Uplifting Smart Travel: Streamlining
and Elevating The Planning Experience.
Uplifting Smart Travel: Streamlining
and Elevating The Planning Experience.
Personal Project
Personal Project
Background
Background
Having a travel companion in your pocket-
your all-in-one solution.
Having a travel companion in your
pocket- your all-in-one solution.
Columbus, a simple and smart trip planner app, seamlessly integrates accommodation, transportation, dining, and attractions into a personalized itinerary. By setting a budget, Columbus crafts an unforgettable trip, adapting to real-time changes, acting as a trusty guide, offering alternatives, and ensuring a smooth, enjoyable journey.
As part of the team, my responsibilities spanned from ideation to the final product. My role involved market research, user research analysis, defining user flows and product strategy, and shaping the user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI).
Columbus, a simple and smart trip planner app, seamlessly integrates accommodation, transportation, dining, and attractions into a personalized itinerary. By setting a budget, Columbus crafts an unforgettable trip, adapting to real-time changes, acting as a trusty guide, offering alternatives, and ensuring a smooth, enjoyable journey.
As part of the team, my responsibilities spanned from ideation to the final product. My role involved market research, user research analysis, defining user flows and product strategy, and shaping the user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI).
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
Working in a group makes all the change
Working in a group makes all
the change
Collaborating closely with fellow student designers- Eden Wisman, Sholem Faigen, and Ishai Ifargan- we established a unique workflow, leveraging our individual expertise to drive the project forward.
Collaborating closely with fellow student designers- Eden Wisman, Sholem Faigen, and Ishai Ifargan- we established a unique workflow, leveraging our individual expertise to drive the project forward.
Market research
Market research
Lots of information, lots of knowledge.
Lots of information, lots of
knowledge.
To tackle the challenge of creating an app that helps travelers plan their trips more efficiently and cost-effectively, I initiated a comprehensive market research. Examining key players and parallel markets such as travel and planning apps, budget planners, and bot-based apps, I gained valuable insights.
Such as Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Wonderlog, Google Maps and many others.
To tackle the challenge of creating an app that helps travelers plan their trips more efficiently and cost-effectively, I initiated a comprehensive market research. Examining key players and parallel markets such as travel and planning apps, budget planners, and bot-based apps, I gained valuable insights.
Such as Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Wonderlog, Google Maps and many others.
Here is what I learned from the competitor analysis:
Here is what I learned from the competitor analysis:
Apps allow users to arrange trip locations and attractions into a designated file.
Presents social proof to sites and business.
Encourage users to invite partners.
Organize a trip itinerary.
Provide tips and offer alternatives.
Apps allow users to arrange trip locations and attractions into a designated file.
Presents social proof to sites and business.
Encourage users to invite partners.
Organize a trip itinerary.
Provide tips and offer alternatives.
Focused on one aspect of the trip.
Booking outside of the app.
No integrations between different data.
No real value to AI features.
The research led to several crucial conclusions:
The app should offer a comprehensive planning experience, serving as a one-stop-shop.
Integration of an AI trip planner based on user preferences, financial limits, interests, habits, and travel dreams would enhance user trust and satisfaction.
The app should act as a dynamic travel agent, adapting to users' needs.
The app should offer a comprehensive planning experience, serving as a
one-stop-shop.
Integration of an AI trip planner based on user preferences, financial limits, interests, habits, and travel dreams would enhance user trust and satisfaction.
The app should act as a dynamic travel agent, adapting to users' needs.
User analysis
User analysis
Unmasking User Needs
Unmasking User Needs
To delve deeper into practical workflow and user problems, we conducted a survey answered by 50 individuals.
To delve deeper into practical workflow and user problems, we conducted a survey answered by 50 individuals.
The findings highlighted three central issues:
The findings highlighted three central issues:
Difficulty in forming a realistic budget, leading to overspending.
Challenges in organizing information and scheduling the trip.
Missing special attractions due to organizational difficulties.
Difficulty in forming a realistic budget, leading to overspending.
Challenges in organizing information and scheduling the trip.
Missing special attractions due to organizational difficulties.
Moreover, we identified our user persona as young, budget-conscious individuals eagerly awaiting their annual trips.
Moreover, we identified our user persona as young, budget-conscious individuals eagerly awaiting their annual trips.
