Travelpal
Connecting solo travelers through shared adventures.
Client
Client
Client
Personal Project
Personal Project
Personal Project
Platform
Platform
Platform
Mobile App
Mobile App
Mobile App
Role
Role
Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
UX Designer
UX Designer
UX Designer
What is Travelpal?
Travelpal is a social platform created to connect solo travelers based on shared destinations and interests.
I led the end-to-end design, from discovery to high-fidelity prototypes, helping create an experience that made 60% of test users feel more confident traveling alone.
Travelpal is a social platform created to connect solo travelers based on shared destinations and interests.
I led the end-to-end design, from discovery to high-fidelity prototypes, helping create an experience that made 60% of test users feel more confident traveling alone.
Problem Framing
60% of surveyed solo travelers said they'd love to meet others but don’t know how to do it safely.
"How can we provide ways for solo travelers to forgo their fears, meet/connect with other people, and enjoy their trips?.
60% of surveyed solo travelers said they'd love to meet others but don’t know how to do it safely.
"How can we provide ways for solo travelers to forgo their fears, meet/connect with other people, and enjoy their trips?.
Design Process
I followed the design thinking process, which is non-linear; therefore, a lot of iterations were done throughout the duration of this project.
I followed the design thinking process, which is non-linear; therefore, a lot of iterations were done throughout the duration of this project.
01
01
01
Discover
Discover
Discover
User Research
User Research
User Research
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
02
02
02
Define
Define
Define
User Persona
User Persona
User Persona
Empathy Mapping
Empathy Mapping
Empathy Mapping
03
03
03
Ideate
Ideate
Ideate
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
04
04
04
Design
Design
Design
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Low Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Wireframes
05
05
05
Test
Test
Test
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Test Insight
Test Insight
Test Insight
User Research
To better understand the needs and challenges of solo travelers, I conducted quantitative research using a survey method.
I created a 10-question survey designed to capture users' travel behaviors, pain points, and preferences when it comes to meeting others while traveling alone.
To better understand the needs and challenges of solo travelers, I conducted quantitative research using a survey method.
I created a 10-question survey designed to capture users' travel behaviors, pain points, and preferences when it comes to meeting others while traveling alone.
What do you do for a living?
What do you do for a living?
What do you do for a living?
How often do you travel?
How often do you travel?
How often do you travel?
What motivates you to travel?
What motivates you to travel?
What motivates you to travel?
Have you ever been on a solo trip?
Have you ever been on a solo trip?
Have you ever been on a solo trip?
How did you feel going on a solo trip?
How did you feel going on a solo trip?
How did you feel going on a solo trip?
Did you meet/connect with other people during your trip? If yes, How?
Did you meet/connect with other people during your trip? If yes, How?
Did you meet/connect with other people during your trip? If yes, How?
Do you prefer to meet/connect with people online or physically?
Do you prefer to meet/connect with people online or physically?
Do you prefer to meet/connect with people online or physically?
What do you think about an app that can connect you to other people within the vicinity while on your solo trip?
What do you think about an app that can connect you to other people within the vicinity while on your solo trip?
What do you think about an app that can connect you to other people within the vicinity while on your solo trip?
Are there any special features you would like to see on such an app?
Are there any special features you would like to see on such an app?
Are there any special features you would like to see on such an app?
10 Questions
10 Questions
10 Questions
Key Insights
Below are the most important insights that was uncovered during user research. These findings shaped the core features and experience of Travelpal.
Below are the most important insights that was uncovered during user research. These findings shaped the core features and experience of Travelpal.
01
01
Solo travelers worry about their safety, especially when meeting new people. This fear remains a major barrier to social interaction on the road.
Solo travelers worry about their safety, especially when meeting new people. This fear remains a major barrier to social interaction on the road.
Solo travelers worry about their safety, especially when meeting new people. This fear remains a major barrier to social interaction on the road.
02
02
Many struggle to locate or connect with other travelers due to the absence of dedicated spaces or platforms that facilitate those interactions.
Many struggle to locate or connect with other travelers due to the absence of dedicated spaces or platforms that facilitate those interactions.
02
Many struggle to locate or connect with other travelers due to the absence of dedicated spaces or platforms that facilitate those interactions.
03
03
Even when travelers are open to meeting others, aligning on interests, values, or personalities is a challenge.
Even when travelers are open to meeting others, aligning on interests, values, or personalities is a challenge.
Even when travelers are open to meeting others, aligning on interests, values, or personalities is a challenge.
04
04
There’s strong interest in a platform that supports safe, comfortable social interactions, ideally with built-in security features and user verification.
There’s strong interest in a platform that supports safe, comfortable social interactions, ideally with built-in security features and user verification.
