Projects
Airbnb Adventurers
Airbnb Adventurers
The BBC conducted a large global loneliness survey in 2018 with 55,000 participants. Among respondents ages 16 to 24, 40% reported feeling lonely very often - the largest group to do so. Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer. By helping people socialise with both friends and new people, we can lower the chances and severity of loneliness in young people.
The BBC conducted a large global loneliness survey in 2018 with 55,000 participants. Among respondents ages 16 to 24, 40% reported feeling lonely very often - the largest group to do so. Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer. By helping people socialise with both friends and new people, we can lower the chances and severity of loneliness in young people.
The Problem
The Problem
Loneliness is ever-growing within Gen Z. People are lacking meaningful moments and connections away from their phone screens. How do we help Gen Z get away from the phone screen, out the front door and creating memories with other people?
Loneliness is ever-growing within Gen Z. People are lacking meaningful moments and connections away from their phone screens. How do we help Gen Z get away from the phone screen, out the front door and creating memories with other people?
The Solution
The Solution
Airbnb Adventurers helps people create meaningful moments and form new connections with others worldwide. Users can team up with nearby travellers or locals to complete location specific challenges together that encourage teamwork, conversation and most importantly, fun.
Airbnb Adventurers helps people create meaningful moments and form new connections with others worldwide. Users can team up with nearby travellers or locals to complete location specific challenges together that encourage teamwork, conversation and most importantly, fun.
1. Research & Discovery
1. Research & Discovery
With this project focussing on combatting loneliness in young people, I first Researched causes and potential solutions to loneliness. This helped me develop ideas for how I could incorporate some of these solutions into my app. Getting out of the house and meeting up with people simply to socialise or through activities seemed the most popular ways to at least start getting out of a lonely cycle.
With this project focussing on combatting loneliness in young people, I first Researched causes and potential solutions to loneliness. This helped me develop ideas for how I could incorporate some of these solutions into my app. Getting out of the house and meeting up with people simply to socialise or through activities seemed the most popular ways to at least start getting out of a lonely cycle.
With this project focussing on combatting loneliness in young people, I first Researched causes and potential solutions to loneliness. This helped me develop ideas for how I could incorporate some of these solutions into my app. Getting out of the house and meeting up with people simply to socialise or through activities seemed the most popular ways to at least start getting out of a lonely cycle.
Next I looked into Data & Statistics regarding travel trends for Gen Z people. Both how they respond to advertisement for travel and there habits when it comes to where they travel, how they travel and who they travel with. Amongst young people both solo travelling and travelling with friends are very popular so it was key that I catered to both of these demographics in my product.
Next I looked into Data & Statistics regarding travel trends for Gen Z people. Both how they respond to advertisement for travel and there habits when it comes to where they travel, how they travel and who they travel with. Amongst young people both solo travelling and travelling with friends are very popular so it was key that I catered to both of these demographics in my product.
Next I looked into Data & Statistics regarding travel trends for Gen Z people. Both how they respond to advertisement for travel and there habits when it comes to where they travel, how they travel and who they travel with. Amongst young people both solo travelling and travelling with friends are very popular so it was key that I catered to both of these demographics in my product.
As this product is supposed to be an add on to the already existing Airbnb app, I Researched everything I could about Airbnb itself: the founders, the brand, their success, their core values and a timeline of their history. This helped me understand aspects such as the identity and tone of voice I needed to portray to stay completely aligned with the brand when designing my product.
As this product is supposed to be an add on to the already existing Airbnb app, I Researched everything I could about Airbnb itself: the founders, the brand, their success, their core values and a timeline of their history. This helped me understand aspects such as the identity and tone of voice I needed to portray to stay completely aligned with the brand when designing my product.
As this product is supposed to be an add on to the already existing Airbnb app, I Researched everything I could about Airbnb itself: the founders, the brand, their success, their core values and a timeline of their history. This helped me understand aspects such as the identity and tone of voice I needed to portray to stay completely aligned with the brand when designing my product.
I completed my initial research by asking a Survey to my target demographic. This was to figure out their travel habits as well as desires and priorities they have when travelling. Exploration and making lasting memories with people became the clearest standouts of these priorities and an app that made both of these easier to achieve and more worthwhile received largely positive feedback. The ability to save money where possible was the next biggest priority and was one I intended to try and implement in my product.
