Airbnb

Unified
Each piece is part of a greater whole and should contribute positively to the system at scale. There should be no isolated features or outliers.

Universal
Airbnb is used around the world by a wide global community. Our products and visual language should be welcoming and accessible.

Iconic
We’re focused when it comes to both design and functionality. Our work should speak boldly and clearly to this focus.

Conversational
Our use of motion breathes life into our products, and allows us to communicate with users in easily understood ways.

Design as the “mutual friend”
Helping minimize uncertainties and setting expectations online, in the product, is an enabler for a meaningful experience offline, in the real world. We build products to let users get to know each other; we also learn what you’re looking for, and with that knowledge, we open the door to new experiences. We set the stage, help make the introduction, then get out of the way. And like a good friend, we’re there for you when you need us.

Design for first impressions
Although Airbnb requires some information from our users to book, we don’t require disclosure. That is, we ask guests to tell us who they are, but it’s up to them to tell us about themselves.

Trust takes effort
As with most things in life, you get out of Airbnb what you put into it. Trust on Airbnb is shared; it goes both ways. We’ve found the more effort a guest can signal to a host, the more trust a host is willing to give that guest.