A Happy Ski Trip for Everyone
-How I designed a mobile-web app for ski lovers
Role
UX design, UI design
Time
5 weeks
Team
Solo project
Stats
Side project
Background
Overview
Planning a ski trip can be a daunting task, as it involves balancing the diverse preferences and schedules of group members. From my own experiences, ski vacations often feel unnecessarily costly and inefficient, with a lot of time wasted searching for or waiting on others due to differing priorities.
These challenges can create stress and detract from the enjoyment of the trip. This project seeks to address these issues by offering a solution that simplifies coordination and fosters a more cohesive and enjoyable group experience on the slopes.
Design Process
Problems
Challenges
Problem Statement
How might we ensure the enjoyment of a group ski trip to cater to varying skill levels, ensuring a cohesive experience for every participant?
Solution Preview
Feature 1: Discover ski resorts & plan a trip
Users can access on desktop and mobile to plan a great trip. Look for ideal resorts and activities out there.
Feature 2: Real-time locations & itinerary reminders
Users can view others' locations on the slope and receive reminders for upcoming events.
Feature 3: Explore trails & track performance
Users can track their performance and monitor improvements.
Research
Interviews & Secondary Research
Skiing is popular in North America, often in groups
Skiing is popular in Canada, with many enthusiasts. After reviewing financial reports, government documents, and academic papers, I interviewed three skiers to understand their challenges.
Research Insights
Two distinctive types of skiers in the same group
The findings show that skiers have diverse needs, shaped by factors like skill level, preferences, age, and more. Some focus on refining their techniques, while others prioritize relaxation and the overall travel experience.
Journey map
How do the Sims family feel
Active skiers are most excited during the skiing stage, while passive skiers are most enthusiastic about après-ski events.
Reframe Problem
Redefined Problem
How might we arrange and execute a successful trip that caters to the interests and preferences of all group members?
Ideation
How to ensure a successful trip
Based on thorough research and analysis, I considered all the situations where people might need assistance and developed features tailored to address those needs.
Features
Discover ski resorts & plan your trip
Real-time reminders & itinerary reminders
Explore ski trails & track your performance
Design Process
Feature 1 Wireframing
Plan out a trip with fun activities
Users can explore ski resorts, discover activities, and create an itinerary to manage their schedule. Everyone can add events they enjoy.
Search for ski resorts and add popular activities to an itinerary on desktop
Feature 1 Prototyping
Search for ski resorts and making an itinerary
Feature 1 Testing
Users also need access from phones
Although desktop makes it easier to plan out a trip, I found users usually plan the trip with others, and they need to share it and sometimes view on mobile as well.
Testing Insight
More people join trip planning and they need more flexible access
Feature 1 Iteration
Add a mobile app
Problem
Team users need cross-device collaboration for trip planning
Solutions
Enable mobile accessibility for seamless collaboration
Feature 2 Wireframing
Stay connected in the trip
On the slopes, the app lets users download offline maps, share locations, stay updated on events, and get navigation, minimizing disruptions.
Feature 2 Prototyping
Feature 2 Testing
Need more clear layout for itinerary
I noticed that itinerary can go very long, and the space is not enough. Users need a more clear itinerary layout.
Testing Insight
Users are confused by activities and schedules
Feature 2 Iteration
Maintaining progress awareness
Problem
Users are confused about the event and plan progress
Solutions
Use list and map views for clearer event progress
Feature 3 Wireframing
Improve skills with stats
Users can preview trails, track runs, store data, and call for emergency help. This benefits advanced skiers improving skills and beginners progressing safely.
Feature 3 Prototyping
Feature 3 Testing
Testing: They like it a lot :)
Everyone seems like this feature and think that is very helpful wth skill improvement.
Takeaways
Learnings
Empathizing users with their goals
Gaining insight into users' core motivations helped to pinpoint their needs and challenges more effectively. Throughout the design, remember to keep asking why and understand the intention behind the words and actions.
Crafting benefits for all
Tailoring features to cater to the unique needs of diverse users enhances coordination. However, it is never easy, articulating their priorities and highlighting the gaps can be immensely beneficial. Striking the right balance between group and individual benefits is the key to unlocking greater value.
Balancing information density
Balancing the delivery of essential information while avoiding overload in a challenging environment was a primary focus. As a designer, it is crucial to constantly consider the trade-off between readability and glanceability.