John Williams
21 / Male
Socioeconomic status
Middle-class
Marital status
Single
Occupation
Student
Location
NYC, New York
Prioritizing destination safety, John favors urban locations in his annual travels. As an independent planner, he relies on guides, bloggers, and travel apps, managing his budget and leveraging technology.
Travel Habits
0-1
Flights a year
Challenges in
financial planning
Challenges in trip
organizing
Pain Points
Struggles with budget-friendly accommodations.
Difficulty consolidating information for a transparent budget.
Faces challenges with currency rate fluctuations and unexpected changes.
Jessica Thompson
32 / Female
Socioeconomic status
Upper-middle-class
Marital status
Married +1
Occupation
Dental hygienist
Location
Sidney, Australia
An annual traveler, seeks sun and easy trekking with her family. Despite financial constraints, she extends credit limits for expenses, relying on online research, tour guides, blogs, and social networks for planning.
Travel Habits
0-1
Flights a year
Challenges in
financial planning
Challenges in
trip organizing
Pain Points
High travel expenses pose a significant hurdle.
Language barriers and cultural differences lead to unexpected purchases.
Lucan Smith
36 / Male
Socioeconomic status
Lower-middle-class
Marital status
Single
Occupation
Waiter
Location
London, Uk
Traveling two to three times a year, explores tourism, sports, and landscape photography in less-traveled destinations. Meticulously organized, he efficiently researches accommodations and activities through online forums and blogs, using technology for precise planning.
Travel Habits
2-3
Flights a year
Challenges in
financial planning
Challenges in trip
organizing
Pain Points
Difficulty finding reliable information for cost-effective travel.
Navigating unfamiliar transportation systems and finding multiple route options.
Desires a well-structured and adventurous travel experience for a sense of control.
Design process
Design process
From Concept to Connection: User Flows and Design Iterations
From Concept to Connection:
User Flows and Design Iterations
Armed with insights, I crafted user flows to simplify the app's functionality.
Armed with insights, I crafted user flows to simplify the app's functionality.
Planning flow This is an early-use flow where the user has the opportunity to use the AI bot or skip it and fill a planning questionnaire.
Attraction flow Here the user can explore suggested attractions, read about them, view social proof, and decide to proceed into table booking or ticket purchasing.
Budget flow This is a late-use flow but critical, allowing the user to add expenses and track their budget overview.
Planning flow This is an early-use flow where the user has the opportunity to use the AI bot or skip it and fill a planning questionnaire.
Attraction flow Here the user can explore suggested attractions, read about them, view social proof, and decide to proceed into table booking or ticket purchasing.
Budget flow This is a late-use flow but critical, allowing the user to add expenses and track their budget overview.
Log in / Sign up
Onboarding
Home screen
Planning
Event details
Overview
Map
Attraction
Reservation
Conformation
Budget
Payment method
Add expense
Wallet & Balance
AI Chatbot
Log in / Sign up
Onboarding
Home screen
Planning
Event details
Overview
Map
Attraction
Reservation
Conformation
Budget
Payment method
Add expense
Wallet & Balance
AI Chatbot
Low fidelity sketches
Low fidelity sketches
Solution
Solution
Building Foundations
Building Foundations
Budget
Budget
The user analysis unveiled a significant need for a budget management tool to assist users in planning, tracking, and managing their budget throughout the trip, addressing the inherent stress associated with handling finances. This prompted specific market research to identify existing content and features in budget management products.
During the exploration, I compiled a list of user-friendly features, drawing insights from competitor value propositions and aligning them with the user needs gathered from our questionnaire responses. Subsequently, our team collaborated to refine the feature list, emphasizing essential elements and streamlining the overall design.
The user analysis unveiled a significant need for a budget management tool to assist users in planning, tracking, and managing their budget throughout the trip, addressing the inherent stress associated with handling finances. This prompted specific market research to identify existing content and features in budget management products.
During the exploration, I compiled a list of user-friendly features, drawing insights from competitor value propositions and aligning them with the user needs gathered from our questionnaire responses. Subsequently, our team collaborated to refine the feature list, emphasizing essential elements and streamlining the overall design.
Currency exchange.
Prediction of remained budget.
Percentage of used budget.
Expenses breakdown to categories.
Detailed expense breakdown.
Daily expenses list.