04
There’s strong interest in a platform that supports safe, comfortable social interactions, ideally with built-in security features and user verification.
05
05
Participants suggested adding travel guides, destination tips, and safety advice to support and enrich the solo travel experience.
Participants suggested adding travel guides, destination tips, and safety advice to support and enrich the solo travel experience.
05
Participants suggested adding travel guides, destination tips, and safety advice to support and enrich the solo travel experience.
Affinity Mapping
From the data gathered from the user research, I created an affinity diagram by organizing and grouping the ideas from the research into categories based on similarities.
From the data gathered from the user research, I created an affinity diagram by organizing and grouping the ideas from the research into categories based on similarities.
User Personas
Two (2) fictional characters were created based on the data already gathered and organized to represent the different types of ideal users for Travelpal.
Two (2) fictional characters were created based on the data already gathered and organized to represent the different types of ideal users for Travelpal.
Name:
Name:
Ray
Ray
Age:
Age:
34
34
Occupation:
Occupation:
Banker
Banker
Background
Background
Ray is a banker who travels regularly for work and travels alone most times. He focuses on work when he travels and doesn’t go out to meet people while on his trips because of time constraints and security reasons.
Ray is a banker who travels regularly for work and travels alone most times. He focuses on work when he travels and doesn’t go out to meet people while on his trips because of time constraints and security reasons.
Painpoints
Painpoints
Security Consciousness
Security Consciousness
How to interact with people that don’t speak the same language as him.
How to interact with people that don’t speak the same language as him.
Goals
Goals
I would love to meet people if it’s safe
I would love to meet people if it’s safe
I want to meet people with mutual interest
I want to meet people with mutual interest
Name:
Name:
Selena
Selena
Age:
Age:
27
27
Occupation:
Occupation:
Artist
Artist
Background
Background
Selena is an artist who loves traveling solo and exploring new places with different cultures. She mostly travels for fun, to meet and connect with new people, and to get inspiration for her work as an artist.
Selena is an artist who loves traveling solo and exploring new places with different cultures. She mostly travels for fun, to meet and connect with new people, and to get inspiration for her work as an artist.
Painpoints
Painpoints
Where and how to access people with mutual interest.
Where and how to access people with mutual interest.
How to ensure safety when meeting new people.
How to ensure safety when meeting new people.
Goals
Goals
Interact with other travelers and share experiences.
Interact with other travelers and share experiences.
I want to meet other travelers close to me
I want to meet other travelers close to me
Brainstorming Ideas
I explored multiple solutions centered around users' core struggles—safety, connection, and ease of use. Ideas that would make solo travel safer, more enjoyable, and socially engaging were prioritized. After evaluating feasibility and impact, I selected the most effective concepts to bring into the design phase.
I explored multiple solutions centered around users' core struggles—safety, connection, and ease of use. Ideas that would make solo travel safer, more enjoyable, and socially engaging were prioritized. After evaluating feasibility and impact, I selected the most effective concepts to bring into the design phase.
Information Architecture
I planned out how the app's content and features should be arranged so that users can easily find what they need. This included deciding on the main sections, how different pages connect, and making sure the app is simple to navigate.
The goal was to create a smooth experience where solo travelers can quickly explore, use important features, and connect with others without any confusion.
I planned out how the app's content and features should be arranged so that users can easily find what they need. This included deciding on the main sections, how different pages connect, and making sure the app is simple to navigate.
The goal was to create a smooth experience where solo travelers can quickly explore, use important features, and connect with others without any confusion.
Wireframe Sketches
I used a simple sketching method called Crazy 8’s to quickly draw out different layout ideas. This method involves folding a piece of paper into eight sections and sketching a new idea in each section within a short time.
The goal was to think fast and explore different ways the homepage could look without getting stuck on one idea.
I used a simple sketching method called Crazy 8’s to quickly draw out different layout ideas. This method involves folding a piece of paper into eight sections and sketching a new idea in each section within a short time.
The goal was to think fast and explore different ways the homepage could look without getting stuck on one idea.
Selected
Selected
Selected
Mid-fidelity Wireframes
I converted the paper sketches to a medium-fidelity prototype and organized them into a flow (i.e., an entire user journey through this app).
I converted the paper sketches to a medium-fidelity prototype and organized them into a flow (i.e., an entire user journey through this app).
