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EMPATHIZE
Travelers struggle with complex planning and safety concerns. To understand these challenges, in-depth interviews and a survey were conducted to analyze user behavior, technology use, and information needs. Mapping the information revealed clear patterns that uncovered essential insights, allowing me to dive deeper into the user's intricate needs.
Goals
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Identify user booking habits and planning processes.
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Determine preferred booking tools and platforms.
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Discover user motivations and pain points.
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Develop solutions to enhance the travel experience.
User Persona, User Journey Map
Based on insights from both primary and secondary research, a user persona was created to guide the design process and ensure a user-centered solution. Common patterns in travel needs and priorities were identified through user interviews, which, along with an empathy map, helped synthesize findings and shape the persona and journey map.
From Sketches to Wireframes: Streamlining the User Flow
The design process began with hand-drawn sketches to capture essential elements, which were then translated into digital wireframes, defining necessary screens and user interactions. These initial sketches were refined into low-fidelity wireframes, laying the groundwork for the final prototype. After identifying primary issues, strategies were developed to implement solutions with a focus on how users would interact with new features. Task and user flows were created to align with user goals, ensuring a seamless experience by identifying common user scenarios, potential paths, and decision points, ultimately optimizing the overall user experience.
DEFINE
Style Guide
The design style embraces a vibrant and playful aesthetic, defined by a bold color palette and clean typography. The primary colors—Aqua Pop, Pink Punch, Lemon Burst, Midnight, and Snow Pop—create a dynamic visual experience that captures attention and enhances user engagement.
For typography, PT Sans is used for body copy, and Open Sans is selected for headers, providing a crisp and clear contrast that highlights important content and maintains readability across different devices and screen sizes.
Competitor Analysis
This competitive analysis explores how key travel apps address user needs, focusing on seamless itinerary management, real-time collaboration, and personalized suggestions, all within user-friendly, minimalistic designs. This research aims to identify design elements and features that enhance the overall travel planning experience.
Story Map
Based on comprehensive research and user feedback, a story map was developed for The Sunny Place app to guide the design process. By analyzing user needs and travel preferences through interviews and data, key user behaviors and pain points were identified, which informed the creation of the story map to ensure a user-centered travel experience.
Vacation Desire
A busy professional, Gia yearns for a well-deserved vacation but is often deterred by the complexities of travel planning.
Planning Challenge
The time-consuming process of researching destinations and booking accommodations can be overwhelming.
Seeking Help
Seeking a more streamlined approach, Gia turns to friends for advice.
App Solution
A travel app is recommended as a potential solution to her planning woes.
The Adventure
Equipped with the app's guidance, Gia confidently embarks on her adventure.
Happy Camper
Enjoying a relaxed vacation, Gia attributes her stress-free experience to the app's helpful features.
IDEATE
User Testing
The app is designed to address specific user problems. The primary objective of this test is to determine whether the app effectively helps users overcome these challenges. Based on user feedback, we will make necessary changes to enhance the app's effectiveness.
Another key objective is to assess the app's simplicity. Throughout the user's exploration, we aim to identify any hurdles they encounter, what slows them down, and what they perceive as the app's strengths and weaknesses. We want to understand which complications they would prefer to remove and which features they would like to keep.
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Lesson Learned - The power of Feedback
Designing The Sunny Place was a comprehensive journey—from research to high-fidelity prototypes. While I initially focused on perfecting each stage alone, user feedback taught me the value of quick, iterative testing. Early sketching, even when challenging, uncovered critical insights that shaped the design. Prototyping in tools like InVision and Adobe XD refined my ability to create cohesive, user-friendly experiences. This project underscored the importance of a user-centered approach and continuous feedback, transforming my process into one that's more iterative and user-focused.
PROTOTYPE
Research
Most users found research to be the most time-consuming part of travel planning, with the effort required to find the right information.
Customization
For most users, customization was not just a comfort but a critical factor in choosing an app, playing a vital role in their decision-making.
Technology
Users preferred simple, easy-to-use apps, with those offering convenient features like live reviews and chat support standing out as favorites
Safety Concerns
Safety was a top concern across users, with apps providing clear precautionary information being highly preferred.
I need a one-stop shop that gives me everything I need to know about staying safe on my trips.
Daniel
Provide detailed information on safe places to visit, issue alerts for areas to avoid, and offer vaccination advice.
Victoria
Apps should be simple and efficient. Complexity doesn't equal quality; I just need something that works.
Valerie
By analyzing user research, we identified key challenges and developed a user-centered problem statement. This led to the creation of a "How Might We" question to guide solution ideation.
Inference
Users commonly face challenges related to complex technology, limited options, and a lack of support when planning trips.
HMV
How might we create a travel planning tool that simplifies the process, prioritizes safety, and offers personalized recommendations?
POV
As a busy professional, I struggle to find a simple way to plan my trips. I need personalized options, reliable information, and peace of mind.
TEST
High Fidelity Designs
This is the space to introduce the Project section. Take this opportunity to give visitors a brief overview of the types of projects they'll find featured in the showcase below. Consider adding an image or video to spark their interest.
Welcome page
After logging in, returning users are directed to the welcome page, where they can access their existing trip or create a new one.
Choosing Flights
Selecting flights and hotels from this page adds them directly to the cart. Choosing activities takes users to a detailed page with more information about each option.
Login & Signup
Users can sign up via Email, Facebook, Google, or Apple. A "Skip Signup" option allows for exploring the app without registering. For returning users, a quick login is available using the same options.
Activity Selection
Choosing the right holiday theme is crucial for travelers. The activities page offers options like adventure, clubs, relaxation, and sightseeing. Clicking on any activity provides detailed information, ensuring users are well-informed. Once an activity is selected, it can be added to the cart for booking.
Itinerary
After selecting and adding flights, hotels, and activities to the cart, they appear on the itinerary. From here, users can either review their cart or return to edit their selections if needed.
Customization and Filtration
The filtration feature allows users to customize their preferences, such as stay type, activities, food hangouts, and reviews. New users start here, while existing users can begin new trips. This page leads to accepting terms and COVID-related information.
THE STORY
The Sunny Place is a travel app crafted for post-pandemic adventures, helping users find their ideal vacation spot. With live reviews from fellow travelers and expert support at each destination, it ensures a safe, enjoyable, and memorable travel experience. Rediscover the joy of exploration with The Sunny Place.
Problems
Busy travelers face challenges in planning trips due to time constraints, complex research, safety concerns, and a lack of personalized guidance.
Challenges
Create a user-friendly app that addresses these pain points by providing efficient trip planning tools, safety information, and expert assistance.
Tools Used
Industry
Travel
Empathize
User research
Define
User Persona
Empathy Map
Competitive Analysis
Ideate
Story Mapping
User Journey Mapping
User Flow
Prototype
Low Fidelity
Wireframes
High Fidelity
© 2024 by Divya Chakravarthy. Created on Wix Studio.