AIRBNB has changed how we travel. The idea is simple: belong anywhere you go and connect to unique travel experiences. On the flipside, it's also a way to share their abodes and properties with an audience of millions from around the world.

 

Problem

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF YOUR TRIP? Activities? The list of to-dos? That hidden landmark you don't want to miss? At time of design, the app had no way to find, plan, or keep track of everything else that happens on your trip. I mean, hey, that loft is pretty fly, but you're probably not going to stay there the whole time. 

Solution

SIMPLIFY PLANNING + LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION without disrupting the ease and simplicity that the app already offers for the lodging side of things. Design a way to create, plan, and organize -- whether you start with lodging or things to do (and even set up reminders at that). 

My Role

RESEARCH / INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE / STRATEGY / WIREFRAMES / VISUAL DESIGN. I had the pleasure of working with two stellar UX colleagues on this project, Sue Candelier and Brittany Richter. Our workflow was highly collaborative throughout all stages of the UX process. 

TURNS OUT PEOPLE TRAVEL IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS. We thought it, research confirmed it. Whatever we designed had to enhance the experience for all sides of the spectrum -- from the spontaneous, happen-upon-things type to the checklist-and-schedule type.  

TECH INTRUSION / INCLUSION IS A POLARIZING ENTITY. Some want it invisible until they need it; others want it on all the time. Again, our app had to be flexible enough to provide just what travelers want without cluttering the experience. 

PLANS FOR A TRIP DON'T ALWAYS START WITH LODGING. Now Airbnb's app organizes trips only by lodging that's booked. But what happens if you want to start organizing your trip based on a few breweries you want to see?

• 38 years old, graphic designer
• Likes to make a list of things to do but be spontaneous about when to do them while on trip
• Uses KAYAK, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Evernote, and AirBNB 
• Travels at least 1-2X per year 
• FRUSTRATION: Feels like she has to flip between apps all the time -- both in planning and on trip
• DESIRE: Wishes she could keep a running list of things and sites to see and know if she's close by while wandering

"I just wish I could throw all the stuff I want to check out in one place! I like to be spontaneous but have a list of things I want to do, but it's so hard to keep track."

1. START ADDING ITEMS TO YOUR TRIP AT ANY POINT - EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T BOOKED LODGING YET. Rather than having to write down notes elsewhere, just add anything you find to a new upcoming trip -- even if you haven't booked lodging yet. Just add to your new trip (or existing one) from within the item itself -- whether it's lodging or a brewery you want to see. 

 

2. BROWSE THINGS TO DO WHILE BROWSING PLACES TO STAY. You never know which one will hatch the other. 

 

3. UPCOMING TRIPS NEEDS A SECTION TO ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES AND TO-DOS YOU'VE FOUND. Keep track of everything you've added to that trip, from lodging to that brewery that is top of mind. 

 

4. BE SPONTANEOUS OR FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE; THE APP WILL REMIND YOU OF YOUR PLANS HOWEVER YOU WANT. Is it based on schedule? Proximity to a landmark in case you happen to walk by? Regardless of how you organize your to-do list or your schedule, the app should be able to alert you exactly how you want so you can wander free of worry of missing that landmark (or so that you can be sure you don't get off schedule if you're that type of traveler, too).