Wayfarer
Wayfarer is a platform designed for travellers to discover new destinations around the world and research their next adventure based on personal travel preferences. Targeted at frequent travellers aged 21 to 30 seeking new experiences, Wayfarer aims to inspire and simplify trip planning.
🎯 Objective
Travel planning can feel overwhelming with countless options and details to consider. Our goal was to design an intuitive travel search interface that allows users to easily compare destinations and find the best fit without frustration.
Key design considerations
I focused on applying principles of color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and layout to create a simple, user-friendly interface using Figma.
01 Colour theory
I chose a orange and blue to evoke a sense of adventure while also ensuring the design remains accessible and visually engaging with high contrast.
02 Typography
I selected Inter for its high legibility, clear letterforms, and generous x-height, improving readability across different devices and screen sizes.
03 Design concepts
Using pen and paper, I sketched low-fidelity wireframes to effectively communicate my design ideas, focusing on the overall structure and user flow without the distraction of detailed visuals.
🔁 Design process
🕵🏻♀️ Research and discovery
We began by understanding our users through user personas, which helped us identify their key pain points and preferences. We found that they wanted:
A quick and easy way to filter destinations.
Personalized recommendations based on their interests.
A visually appealing and intuitive interface.
🖌️ Wireframing and prototyping
Wireframing: I created low-fidelity wireframes to map out the basic structure and user flow, ensuring the interface was intuitive before adding visual details.
Prototyping: Next, we created high-fidelity prototypes using Figma. These prototypes included interactive elements to simulate real life user flows and experience.
User Testing: Then, we conducted usability tests with real users to gather their feedback. This helped us identify areas for improvement and ensure the interface met what they looked for (interests, types of questions to ask, preferences, etc).
🔑 Key learnings and reflections
Learning #1: Modular design
Building UI elements with a modular mindset taught me the importance of reusability and flexibility in design. By creating adaptable components, I could maintain a consistent visual language across different sections of the interface while saving time on future changes/additions I wanted to make.
Learning #2: Design systems from the pros
Studying established design systems, such as those from Apple and Carbon, showed me the value of proven best practices. Instead of reinventing the wheel, using tried-and-true patterns speeds up the design process and delivers more reliable outcomes, reminding me that great design often builds upon existing frameworks.
Lesson #3: Personalization is key
Through implementing tailored questionnaires (e.g., activities, climate, budget), I realized how impactful personalization can be in engaging users. Allowing travellers to receive destination recommendations aligned with their unique interests can improve the overall experience.
Lesson #4: Responsive design
I realized how important it is to create a smooth experience across all devices—whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. Taking a mobile-first approach, I started with the smallest screen and worked upward, ensuring consistency and adaptability. This approach also shaped how I designed content to adjust seamlessly across different devices, making interactions feel natural and intuitive no matter where users access the product.
