Airbnb
Airbnb
Airbnb
founded
2007
headquarters
San Francisco, California
2007
the beginning
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2007
the beginning
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia noticed a problem - a conference was coming to town, but all of the local hotels were fully booked, leaving attendees without housing. So what did they do? They rented out air mattresses in their living room to conference go-ers, offering them a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. The seed for Airbnb was planted.
In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia noticed a problem - a conference was coming to town, but all of the local hotels were fully booked, leaving attendees without housing. So what did they do? They rented out air mattresses in their living room to conference go-ers, offering them a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. The seed for Airbnb was planted.
In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia noticed a problem - a conference was coming to town, but all of the local hotels were fully booked, leaving attendees without housing. So what did they do? They rented out air mattresses in their living room to conference go-ers, offering them a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. The seed for Airbnb was planted.
2008
do things that don't scale
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2008
do things that don't scale
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2008, Nathan Blecharczyk joined as the third cofounder. They officially launched airbedandbreakfast.com on August 11. In the early days, they did things that don't scale - like producing 500 custom cereal boxes branded as "Obama O's" and "Cap'n McCain's" during the 2008 U.S. presidential election. They raised $30,000.
In 2008, Nathan Blecharczyk joined as the third cofounder. They officially launched airbedandbreakfast.com on August 11. In the early days, they did things that don't scale - like producing 500 custom cereal boxes branded as "Obama O's" and "Cap'n McCain's" during the 2008 U.S. presidential election. They raised $30,000.
In the early days, they did things that don't scale - like producing 500 custom cereal boxes branded as "Obama O's" and "Cap'n McCain's" during the 2008 U.S. presidential election. They raised $30,000.
On the brink of being rejected by YC, they pulled out this story, impressing Paul Graham with their resilience. He reportedly said, "If you can convince people to pay $40 for a $4 box of cereal, maybe you can get strangers to stay in other strangers' homes".
On the brink of being rejected by YC, they pulled out this story, impressing Paul Graham with their resilience. He reportedly said, "If you can convince people to pay $40 for a $4 box of cereal, maybe you can get strangers to stay in other strangers' homes".
On the brink of being rejected by YC, they pulled out this story, impressing Paul Graham with their resilience. He reportedly said, "If you can convince people to pay $40 for a $4 box of cereal, maybe you can get strangers to stay in other strangers' homes".
2009
y combinator
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2009
y combinator
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Just two years after its inception, Airbnb reached product market fit. They had 10,000 users and 2,500 listings. They joined YC's Winter 2009 batch from January through March.
Just two years after its inception, Airbnb reached product market fit. They had 10,000 users and 2,500 listings. They joined YC's Winter 2009 batch from January through March.
Just two years after its inception, Airbnb reached product market fit. They had 10,000 users and 2,500 listings. They joined YC's Winter 2009 batch from January through March.
Just two years after its inception, Airbnb reached product market fit. They had 10,000 users and 2,500 listings. They joined YC's Winter 2009 batch from January through March.
early website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
early website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
The early website was a simple MVP, allowing people to post a room or, to use their tagline, "Find a place to stay."
The early website was a simple MVP, allowing people to post a room or, to use their tagline, "Find a place to stay."
The early website was a simple MVP, allowing people to post a room or, to use their tagline, "Find a place to stay."
The early website was a simple MVP, allowing people to post a room or, to use their tagline, "Find a place to stay."
2010
script logo
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2010
script logo
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2010, Airbnb opted for a more flamboyant brand, turning heads with this blue script logo that is reminiscent of y2k's glossy, 3D trends.
In 2010, Airbnb opted for a more flamboyant brand, turning heads with this blue script logo that is reminiscent of y2k's glossy, 3D trends.
In 2010, Airbnb opted for a more flamboyant brand, turning heads with this blue script logo that is reminiscent of y2k's glossy, 3D trends.
updated website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
updated website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In the summer of 2010, Brian and Joe realized the importance of beautiful photography, so they launched a program where hosts could schedule professional photographers. This significantly improved booking rates.
In the summer of 2010, Brian and Joe realized the importance of beautiful photography, so they launched a program where hosts could schedule professional photographers. This significantly improved booking rates.
In the summer of 2010, Brian and Joe realized the importance of beautiful photography, so they launched a program where hosts could schedule professional photographers. This significantly improved booking rates.
In the summer of 2010, Brian and Joe realized the importance of beautiful photography, so they launched a program where hosts could schedule professional photographers. This significantly improved booking rates.
mobile app
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
mobile app
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2010, coinciding with a $7.2 mil Series A raise, Airbnb launched their mobile app. The icon and interface embraced the skeumorphic trends of the time.
In 2010, coinciding with a $7.2 mil Series A raise, Airbnb launched their mobile app. The icon and interface embraced the skeumorphic trends of the time.
In 2010, coinciding with a $7.2 mil Series A raise, Airbnb launched their mobile app. The icon and interface embraced the skeumorphic trends of the time.
2011
1,000,000 bookings
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2011
1,000,000 bookings
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2011, Airbnb reached 1 million bookings, releasing this infographic that celebrated the milestones over the years, including the variety of unique homes hosted, schools represented, and more.
In 2011, Airbnb reached 1 million bookings, releasing this infographic that celebrated the milestones over the years, including the variety of unique homes hosted, schools represented, and more.
In 2011, Airbnb reached 1 million bookings, releasing this infographic that celebrated the milestones over the years, including the variety of unique homes hosted, schools represented, and more.
2014
designstudio rebrand
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2014
designstudio rebrand
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2014, DesignStudio redesigned Airbnb's entire brand. Airbnb had grown out of just "Find a place to stay" and into an internationally recognized company and community. They needed a brand that could communicate modernity, trustworthiness, and belonging.
In 2014, DesignStudio redesigned Airbnb's entire brand. Airbnb had grown out of just "Find a place to stay" and into an internationally recognized company and community. They needed a brand that could communicate modernity, trustworthiness, and belonging.
In 2014, DesignStudio redesigned Airbnb's entire brand. Airbnb had grown out of just "Find a place to stay" and into an internationally recognized company and community. They needed a brand that could communicate modernity, trustworthiness, and belonging.
Bélo logo + website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Bélo logo + website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
One of the most important artifacts from this redesign was the Bélo logo, which combined the abstract shapes of people, places, love, and the letter "A". The website in 2014 was also upgraded with more captivating imagery and a clear user flow.
One of the most important artifacts from this redesign was the Bélo logo, which combined the abstract shapes of people, places, love, and the letter "A". The website in 2014 was also upgraded with more captivating imagery and a clear user flow.
One of the most important artifacts from this redesign was the Bélo logo, which combined the abstract shapes of people, places, love, and the letter "A". The website in 2014 was also upgraded with more captivating imagery and a clear user flow.
One of the most important artifacts from this redesign was the Bélo logo, which combined the abstract shapes of people, places, love, and the letter "A". The website in 2014 was also upgraded with more captivating imagery and a clear user flow.
2024
modern website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2024
modern website
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
The current website and app is a culmination of Airbnb's thoughtful design decisions over the years, from beautiful photography to unique branding to features that celebrate community and travel.
The current website and app is a culmination of Airbnb's thoughtful design decisions over the years, from beautiful photography to unique branding to features that celebrate community and travel.
The current website and app is a culmination of Airbnb's thoughtful design decisions over the years, from beautiful photography to unique branding to features that celebrate community and travel.
thank you for reading
handcrafted by jade franson