Statistics of payment method.
Statistics of expenses categories.
Distribution of expenses between trip partners.
Projection of budget use according to current expenses.
Currency exchange.
Prediction of remained budget.
Percentage of used budget.
Expenses breakdown to categories.
Detailed expense breakdown.
Daily expenses list.
Statistics of payment method.
Statistics of expenses categories.
Distribution of expenses between trip partners.
Projection of budget use according to current expenses.
Currency exchange.
Expenses breakdown to categories.
Statistics of payment method.
Statistics of expenses categories.
Distribution of expenses between
trip partners.
This iterative process involved several refinements, incorporating feedback from user testing sessions.
This iterative process involved several refinements, incorporating feedback from user testing sessions.
Iterations
Why I choose this version
The final design comprises three distinct sections, each tailored to address different user needs while presenting identical information. Leveraging insights from market research, the use of tables and charts was integrated to alleviate user stress through familiar media.
The final design comprises three distinct sections, each tailored to address different user needs while presenting identical information. Leveraging insights from market research, the use of tables and charts was integrated to alleviate user stress through familiar media.
Overview
Overview
One of the assumptions we aimed to test through our questionnaire was the organizational behavior of individuals concerning pre-trip information and tasks. Insights from the questionnaire affirmed that while users aspire to be organized, they often find themselves overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks preceding a trip.
This observation was further substantiated during market research, where competitors were seen attempting to aid users in organizing information through various approaches.
One of the assumptions we aimed to test through our questionnaire was the organizational behavior of individuals concerning pre-trip information and tasks. Insights from the questionnaire affirmed that while users aspire to be organized, they often find themselves overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks preceding a trip.
This observation was further substantiated during market research, where competitors were seen attempting to aid users in organizing information through various approaches.
A list of valuable features was made-
A list of valuable features was made-
Documents and Attachments: "File" for quick access.
Checklist for pre-trip packaging items and daily packaging items.
Status of tasks.
Share with fellow travelers.
Documents and Attachments: "File" for
quick access.
Checklist for pre-trip packaging items and daily packaging items.
Status of tasks.
Share with fellow travelers.
This understanding led to the development of the overview screen, intended as a centralized space for users to compile documents and information gathered before and during the trip.
The screen's hierarchy was structured based on the importance of the presented information and its frequency of use. To enhance user organization and optimize app features, a progress bar indicating the user's "readiness" pre-trip was incorporated.
This understanding led to the development of the overview screen, intended as a centralized space for users to compile documents and information gathered before and during the trip.
The screen's hierarchy was structured based on the importance of the presented information and its frequency of use. To enhance user organization and optimize app features, a progress bar indicating the user's "readiness" pre-trip was incorporated.
Visual design
Visual design
Design for a Secure and Personalized Travel Experience
Design for a Secure and Personalized
Travel Experience
Colors
Colors
The choice of colors played a crucial role in creating an engaging user experience. Green, selected for its associations with safety and comfort, was used to instill a sense of security and happiness.
The choice of colors played a crucial role in creating an engaging user experience. Green, selected for its associations with safety and comfort, was used to instill a sense of security and happiness.
Typography
Illustrations
Illustrations
Prototype
Try it yourself
Try it yourself
Takeaways
Takeaways
Reflecting on the Process and Envisioning Future Steps
Reflecting on the Process and Envisioning Future Steps
This project provided a platform for honing leadership skills while collaborating within a group dynamic. It expanded my expertise, allowing me to explore new areas and consistently elevate design quality through feedback and presentations.
Engaging in open conversations and learning from mentors enriched my understanding of design principles.
In conclusion, the Columbus project exemplifies a successful fusion of individual expertise within a collaborative framework, resulting in an intuitive and functional trip planning app that aligns seamlessly with user expectations.
This project provided a platform for honing leadership skills while collaborating within a group dynamic. It expanded my expertise, allowing me to explore new areas and consistently elevate design quality through feedback and presentations.
Engaging in open conversations and learning from mentors enriched my understanding of design principles.
In conclusion, the Columbus project exemplifies a successful fusion of individual expertise within a collaborative framework, resulting in an intuitive and functional trip planning app that aligns seamlessly with user expectations.
Let's Embark on a
New Adventure Together
Let's Embark on a
New Adventure Together