Typography - Inter
Typography - Inter
Typography - Inter
Heading 1
Heading 1
Heading 1
Font size: 40, Line height: 140%
Font size: 40, Line height: 140%
Font size: 40, Line height: 140%
Heading 2
Heading 2
Font size: 24, Line height: 140%
Font size: 24, Line height: 140%
Body Big
Body Big
Font size: 18, Line height: 140%
Font size: 18, Line height: 140%
Body Medium
Body Medium
Font size: 16, Line height: 140%
Font size: 16, Line height: 140%
Body Small
Body Small
Font size: 14, Line height: 140%
Font size: 14, Line height: 140%
Caption
Caption
Font size: 12, Line height: 140%
Font size: 12, Line height: 140%
Colors
Colors
Colors
Primary color
Primary color
Primary color
Secondary color
Secondary color
Secondary color
Dark - Grey color
Dark - Grey color
Dark - Grey color
Final UI Design
Onboarding Screens
First impressions matter!
TravelPal’s onboarding experience are designed to quickly build trust, highlight the app’s core value, and guide users into meaningful connections.
First impressions matter!
TravelPal’s onboarding experience are designed to quickly build trust, highlight the app’s core value, and guide users into meaningful connections.
Final UI Design
Sign up & Login Screens
The sign-up and login screens are designed to make getting started with TravelPal effortless. With a clean, intuitive layout, users can quickly create an account or log in with ease.
The sign-up and login screens are designed to make getting started with TravelPal effortless. With a clean, intuitive layout, users can quickly create an account or log in with ease.
Final UI Design
Verification Screens
To prioritize safety and build user confidence, we introduced a seamless verification flow that confirms each user’s identity before granting full access to the app.
To prioritize safety and build user confidence, we introduced a seamless verification flow that confirms each user’s identity before granting full access to the app.
Final UI Design
Home Screen
The Home Screen is the user's starting point after login, designed to feel warm and purposeful. It offers a clear path to key features like finding travel buddies, checking nearby events, and viewing recent activity.
The Home Screen is the user's starting point after login, designed to feel warm and purposeful. It offers a clear path to key features like finding travel buddies, checking nearby events, and viewing recent activity.
Final UI Design
Calendar Screen
Users can view upcoming trips, coordinate meetups, and manage personal plans.
Users can view upcoming trips, coordinate meetups, and manage personal plans.
Final UI Design
Connect Screen
The Connect screen makes it easy for solo travelers to discover and interact with like-minded people nearby or at their next destination
The Connect screen makes it easy for solo travelers to discover and interact with like-minded people nearby or at their next destination
Final UI Design
Chats Screen
The Chats Screen makes it easy for solo travelers to connect and build meaningful conversations safely.
The Chats Screen makes it easy for solo travelers to connect and build meaningful conversations safely.
Usability Test
Once the design phase was complete, I conducted usability testing to evaluate how real users interacted with the product.
The goal was to identify any friction points, gather feedback on the overall experience, and validate whether the core features were intuitive and met user needs.
Once the design phase was complete, I conducted usability testing to evaluate how real users interacted with the product.
The goal was to identify any friction points, gather feedback on the overall experience, and validate whether the core features were intuitive and met user needs.
To assess how easily users could navigate key flows.
To assess how easily users could navigate key flows.
To assess how easily users could navigate key flows.
To uncover any usability issues in finding other solo travelers.
To uncover any usability issues in finding other solo travelers.
To uncover any usability issues in finding other solo travelers.
To observe any points of confusion or drop-off during tasks
To observe any points of confusion or drop-off during tasks
To observe any points of confusion or drop-off during tasks
To understand whether trust-building elements (e.g., verification) made users feel safe.
To understand whether trust-building elements (e.g., verification) made users feel safe.
To understand whether trust-building elements (e.g., verification) made users feel safe.
To gather insights on the app’s visual design and how well it delivers on making solo travel more meaningful.
To gather insights on the app’s visual design and how well it delivers on making solo travel more meaningful.
To gather insights on the app’s visual design and how well it delivers on making solo travel more meaningful.
Purpose & Scope of Test
Purpose & Scope of Test
Purpose & Scope of Test
Metrics to Observe
Metrics to Observe
Percentage of users who complete tasks successfully without assistance.
Percentage of users who complete tasks successfully without assistance.
How long it takes users to complete key tasks.
How long it takes users to complete key tasks.
Number and types of errors users make during tasks.
Number and types of errors users make during tasks.
Where users abandon tasks or lose interest.
Where users abandon tasks or lose interest.
Willingness to recommend the app to others
Willingness to recommend the app to others
Test Insight
The insights gathered from the usability test were carefully organized for clarity and easy understanding.
The insights gathered from the usability test were carefully organized for clarity and easy understanding.
90%
90%
Completion Rate
90% of user completed the given tasks without assistance.
75%
Time Efficiency
75% of users completed tasks within the given timeframe.
18%
Error Rate
18% of users encountered errors while completing tasks.
Conclusion
Overall, the app shows strong potential in delivering on its promise to make solo travel less lonely and more meaningful, while also presenting clear areas for further design iteration and improvement.