Research & Insights

I conducted user interviews with five participants who frequently traveled locally to understand how they planned trips and what challenges they faced. Most relied on Google or social media for inspiration but found these tools overwhelming and repetitive, often surfacing the same popular destinations. Many also wanted an easier way to group activities by proximity and mood, such as “relaxing” or “active” days.

These findings guided the app’s information architecture (IA). I structured the experience around three key user goals: discover, plan, and save. This informed my sitemap and user flows, ensuring users could move naturally between exploring, creating personalized itineraries, and organizing their favorites. By focusing on clarity and hierarchy, I designed an experience that felt both functional and inspiring.

Process & Approach

I focused on usability and flow, mapping how users move from initial curiosity to actionable planning.

• Built low-fidelity wireflows to test navigation clarity and reduce cognitive load.
• Developed a color-coded IA system (Exercise · Relax · Drinks) for quick visual recognition.
• Refined CTAs and layout to prioritize core actions like Add to Trip, Get Directions, and Save Favorite.
• Incorporated feedback from user testing, improving visual hierarchy and discoverability of key actions.

The final UI design blends a playful yet minimal style, using warm color palettes, rounded typography, and custom illustrations to create an inviting, approachable tone.

Outcome & Learnings

User testing confirmed that participants could navigate quickly and felt motivated to explore more local destinations. They described the experience as “simple but inspiring,” with clear navigation and visually intuitive cues.

This project was a turning point in my growth as a designer. It strengthened my skills in information architecture, user research, and usability testing, showing me how research insights directly inform navigation and flow. It also reinforced my belief that thoughtful UX design can make even small-scale experiences like a weekend trip feel intentional and rewarding.