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A journey of designing the VolunTrip app concept for a travel community.
I designed a prototype for a global app connecting backpackers with volunteer opportunities at hostels, B&Bs, NGOs, schools, and organic farms worldwide.
VolunTrip was conceptualized as a collaborative community designed to make travel more accessible for those seeking profound cultural experiences. Through an online platform it would connect travelers - eager to exchange their skills for accommodation - with incredible hosts from around the world. The decision was made to focus on mobile only, creating and launching an app that would allow travelers to easily discover their VolunTrip experience on the move.
I played a role in conceptualizing the app, ensuring a smooth user experience while relaxing at home or navigating a crowded train.
The primary goals were the following:
For the project we operated with limited time and resources, which is why prioritization and a deep focus on user needs guided us from ideation to launch for every feature. This project wasn’t built overnight; each feature was conceptualized based on user priorities and business goals.
By collecting data and speaking with numerous backpackers who had lived the experience, I identified four personas that reflect the diverse range of traveler behaviors worldwide. Here are the key characteristics of each persona:
They’re ready to step away from their long-term job and embrace travel for an open-ended period. Seeking personal growth, a change in lifestyle, and a deeper understanding of themselves, they’re either just starting their journey or are already on the road.
After completing their studies, they plan to travel for six months or more before returning home to start their career. They could use VolunTrip as a way to extend their travels while keeping costs down.
They use their university summer break to travel, seeking a unique experience that allows them to save money. It's not just a typical vacation, but an opportunity to enhance their resume, expand their career prospects, and gain valuable knowledge.
They use their vacation time to travel to new cities or countries, eager to meet new people, explore unfamiliar places, and improve their language skills, particularly English or another language. Along the way, they also aim to develop new abilities.
Onboarding: Introducing new users to the VolunTrip experience:
With a strong focus on attracting new users, it was crucial not to let them slip away after their first interaction with the app. We aimed to create a welcoming and personalized onboarding experience that would foster a deeper connection with the app and provide tailored content as users navigate through the app.
I designed an onboarding process that asked targeted questions to guide users towards the most relevant results, clearly explaining the app's purpose and giving travelers a quick way to outline their plans.
To shape these onboarding questions, I consulted with stakeholders and conducted interviews with travelers to identify the key factors they consider when deciding to book a trip.
After travelers gain a clear understanding of what VolunTrip offers, the next step was helping them find the ideal opportunity to kickstart their journey.
Based on user input I implemented key filters to refine the search process, allowing travelers to find opportunities that matched their skills, interests, and travel goals.
Finding the right host is about matching a traveler’s goals with the host's needs. To make this clearer, I divided the host listings into two main sections:
I also incorporated additional factors that influence user decisions, such as availability, requirements, photos, and reviews, to provide a comprehensive view of each host.
To assist travelers in making final decisions and addressing any remaining questions before their trip, we introduced a community feature that connects travelers inside the VolunTrip app.
The VolunTrip app wasn’t meant as a one-time launch; it’s an ongoing project that continues to evolve based on user feedback. Over time, the app is supposed to show significant results, driving positive impact across the entire brand and its users.
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A glimpse into the case study for Dekoora - a German local brand in Berlin that turns homes into personal, empowering spaces with handcrafted, sustainable wall art.
