The Problem
The idea for this app was inspired by my parents, who are currently in the process of planning their first trip outside of the United States. I took note of their frustration with the amount of available information that didn't cater to their interests and lifestyle. During my research, I discovered that the majority of people have the desire to travel internationally but feel overwhelmed when planning a trip to a foreign destination.
The Solution
Across the Pond is an app that helps individuals confidently plan their trips abroad by connecting them with locals from the destination who can guide them based on their interests. Across the Pond also assists users in organizing their itineraries and navigating new destinations once they have arrived.
User Research
I began my research by conducting 6 interviews to better understand how people feel about international travel. I discovered that majority of people want to travel internationally but feel overwhelmed when planning a trip to a foreign destination. I also created an 8-question survey with 20 participants, learned that there is a strong desire for international travel.
Definition & Ideation
Erica, a planner who wants to experience a different country, needs to confidently decide on travel options for a vacation abroad in order to feel like she had an authentic cultural experience and feel comfortable navigating a foreign country.
Storyboard
Erica, a planner who wants to experience a different country, needs to confidently decide on travel options for a vacation abroad in order to feel like she had an authentic cultural experience and feel comfortable navigating a foreign country.
Prototype
I began this stage by building out a user flow with the app’s primary feature: scheduling a video chat with a local. I then sketched out wireframes, tested them in InVision before translating them to mid-fidelity wireframes in Figma. Following user testing, I made iterations before building out a high-fidelity prototype.