I completed my initial research by asking a Survey to my target demographic. This was to figure out their travel habits as well as desires and priorities they have when travelling. Exploration and making lasting memories with people became the clearest standouts of these priorities and an app that made both of these easier to achieve and more worthwhile received largely positive feedback. The ability to save money where possible was the next biggest priority and was one I intended to try and implement in my product.
I completed my initial research by asking a Survey to my target demographic. This was to figure out their travel habits as well as desires and priorities they have when travelling. Exploration and making lasting memories with people became the clearest standouts of these priorities and an app that made both of these easier to achieve and more worthwhile received largely positive feedback. The ability to save money where possible was the next biggest priority and was one I intended to try and implement in my product.
Looking at Competitor travel apps were equally as helpful as looking at Airbnb itself. It allowed me to see all the different features that were successful, and not so successful. As my app intended to help users find locations for sights and challenges, I was keen to see how other competitors used map features and promoted businesses local to the area.
Looking at Competitor travel apps were equally as helpful as looking at Airbnb itself. It allowed me to see all the different features that were successful, and not so successful. As my app intended to help users find locations for sights and challenges, I was keen to see how other competitors used map features and promoted businesses local to the area.
Looking at Competitor travel apps were equally as helpful as looking at Airbnb itself. It allowed me to see all the different features that were successful, and not so successful. As my app intended to help users find locations for sights and challenges, I was keen to see how other competitors used map features and promoted businesses local to the area.
After discovering the features I wanted to include I began to look for Design Inspiration. I looked at travel apps, property apps and food apps in an attempt to find the best way of portraying my ideas. As I would be displaying Icons and cards for challenges varying from monuments to beaches to local cafes, I wanted to find the most successful ways of promoting a location, its positives and how to reach it.
After discovering the features I wanted to include I began to look for Design Inspiration. I looked at travel apps, property apps and food apps in an attempt to find the best way of portraying my ideas. As I would be displaying Icons and cards for challenges varying from monuments to beaches to local cafes, I wanted to find the most successful ways of promoting a location, its positives and how to reach it.
After discovering the features I wanted to include I began to look for Design Inspiration. I looked at travel apps, property apps and food apps in an attempt to find the best way of portraying my ideas. As I would be displaying Icons and cards for challenges varying from monuments to beaches to local cafes, I wanted to find the most successful ways of promoting a location, its positives and how to reach it.
2. Ideation & Process
2. Ideation & Process
Personas helped to determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. After comparing three different types of potential users it was clear that the core aim of my product needed to be to provide users with an affordable way to form meaningful connections with places and people.
Personas helped to determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. After comparing three different types of potential users it was clear that the core aim of my product needed to be to provide users with an affordable way to form meaningful connections with places and people.
Personas helped to determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. After comparing three different types of potential users it was clear that the core aim of my product needed to be to provide users with an affordable way to form meaningful connections with places and people.
To portray users experience with my app I made a Customer Journey Map. This allowed me to pinpoint potential user frustrations along the journey of the app. As one of the main features of the app was about connecting with people I wanted to ensure this was as seamless and stress free as possible for the user.
To portray users experience with my app I made a Customer Journey Map. This allowed me to pinpoint potential user frustrations along the journey of the app. As one of the main features of the app was about connecting with people I wanted to ensure this was as seamless and stress free as possible for the user.
To portray users experience with my app I made a Customer Journey Map. This allowed me to pinpoint potential user frustrations along the journey of the app. As one of the main features of the app was about connecting with people I wanted to ensure this was as seamless and stress free as possible for the user.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in focussing on the needs of the user and how I could achieve them. I wanted to find as many avenues to forming connections between people as possible whilst also making it just as enjoyable to use alone. Challenges, team objectives, rewards for completion and photo albums were the main features I set out to include.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in focussing on the needs of the user and how I could achieve them. I wanted to find as many avenues to forming connections between people as possible whilst also making it just as enjoyable to use alone. Challenges, team objectives, rewards for completion and photo albums were the main features I set out to include.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in focussing on the needs of the user and how I could achieve them. I wanted to find as many avenues to forming connections between people as possible whilst also making it just as enjoyable to use alone. Challenges, team objectives, rewards for completion and photo albums were the main features I set out to include.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This highlighted how important simplicity needed to be when using the app. As being in a potentially unknown place without set plans can already be stressful. It was important to make the app reliable and trustworthy.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This highlighted how important simplicity needed to be when using the app. As being in a potentially unknown place without set plans can already be stressful. It was important to make the app reliable and trustworthy.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This highlighted how important simplicity needed to be when using the app. As being in a potentially unknown place without set plans can already be stressful. It was important to make the app reliable and trustworthy.
