Project Overview
As overlanding gains popularity and more individuals seek adventurous solitude, the demand for a location-based app that fosters a community sharing reviews of camping spots, routes, and nearby fuel and supply sources has never been greater. This app caters to self-contained overlanders by providing valuable information about the surrounding areas and destinations they intend to explore, ensuring they remain well-informed about their surroundings and equipped for their journeys.
Design Process
To gain insights into the challenges faced by users when selecting areas to explore and the importance of receiving others' opinions on those locations, I conducted interviews with potential users. Utilizing the gathered data, I developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and generated ideas that addressed the needs identified by potential users. Through testing and refinement, I ensured that the final product met the expectations and requirements of the users.
Empathize
Market Research
Competitive Analysis
Interviews
Define
User Persona
Empathy Map
Ideate
MVP
Jobs To Be Done
User Flow
Design
Low-Fi
Mid-Fi
High-Fi
Wireframes
Visual Design
Evaluate
User Insight's
Refine
Empathize
During the process of conducting a competitive analysis, I discovered a plethora of mapping apps available in the market. However, upon closer examination, it became apparent that only a handful of them included user reviews of trails, and even fewer offered a feature for collaborative trip planning among friends or groups.
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Ability to create custom routes and sync across devices
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Can share routes with others
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Users can submit reviews of trails
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Thorough description of trails.
STRENGTHS
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onX as trail details with over 500k recreation points like campsites, trailheads and more.
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They focus on trip planning with important information on routes
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They encourage sharing trips with reviews from others
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Has a growing user community
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Useful mapping tools
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Ability to download maps
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Tutorials are part of the app
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SEO could be improved
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Cannot add friends to the trip.
WEAKNESSES
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SEDO could be improved
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Focus is on a few categories
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Limited number of map layers
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Not very well known
Define
Ideate
By analyzing the information collected from the interviews, I constructed user flows that mapped out the desired journey and interactions of users within the app. These user flows served as a foundation for creating high-fidelity prototypes, which I then tested with potential users. Through this iterative process of testing and refining the prototypes, I gained valuable insights and feedback that further informed the development of the app.
Design
In designing the app's visual aesthetics, my objective was to evoke a sense of calmness and serenity. To achieve this, I carefully selected a color palette that captures the ambiance of the outdoors during dusk. Earthy tones such as clay and green were chosen to symbolize the natural environment, while various shades of blue were incorporated to represent the expansive sky. Together, these colors create a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere within the app's interface.
Style Guide
Final Design
In designing the app's visual aesthetics, my objective was to evoke a sense of calmness and serenity. To achieve this, I carefully selected a color palette that captures the ambiance of the outdoors during dusk. Earthy tones such as clay and green were chosen to symbolize the natural environment, while various shades of blue were incorporated to represent the expansive sky. Together, these colors create a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere within the app's interface.
Evaluate
I aimed to create a unique overlanding app that stands apart from existing ones by adopting a collaborative approach. This involves incorporating features for users to provide reviews and comments on locations, as well as facilitating group participation in trips to share responsibilities. Moving forward, my plan is to introduce a list feature where users can create comprehensive lists of supplies and food items for their journeys. Furthermore, users will be able to assign specific responsibilities to others, ensuring everyone knows what items they need to bring.