Campanion

An app created for beginner campers to help minimize trial and error.

Industry

Outdoor Recreation

Client

Certification Program

Service

App Design

Date

June 2022

My Role

Product Designer

UI Designer

UX Researcher

Deliverables Shown

User Flow

Wireframes

High Fidelity Mockups

Team

1 Designer

Song

cats in the cold - mage tears

Overview

Campanion is an app that focuses on helping beginner campers throughout their camping journey from start to finish.

The idea for this capstone project came to me when a friend asked me what she would need for her first camping trip. Both she and I didn't grow up camping with our families, but I had been going camping more often. When she asked I thought to myself "I'm still a beginner. I've made so many mistakes. How did I learn how to camp?".

There were a multitude of resources I used that couldn't be simplified into one statement, let alone a quick text message. From there the only logical solution was to, of course, create an app for it.

Utilization of thee Double Diamond design process allowed for a structured approach to problem-solving where I could emphasize divergent and convergent thinking through four phases.

Discover

Conducted surveys and interviews with potential users to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points when discussing the creation of a camping app for beginners

Analyzed popular camping/recreational apps and websites to identify gaps in the market and opportunities for differentiation.

Key Insights

  • Users wanted a personalized experience as if they were learning from a family member.

  • A list of essentials, low-budget camping gear options, and safety tips were top needs

  • Simplified and intuitive interfaces were preferred over complex and feature-heavy designs.

Define

Developed detailed personas representing different types of users, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced campers.

Created journey maps and user flows to visualize the user experience from onboarding to full preparation for a camping trip, identifying key touchpoints and potential pain points.

Develop

Created low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to visualize the app’s layout and user interface.

Developed interactive prototypes using tools like Figma to test the flow and functionality of the app.

Conducted usability tests with potential users to gather feedback on the prototypes, focusing on ease of use, navigation, and overall experience.

Iterations

Based on user feedback, several iterations of the prototype were developed, refining features like meal-prepping suggestions, item lists, and safety tips. Integrating these insights helped prioritize which features should be easily accessible within the app's navigation. It was from this that further iterations occurred and a bottom navigation bar was an essential addition to the interface.

Branding

Above is a quick look into some of the visual elements that inspired the UI and branding of the app. Accessibility regarding color contrast was a high priority when crafting the color palette.

Final Result

Using the Double Diamond Design Process provided a structured and effective approach to creating a camping app that met user needs. The emphasis on research and iterative design ensured that the final product was both user-friendly and feature-rich.

This case study demonstrates the value of the Double Diamond Design Process in developing user-centered digital solutions, highlighting its ability to guide designers from initial discovery to successful delivery.

Reflection

When I designed this app two years ago I was proud of the work that I accomplished. Upon reflection, I was able to see the difference in my design capabilities due to the work experience I've acquired. I made a few visual updates while still keeping the integrity of the project intact. It felt like an experience of metamorphosis for lack of a better term.

Melting gracefully in Phoenix, Arizona

© 2024 Destinee Hurd

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