Hidden Gemz
Hidden Gemz is a travel app revolutionizing exploration through gamification. Users can discover local treasures, earn gems by completing quests at tourist spots, unlock discounts at businesses, and share their adventures with friends.
Problem Statement
In a crowded travel app market, users struggle to find a comprehensive approach that aligns traveler preferences with the capabilities of local businesses, incorporates sustainable and community-led experiences, addresses inflation-related concerns, and explores the untapped potential of gamification in the travel and tourism industry.
Opportunity Statement
“How can we revolutionize travel exploration by seamlessly integrating curated local insights with a gamified interface?”
DESIGN PROCESS
1. DISCOVER
Market Research
Through research, it was found that due to inflation, consumers are looking to visit low-cost cities, with low-cost activities.
In addition, it was found that through gamification, there is increased user engagement, improved customer loyalty, expanded brand awareness and enhanced customer experience
Most travelers prefer to travel in more local destinations, to support local businesses and communities.
Persona
2. PROTOTYPE
App User Flow
The User Flow Map for Hidden Gemz visually outlines the steps a user takes to achieve their goal within the app, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience.
Sketches & Ideation
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Duration: 10 weeks
Team members: Martha Vaughan, Kaci Kopf, Emily Ulfig
Role & Responsibilities: UX Design & UI Design
86% of Gen-Z and Millennial respondents want to shop at small businesses when they travel to a new location
69% of respondents would spend more during a vacation if they knew it supported a local community
68% of respondents agree they pride themselves on finding lesser-known vacation spots before they become popular
American Express 2023 Global Travel Trends Report
Moodboard
The moodboard visually captures the tone, style, and aesthetic direction of Hidden Gemz.
The moodboard showcases the feelings of boldness, simplicity, natural, and aesthetic.
Sketches and ideation visually explore and generate ideas, helping to brainstorm, refine concepts, and solve design problems creatively.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
3. ANALYZE
4. DELIVER
Style Guide
User Feedback
Usability testing evaluates how real users interact with a product to identify pain points and improve its functionality and user experience.
Various participants walked through Hidden Gemz and provided insightful feedback; what the incentive is.
Final App Design
Onboarding & Home Screens
The onboarding and home screen prepares the user for what the app is like and welcomes them.
The welcome page shows the user’s profile and how many gemz and friendz they have within their account. Below shows their recent and ongoing questz.
Trip Screens
The trip screens allows the user to view their ongoing and past tripz. In addition, users can search locations, or view various categories to assist them in finding their next travel destination, where they can uncover their hidden gemz.
Questz Screens
The Questz screens allows the user to view their location and how they can uncover hidden gemz. The user is given 4 levels to unlock within their location beginning at level 1. The user is given in-depth information on each level with reviews on past users who have completed that quest.
Gemz & Picz Screens
Users are given a screen showcasing how many gemz they have acquired from their past quest. After acquiring the gemz, users are able to view pictures from their tripz.
