The UX of a Travel App
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Objective of this design was to create an app which would help users find local experiences at their choice of destination, simultaneously providing healthy and safety information.
My responsibilities:
Time: 4 weeks
User Research
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ABOUT?
The problem:
Trip booking and itinerary management prior to travel can be such a tedious task. Having to do tons of research, on top of that, using various platforms can become overwhelming and tiring. But most importantly, those who are looking to explore outside of the norm for local experiences face the most difficulties. Finding a reliable source with relevant and crucial health and safety information, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, becomes a mission. Therefore, understanding this, how could we help travellers find and decrease the time it takes to research for authentic local experiences, as well as, then manage their itinerary?
The objective:
The objective is to design an app which allows users to find authentic and safe local experiences adding to their itinerary, and ensuring effective management of their in-app itinerary?
This can be done...
Optimal features enhancing decision-making
Challenges or pain points of itinerary management
Changes in planning post-pandemic trips
HOW WAS THE RESEARCH DONE?
Methodology:
It was only feasible to ask the people themselves about what their opinions and frustrations about post-pandemic travel were. Therefore, using qualitative methodology, I planned and conducted five 1v1 interviews with potential users who enjoy travelling and have travelled since the COVID-19 pandemic.
I asked a series of 14 questions, followed by probing questions where necessary, in correspondence to the research objectives:
Trip planning process and challenges
Post-pandemic concerns whilst travelling
Analysing the data:
After collecting and transcribing the interviews, the data was analysed using an affinity diagram approach. Much like a thematic analysis conducted in psychological research, I translated each interview into codes which best conveyed the answers to my research objectives. Thereafter, amalgamating the data revealed sever themes…
Wants to avoid overspending
Wants to experience local life
COVID-19 and general safety are a priority
Needs to be well informed before traveling
Using multiple sources becomes overwhelming
Needs to have some sort of idea of what they'll be doing
Definition and Ideation
READING THE USER'S MIND...
User insight statement:
Jimmy Yong (the user) needs to find a simple interface which allows travellers to find out information about local experience because of his goal to make lasting memories with new people.
During the interviews, I discovered that the majority of the individuals did not only express their desire to experience the local culture and their frustrations with lack of safety information, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, but also most strongly disliked doing research but wanted some sort of itinerary plan.
Therefore, I believe that people need help in cutting down their time on doing tedious research and that I might be able to help if I develop an app which will provide all necessary information available when booking a trip and help with itinerary management.
This helps to pinpoint the problem users are facing when it comes to wanting to travelling like a local. That is, many travellers looking to travel for local experiences find it difficult to find valuable information about these experiences, and are poorly informed about the health and safety regulations are the location, especially concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic.
SO, WHAT FEATURES MUST WE INCLUDE?
Using the I Like, I Wish, What If methodology of existing and non-existing features in apps currently available, I took the non-traditional route and decided to highlight the most promising features. These features were those that best met the pain-points and needs discovered during the research. This included…
Availability of live navigation
Peak times shown to avoid crowds
View other people's itinerary
Be well informed about COVID-19 expectations
Pictures to know what to expect
Recommendations of local places
Information in bullet points
Interactive map which shows you places to visit
These features were then prioritiesed in feature prioritisation matrix.
APP BRANDING
Prototyping
WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
The final look?
