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This is a two-year journey of designing the VolunTrip app, a travel community with a growing number of users.
The design and development of a prototype for a global app connecting backpackers with volunteer opportunities at hostels, B&Bs, NGOs, schools, and organic farms across many countries.
VolunTrip is a collaborative community designed to make travel more accessible for those seeking profound cultural experiences. Through an online platform, it connects travelers—eager to exchange their skills for accommodation—with incredible hosts from around the world.
In 2015, the decision was made to focus on mobile, launching an app that would allow travelers to easily discover and confirm their VolunTrip experience while on the move.
I played a key role in conceptualizing and building the VolunTrip app, ensuring a smooth user experience whether relaxing at home or navigating a crowded train. The primary goals were:
As a startup, 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 released based on user priorities and business goals.
By collecting data and speaking with numerous backpackers who had lived the experience, we 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 abroad, they plan to travel for six months or more before returning home to start their career. They 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; it’s 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 they're focused on. 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. We aimed to create a welcoming and personalized onboarding experience that would foster a deeper connection with the brand and provide tailored content as users navigated 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 with Worldpackers.
After travelers gained a clear understanding of what VolunTrip offers, the next step was helping them find the ideal opportunity to kickstart their journey.
Based on user interviews, 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 needs of the host. 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, I introduced a community feature that connects travelers with VolunTrip.
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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Design for various fashion brands, creating user-friendly, engaging, and visually appealing experiences that keep visitors connected and drive results.
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Development of a user friendly app layout and a functional interface for a snack kiosk