Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper is a secure visitor management system designed to streamline entry processes for gated communities and workplaces in Lagos, Nigeria. It provides an elegant and intuitive check-in experience, enabling users to know exactly who’s visiting, when, and why—along with instant document verification. Gatekeeper automates visitor arrivals, tracks employee sign-ins, and offers a plug-and-play solution that can be easily configured to meet compliance and safety requirements.
Product Design
User Experience
Prototyping
Gotham Security
July - Sept 2024
Lagos is home to numerous gated communities, which have become essential for residents prioritizing security and controlled access. However, visitor management in these communities remains inefficient, relying on manual processes such as paper registers—methods that are often slow, intrusive, and prone to human error.
Design a visitor management system that automates visitor processes, protects residents’ privacy, and provides a seamless experience for all users.
To understand the landscape, I conducted interviews with residents, community administrators, and security personnel. Key insights included:
Residents wanted more autonomy in managing visitors without relying on security guards.
Long wait times at entry points were a common frustration.
Larger communities needed a system capable of managing different visitor types, such as friends, vendors, and domestic staff.
The user flow was designed to ensure seamless interaction across devices. The goal was to create a cohesive experience for both residents and security personnel, regardless of their device preference.
The design process began with brainstorming sessions and early concept sketches. The key objectives were:
- Balancing simplicity and functionality to ensure ease of use.
- Prioritizing core user actions such as visitor code generation and community engagement.
To manage the app’s complexity, the design scope was divided into three primary action goals:
- Facilitating user sign-in.
- Generate different types of visitor codes.
- Track user activity.
Users can sign in by selecting their context—community or workplace. This personalization enhances flexibility and ensures relevance to their specific needs.
Once signed in, residents receive an admin-provided access code to join their community. Within the app, residents can engage in discussions, report security issues, and collaborate with neighbors, fostering a connected environment.
Residents can generate entrance codes for visitors—both announced and unannounced—with just a few taps. Codes are customizable (e.g., single-use or scheduled invites) and can be shared via social platforms.
For events or multiple guests with expiration settings, reducing the constant need for code requests.
Supporting households with domestic staff by assigning reusable codes.
Residents can manage multiple groups (e.g., workplace and community) within a single account. Seamless group-switching functionality ensures a frictionless experience, similar to switching profiles in social media apps.
The tablet interface aligns with the mobile app, enhancing functionality for administrators and security personnel while maintaining design consistency. Key priorities include:
- Visitor sign-ins.
- Admin activity management.
Visitors with pre-generated codes can input them directly for instant verification, bypassing manual sign-ins. This reduces wait times at entry points.
The admin dashboard was designed to simplify monitoring visitor activities for large communities and workplaces. Key features include visitor logs, analytics, and real-time alerts for improved oversight.
Looking back, I realized the importance of adaptability and iteration in the design process. Every challenge was an opportunity to improve and deliver a product that truly meets user needs.
