Wander
Wander
Inspiring exploration through crafted experiences.
Inspiring exploration through crafted experiences.
TIMELINE
36 hours
TOOLS
Figma
TEAM MEMBERS
Sydney Bernal
Ibrahim Ma
Mavis Lo
ROLE
Research
Ideation
Product Design
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
Addressing homogeneity in digital spaces
Addressing homogeneity in digital spaces
Digital spaces greatly shape our exploration, self-expression, and connections. However, the rise of uniform designs and trends can lead to a lack of diversity, making unique ideas harder to find.
To enhance engagement, we must prioritize variety and thoughtful design that encourages curiosity and exploration.
Digital spaces greatly shape our exploration, self-expression, and connections. However, the rise of uniform designs and trends can lead to a lack of diversity, making unique ideas harder to find.
To enhance engagement, we must prioritize variety and thoughtful design that encourages curiosity and exploration.
THE ASK
THE ASK
How might we address homogeneity in digital spaces to make experiences feel more unique, engaging, and exploratory?
How might we address homogeneity in digital spaces to make experiences feel more unique, engaging, and exploratory?
There were plenty of different routes that my teammates and I could’ve possibly took, as it was ultimately up to us to choose exactly how we want to define homogeneity.
Through conversation, we opted for trend-driven sameness on social media regarding travel destinations, as most travellers tend to visit the same places, leaving many attractions undiscovered.
There were plenty of different routes that my teammates and I could’ve possibly took, as it was ultimately up to us to choose exactly how we want to define homogeneity.
Through conversation, we opted for trend-driven sameness on social media regarding travel destinations, as most travellers tend to visit the same places, leaving many attractions undiscovered.
Constantly disappointed by famous landmarks.
Constantly disappointed by famous landmarks.
Desire to explore local culture.
Desire to explore local culture.
Decision fatigue and disagreements during the planning process.
Decision fatigue and disagreements during the planning process.
In order for us to get a clear understanding of the possible features to implement in our solution, we wanted to hear from individuals who travel often themselves and identify pain points that we should tackle.
Across 3 verbal interviews conducted, we identified the following:
In order for us to get a clear understanding of the possible features to implement in our solution, we wanted to hear from individuals who travel often themselves and identify pain points that we should tackle.
Across 3 verbal interviews conducted, we identified the following:
Conducting research about the trip planning process
Conducting research about the trip planning process
REWORKED PROBLEM STATEMENT
REWORKED PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we encourage travellers to be more spontaneous and explore local culture in a society shaped by trends and conformity?
How might we encourage travellers to be more spontaneous and explore local culture in a society shaped by trends and conformity?
PROCESS
PROCESS
Frequently produces SEO-optimized outcomes, featuring numerous reviews and ratings.
Frequently produces SEO-optimized outcomes, featuring numerous reviews and ratings.
Filled with promotional content and trends designed for a targeted demographic.
Filled with promotional content and trends designed for a targeted demographic.
Analyzing existing solutions and their problems
Analyzing existing solutions and their problems
Current solutions simply don’t drive travellers towards genuine, local, and unconventional experiences.
Google searches, travel recommendation platforms, and AI engines only offer popular destinations, not hole in the wall spots.
In contrast, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are crowded with sponsored content and trends, making it difficult to find local recommendations.
Current solutions simply don’t drive travellers towards genuine, local, and unconventional experiences.
Google searches, travel recommendation platforms, and AI engines only offer popular destinations, not hole in the wall spots.
In contrast, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are crowded with sponsored content and trends, making it difficult to find local recommendations.
Feature ideation to provide users with incentive
Feature ideation to provide users with incentive
→
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To better understand our goal for this app, we went to the drawing board and began the ideation process for our solution to gain a clearer direction to follow.
Throughout this process, we needed to ensure that our application was different and provided the necessary incentive and motivation for users, without suffering from feature overload and decision fatigue.
To better understand our goal for this app, we went to the drawing board and began the ideation process for our solution to gain a clearer direction to follow.
Throughout this process, we needed to ensure that our application was different and provided the necessary incentive and motivation for users, without suffering from feature overload and decision fatigue.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Wander is your partner-in-crime when it comes to trip planning.
You are able to view your current trip, discover places near your location, and go into the archives and view past trips!
Wander is your partner-in-crime when it comes to trip planning.
You are able to view your current trip, discover places near your location, and go into the archives and view past trips!
View your current trip & the distance between each location.
View your current trip & the distance between each location.
Seek spontaneous activities & hidden gems using the discovery tab.
Seek spontaneous activities & hidden gems using the discovery tab.
Visited a place you think everyone should try? Suggest it to let other users know.
Visited a place you think everyone should try? Suggest it to let other users know.
Be in full control of the planning process for your next trip.
From the most reputable places to hidden gems, create your very own trip itinerary that will guarantee a memorable journey full of delicious food and breath-taking sights.
Be in full control of the planning process for your next trip.
From the most reputable places to hidden gems, create your very own trip itinerary that will guarantee a memorable journey full of delicious food and breath-taking sights.
Defining the Unseen Problem
Defining the Unseen Problem
Delved into industry-specific contexts through open-ended discovery, moving past uniform surface trends to uncover true user friction points and build a genuinely relevant solution.
Delved into industry-specific contexts through open-ended discovery, moving past uniform surface trends to uncover true user friction points and build a genuinely relevant solution.
Designing for Business Growth
Designing for Business Growth
Bridged the gap between user motivations and core business goals, proving how strategic, user-centered design decisions directly drive measurable product growth and impact.
Bridged the gap between user motivations and core business goals, proving how strategic, user-centered design decisions directly drive measurable product growth and impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
At the end of the day, nothing beats the experience and the memorable moments of building a solution with your closest friends!
Achieving first place was the cherry on top, but I'm always looking for the next opportunity to build within time constraints to develop my product thinking.