To ensure this trust and simplicity from opening the app to reaching its goal I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to. With the main hub being the source of all the apps actions, it made sure I hadn’t missed anything out or equally made it too cluttered.
To ensure this trust and simplicity from opening the app to reaching its goal I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to. With the main hub being the source of all the apps actions, it made sure I hadn’t missed anything out or equally made it too cluttered.
To ensure this trust and simplicity from opening the app to reaching its goal I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to. With the main hub being the source of all the apps actions, it made sure I hadn’t missed anything out or equally made it too cluttered.
3. Design Stage
3. Design Stage
Creating Low Fidelity images from my first concepts was the first step in the design process. This assisted me in determining the content structure and how I would guide the user to their intended location. How I set out the challenges for users was the layout I struggled with most and went through many iterations when designing in high fidelity. Initially I planned to set it out like a bingo card but this was far too cluttered and complicated to view.
Creating Low Fidelity images from my first concepts was the first step in the design process. This assisted me in determining the content structure and how I would guide the user to their intended location. How I set out the challenges for users was the layout I struggled with most and went through many iterations when designing in high fidelity. Initially I planned to set it out like a bingo card but this was far too cluttered and complicated to view.
Creating Low Fidelity images from my first concepts was the first step in the design process. This assisted me in determining the content structure and how I would guide the user to their intended location. How I set out the challenges for users was the layout I struggled with most and went through many iterations when designing in high fidelity. Initially I planned to set it out like a bingo card but this was far too cluttered and complicated to view.
It was important to maintain Airbnb’s Branding throughout the app. I intended to achieve this through strong colour iconography and tone of voice. By making the app clearly in association with Airbnb, I hoped to achieve a sense of trust and friendliness from the user. By creating a safe space for the user it would be easier to help them take the leap and connect with new people.
It was important to maintain Airbnb’s Branding throughout the app. I intended to achieve this through strong colour iconography and tone of voice. By making the app clearly in association with Airbnb, I hoped to achieve a sense of trust and friendliness from the user. By creating a safe space for the user it would be easier to help them take the leap and connect with new people.
It was important to maintain Airbnb’s Branding throughout the app. I intended to achieve this through strong colour iconography and tone of voice. By making the app clearly in association with Airbnb, I hoped to achieve a sense of trust and friendliness from the user. By creating a safe space for the user it would be easier to help them take the leap and connect with new people.
I utilised User Testing after creating my initial design iterations to ensure the app was user-friendly and intuitive. Additionally, it informed me of possible changes I could implement to guarantee that a future user would not experience any problems. Making sure all options were clear and legible were the main sticking points to improve from testing what was otherwise a simple journey to navigate for users.
I utilised User Testing after creating my initial design iterations to ensure the app was user-friendly and intuitive. Additionally, it informed me of possible changes I could implement to guarantee that a future user would not experience any problems. Making sure all options were clear and legible were the main sticking points to improve from testing what was otherwise a simple journey to navigate for users.
I utilised User Testing after creating my initial design iterations to ensure the app was user-friendly and intuitive. Additionally, it informed me of possible changes I could implement to guarantee that a future user would not experience any problems. Making sure all options were clear and legible were the main sticking points to improve from testing what was otherwise a simple journey to navigate for users.
4. Final Designs
4. Final Designs
Start up - Upon opening the app, users are able to select from a multitude of decks offering themed challenges around popular or lesser known locations as well as decks produced and sponsored by local businesses in the chosen area.
Start up - Upon opening the app, users are able to select from a multitude of decks offering themed challenges around popular or lesser known locations as well as decks produced and sponsored by local businesses in the chosen area.
Start up - Upon opening the app, users are able to select from a multitude of decks offering themed challenges around popular or lesser known locations as well as decks produced and sponsored by local businesses in the chosen area.
Decks - Each deck has a set of challenges to be completed themed around its locations and sights. It could be reaching the top of a landmark, finding a native animal or creating a location specific outfit. Completing challenges rewards users with vouchers and discounts for other experiences and businesses in the area.
