My Role: UI/UX Designer
Duration: June-August 2023
ABOUT THE PROJECT
PackRat is a comprehensive trip management platform that includes both a mobile app and a website, designed to enhance users’ travel experiences by providing them with essential tools to plan, organize, and enjoy their trips. The app and website empower users to effortlessly discover nearby trips, customize activities, create packing lists, and stay well-prepared for their adventures.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The primary challenge was to create a seamless platform that helps users organize trips by suggesting nearby trails, and parks, catering to their specific preferences and activities and attractions while providing tools to create and manage packing lists. The goal was to simplify the packing process, ensuring users have everything they need for a successful trip.
BUSINESS GOALS
The goal is to address this challenge by designing an intuitive app and website that offers location-based recommendations for trips and attractions. Additionally, a comprehensive packing feature was implemented, enabling users to customize and optimize their packing lists based on activities and weather forecasts. This streamlined approach empowers users to confidently plan and pack for their trips with ease
DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
The research included surveys to understand traveler’s pain points, needs, and behaviors. It was discovered that many traveler faced challenges in efficiently packing for their trips, often leading to forgotten items, over-packing, or unpreparedness for varying weather conditions.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
When comparing PackRat to competitors like AllTrails and FatMap, notable distinctions were observed:
PackRat
- Allows users to create and manage customized packing lists.
- Provides a pack score to evaluate the completeness of users’ packs.
- Offers chat support for real-time suggestions on missing items
- Integrates trip planning, packing, and guidance in a single platform.
Competitor Analysis:
- Focus on trip guidance and trail information.
- Lack the capability to create and personalize packing lists.
- Do not provide a pack scoring system or chat support for packing optimization.
DEFINE
USER PERSONAS
EMPATHY MAP
IDEATE
INFORMATION ARCHITECHTURE
USER FLOW
DESIGN
STYLE GUIDE
COLORS
TYPOGRAPHY
MOODBOARD
WIREFRAMES
DESIGN PROCESS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
FUTURE GOALS
- PackRat’s future entails revolutionary travel planning.
- Users can buy essential items through affiliate marketing, supporting the revenue model.
- Ongoing evolution aligns with user feedback and emerging travel trends.
- PackRat transforms travel planning and packing, creating organized and enjoyable journeys.
- Enhanced pack scoring and chat assistance offer accuracy.
- The platform’s continuous development reflects its commitment to user needs and travel innovation.
WHAT I LEARNT
- I embarked on my first independent project as a UI/UX designer.
- Crafting the website’s entire copy was a new experience I undertook, which was very thrilling, and I did a good job according to the client.
- Within a challenging span of 1 month, I successfully completed the entire design process.
- Through this endeavour, I learned a lot about the balance between user centered and visual appealing design.
- I understood how important it is to focus on what users want, try different versions of the design, and make sure all the parts work well together.
- The gratifying outcome was the client’s immense contentment with the final design.
- Additionally I also understood how important it is to focus on what users want, try different versions of the design, and make sure all the parts work well together.
- I recognized first-hand how collaboration across design and development teams are crucial in delivering a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.