits.
2.
Using tools like v0 (AI), I would create a simple prototype and ask target users to complete a few basic tasks, such as adding a new reservation, editing or finding specific information.
2.
During testing, we would evaluate:
the time users need to complete their goals
the number of clicks required to achieve a goal
errors made along the way
overall user satisfaction.
2.
We could also run similar tests on the pre-redesign version and compare the results.
2.
After analysing results, we could make improvements based on users feedback.
3.
Here, I worked on a single view, but if I were designing the entire platform, I would create a library of reusable components and define color and typography rules in a design system. I would also pay attention to copy to ensure clear and consistent communication for the brand.
1 / DISCOVER
Brief
This project was based on a recruitment task. The goal was to redesign the table component on the Reservations screen. The brief provided the following information:
Description
You are working on a hotel management platform designed for administrators of small and medium-sized lodging facilities (3–50 rooms or apartments).
Problem
The current reservations table causes user frustration – data is displayed in a chaotic way, with no clear visual hierarchy, and key information gets lost in details. Administrators spend on average 40% more time on basic operations compared to competing systems. The table requires a complete redesign to better reflect actual business needs.
Target users
The target users include receptionists and property owners who need to monitor the occupancy status of rooms.
Format
A Figma project presenting the desktop version of the table design (1440px).
Timeline
It is recommended to spend no more than 6–8 hours on this task.
The original table component before redesign.
2 / DISCOVER & DEFINE
Users & their needs
+ context of use
Here I explored the project context and mapped out user needs. This step helped me shape solutions tailored to real user expectations.
Handling multiple tasks at once (e.g., check-ins while answering calls)
Need for immediate and accurate information (e.g., room availability inquiries)
Managing large amounts of information, often in a foreign language
High responsibility and stress under tight time constraints
Constantly changing workload due to new bookings from different sources
Coordination with other receptionists
Limited experience, especially among younger staff
⭐️
Insights
Users need immediate access to key information, which requires a clear content hierarchy. To support quick access, the system should also provide search and filtering options.
The interface should remain as simple and transparent as possible, with information presented unambiguously to support work under stress and with large volumes of data.
🏨
Context of use
/ 02
The insights for this task are based on my observations of reception work and personal experience in the role (during university). Ideally, user needs would be validated through in-depth interviews or direct observation.
🔴
Too many clicks for simple actions, unnecessary buttons
🔴
High system complexity
🔴
Unattractive and outdated visual design
🔴
Non-intuitive layout, users must memorize the system
🔴
No quick search function (e.g., by phone number)
🔴
Difficulties editing reservations after saving and deleting
⛳️
Main pain points
/ 04
Insights were collected from comments under YouTube tutorials for hotel management systems. Where data was lacking, AI-generated information was used as hypotheses.
⭐️
Insights
The system should provide quick access to key information with minimal clicks, a clear content hierarchy, and fast search and filtering.
It should be intuitive and focused on daily tasks, while less-used features remain easily accessible. The system must be flexible, error-resistant, and visually appealing.
As a receptionist
I want to…
🛎️
Key tasks
/ 03
To discover user needs, I defined the main tasks of reservation managers. I used the User Stories technique.
->
interact with guests so that I can provide good service
->
manage reservations (create, edit, cancel) so that bookings are accurate and up-to-date
->
control billing and payments so that transactions are correct
->
monitor occupancy status so that I have a clear overview of room availability
->
check room availability for specific dates so that I can respond to inquiries quickly
->
communicate housekeeping tasks to responsible staff so that rooms are properly prepared
->
maintain proper documentation so that records are complete and organized
⭐️
Insights
The solution should provide efficient reservation management, allowing users to view, create, edit, and delete bookings.
It should display key information such as reservation and payment status, as well as room occupancy for each day.
💫 High-level motivation
/ 01
STAFF
Staff responsible for managing occupancy want both guests and their employer to be satisfied. They can achieve this goal through fast, reliable, and friendly reservation handling.
OWNER
Property owners want a calmer and more convenient life, so they aim to maximize their business revenue. This can be achieved by attracting a high number of guests - both new and returning after a positive stay. The better the receptionists’ work quality, the easier it is to provide a seamless guest experience.
Cloudbeds
⭐️ User Feedback: 4.4-4.6/5 (Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice)
✅ Perfectly balanced functionality and simplicity
✅ Great reviews from small business owners
✅ Easy-to-use interface, no technical skills needed
Mews
⭐️ User Feedback: 4.2-4.5/5
✅ Modern interface, though sometimes overly trendy
✅ Ideal solution for boutique hotels
✨
Benchmarking of leading PMS platforms
/ 06
I asked ChatGPT about the most recognized hotel management systems. Below are the criteria it used and the resulting ranking:
🔎 User reviews from software review platforms:
Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice – these platforms contain hundreds of reviews from users who actually use PMS systems.