Decks - Each deck has a set of challenges to be completed themed around its locations and sights. It could be reaching the top of a landmark, finding a native animal or creating a location specific outfit. Completing challenges rewards users with vouchers and discounts for other experiences and businesses in the area.
Decks - Each deck has a set of challenges to be completed themed around its locations and sights. It could be reaching the top of a landmark, finding a native animal or creating a location specific outfit. Completing challenges rewards users with vouchers and discounts for other experiences and businesses in the area.
Main Hub
This is where users can see their active deck challenges and, once teaming up, their team members. Tapping the challenge image flips the card to reveal the challenge description and the option to submit a photo to complete said challenge.
Main Hub
This is where users can see their active deck challenges and, once teaming up, their team members. Tapping the challenge image flips the card to reveal the challenge description and the option to submit a photo to complete said challenge.
Main Hub
This is where users can see their active deck challenges and, once teaming up, their team members. Tapping the challenge image flips the card to reveal the challenge description and the option to submit a photo to complete said challenge.
Team Up
Selecting the ‘Team Up’ option from the main hub provides the user with the option to either form a team with their friends and people they’ve travelled with or the option to form a team of new people, matchmade via the app.
Team Up
Selecting the ‘Team Up’ option from the main hub provides the user with the option to either form a team with their friends and people they’ve travelled with or the option to form a team of new people, matchmade via the app.
Team Up
Selecting the ‘Team Up’ option from the main hub provides the user with the option to either form a team with their friends and people they’ve travelled with or the option to form a team of new people, matchmade via the app.
Creating a Team - When choosing to form a team of new people, the app locates other users searching for a team in the nearby area and decides on a meeting point close by to all team members to go and break the ice. This removes the hassle of a group of strangers trying to put these plans into place.
When teaming up with friends instead, the user is provided with a one time code that the other users can put into their own device to join the team and start playing.
Creating a Team - When choosing to form a team of new people, the app locates other users searching for a team in the nearby area and decides on a meeting point close by to all team members to go and break the ice. This removes the hassle of a group of strangers trying to put these plans into place.
When teaming up with friends instead, the user is provided with a one time code that the other users can put into their own device to join the team and start playing.
Creating a Team - When choosing to form a team of new people, the app locates other users searching for a team in the nearby area and decides on a meeting point close by to all team members to go and break the ice. This removes the hassle of a group of strangers trying to put these plans into place.
When teaming up with friends instead, the user is provided with a one time code that the other users can put into their own device to join the team and start playing.
Rewards & Gallery - Rewards from completed decks are stored in their own section and provide teams with access to new experiences at reduced costs to maximise the memories from their trip. When decks are completed, all submitted challenge images are sent to the gallery. This gives the users a permanent way to remember and relive all their adventures.
Rewards & Gallery - Rewards from completed decks are stored in their own section and provide teams with access to new experiences at reduced costs to maximise the memories from their trip. When decks are completed, all submitted challenge images are sent to the gallery. This gives the users a permanent way to remember and relive all their adventures.
Rewards & Gallery - Rewards from completed decks are stored in their own section and provide teams with access to new experiences at reduced costs to maximise the memories from their trip. When decks are completed, all submitted challenge images are sent to the gallery. This gives the users a permanent way to remember and relive all their adventures.
Reflection
Reflection
Airbnb Adventurers was a great way to test my creativity when it came to crafting something new whilst also maintaining a brands' identity. Keeping Airbnb's values and intentions at the forefront of this project was key in ensuring it was convincing and trustworthy. I tried to maintain this in the trailer video and while I think the feel of the video accomplishes this, if I were to do this project again I would fine tune and improve the video much more. Some aspects and transitions of the video fly past too quickly and could potentially leave viewers lost. Overall I believe Airbnb Adventurers achieves its goal of providing people with a way to form meaningful connections and contribute to the much need reduction in loneliness for young people.
Airbnb Adventurers was a great way to test my creativity when it came to crafting something new whilst also maintaining a brands' identity. Keeping Airbnb's values and intentions at the forefront of this project was key in ensuring it was convincing and trustworthy. I tried to maintain this in the trailer video and while I think the feel of the video accomplishes this, if I were to do this project again I would fine tune and improve the video much more. Some aspects and transitions of the video fly past too quickly and could potentially leave viewers lost. Overall I believe Airbnb Adventurers achieves its goal of providing people with a way to form meaningful connections and contribute to the much need reduction in loneliness for young people.