🧠 Opinions from forums and industry groups (e.g., Reddit):
Particularly useful for PMS systems for small hotels (up to 50 rooms), where enterprise-level systems are too complex.
📊 Rankings and comparisons from industry companies:
e360hospitality.com – Top Hotel PMS 2025
Chekin – Top 10 PMS Systems
HotelTechReport.com – publishes annual PMS comparisons with functionality analysis.
⭐️
Insights
Market solutions indicate that the system should be tailored to the needs and scale of the facility.
Users value a simple, modern interface, and it is recommended to present data in a calendar format.
📝
Analysis of the Current Interface
/ 05
Based on the analysis of the table from the brief, I developed a set of recommendations.
⭐️
Insights
/ 01
The screen should focus on its primary goal. Currently, room-related data is displayed first. For this project, I focus on reservation management.
/ 02
If we assume the goal is reservation management, data that is not relevant should be moved or hidden.
/ 03
Reservation-related data - time, guest, and room - should be prioritized. A linear calendar view makes room occupancy easier to understand.
/ 04
The interface should follow the receptionist’s workflow, with visual hierarchy and logical order of columns and filters.
/ 05
Users should easily navigate, search, filter, and sort content to work quickly, intuitively, and efficiently.
/ 06
Create a content hierarchy: highlight key elements, hide unnecessary ones, group related items, and clearly mark interactive elements (e.g., avoid using blue only for sums, since blue is commonly seen as a link).
/ 07
Copy should clearly communicate purpose and actions, e.g., labels above columns or next to inputs/selects.
/ 08
Text smaller than 18px should have a minimum contrast of 4.5:1 with the background, per WCAG. Inactive elements don’t need this, but it should be clear what is inactive versus what has insufficient contrast.
/ 09
Some elements, like buttons in the 'Actions' column, are unclear. Users must know the system to understand them, increasing cognitive load. Actions should be clearly communicated with labels and icons.
/ 10
Based on the screenshot, the interface behavior is unclear. In the implemented solution, subtle animations (e.g., hover on a record) can guide users and indicate interactive elements.
3 / DESIGN
Designing interface
In this phase, I focused on designing the user interface with attention to clarity, usability, and consistency. The goal was to translate insights into a functional and visually appealing solution.
🎯
Defining main Tasks
/ 07
Based on the insights gathered, I mapped out the essential actions and functionalities for a smooth user experience in the Reservations view.
🎨
Designing high-fidelity mockups
/ 08
I started with quick paper sketches for low-fidelity mockups, but due to time constraints, I proceeded directly to UI design.
Since the task targeted only the table, I considered it necessary to redesign the entire system to maintain coherence.
✅
Results after redesign
->
Clearly defined time range for displayed data
->
Easy navigation through all the reservations thanks to a natural and intuitive calendar view
->
Instant access to the add-new-reservation option, as the most prominent element on the page + intuitive adding of new reservations directly from the calendar
->
Quick and efficient finding of information through searching and filtering
->
Easy viewing of reservation start and end dates
->
Instant checking of room prices for any day
->
Single-click access to reservation details
->
At-a-glance viewing of property occupancy
->
Instant spotting of reservations that need attention thanks to statuses
->
Intuitive management of reservations: viewing, editing, deleting
->
Clear and user-friendly interface
4 / ITERATE & DEVELOP
What if…
While working on this project, I stayed as close to the brief as possible. If I were implementing the project in real life, I would explore some new areas:
💡
Product evolution
1.
I think it would be valuable to conduct IDI interviews with receptionists or observe their work. This would help us understand their mental models, patterns, and habits.
3.
Here, I worked on a single view, but if I were designing the entire platform, I would create a library of reusable components and define color and typography rules in a design system. I would also pay attention to copy to ensure clear and consistent communication for the brand.
2.
Using tools like v0 (AI), I would create a simple prototype and ask target users to complete a few basic tasks, such as adding a new reservation, editing or finding specific information.
2.
During testing, we would evaluate:
the time users need to complete their goals
the number of clicks required to achieve a goal
errors made along the way
overall user satisfaction.
2.
We could also run similar tests on the pre-redesign version and compare the results.
2.
After analysing results, we could make improvements based on users feedback.