Outdoor Adventure App
Promoting Active Lifestyles
As a Graphic Designer with an interest in building data-driven experiences, I helped design a cross-platform mobile app for adventurers and athletes to connect based on shared interests.
Problem Statement
Outdoor enthusiasts were looking for a way to connect seamlessly; they sought a platform that encouraged the prioritization of real-world activity over extended screen time.
Team Composition
2 Product Managers
1 Graphic Designer
Team of Software Engineers
Stakeholders and Users
My Impact
Ideated with the team on features
Incorporated iterative feedback
Shipped a 0-1 app as a designer
Provided branding and marketing
Pivoting to Product Design
Advocacy & Representation
Through this project, I embraced the responsibilities and expectations of a Product Designer. Engaging with users, aligning with stakeholders, and working in tandem with the team, I navigated this new path and benefited from continuous learning.
As a Graphic Designer who was working on marketing and proposal assets for private enterprises, I was happy to dive into the world of designing and shipping a mobile app experience for athletes and adventurers. From the onset, the team that I worked with was enthusiastic about the idea of creating a new experience from scratch that leveraged common product development practices and utilized our combined skills across design, marketing, and project management.
We conceptualized a mobile application as a social hub for enthusiasts of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, bouldering, and kayaking. The goal of the app was to motivate, involve, and help members of active communities put down their phones and get back outdoors.
From Ideation to Prototypes
The team visualized a space where an adventurer could set up a unique profile that would be a digital showcase of their outdoor passions and media, indicating activities they love, and even rating their expertise level for each. By enabling skill levels on a sliding scale, the app could suggest connections with similar abilities; enthusiasts and professionals could use the app to their advantage, and find new connections easily. We introduced integrations with other social media apps so users could discover friends and acquaintances who shared their adventurous spirit.
Design Systems & Standards
I created the basis for the design system by focusing on UI elements on mobile viewports, and their interaction patterns as they relate to human-interface guidelines.
Using Adobe XD, I prototyped the app's interface and feature requests, ensuring that the user experience was intuitive, and unlocking the ability to iterate to find product-market fit. I leveraged common app components (navigation bars, tabs, action sheets, alerts, and stateful experiences) to present a set of initial pages to iterate upon. Through gathering feedback, I delivered a refined interface and experience.
Continuous Improvements via Iterations
As we rolled out early versions of the prototypes to a select group of users, the team garnered insights that we used to improve functionality and adjust the product roadmap for new feature development. Stakeholders, with their unique perspectives on the app's business and strategic goals, provided invaluable feedback that was instrumental in aligning the app with broader objectives. I was privy to conversations, but my scope was limited to focusing on the interface and less concerned with strategy, at that time.
Lesson Learned
Thinking apps like Strava for runners, AllTrails for hiking, or Surfline for surfing… have a particular or niche audience that they cater to. As these products grow, they have the option to loop in similar audiences or create new product lines to realize revenue. Paring down features and users helps find product-market fit.
Handoff and Beyond
After months of design, iteration, and refinement, we reached a milestone—the handoff to offshore developers. Entrusting our designs to an overseas development team required meticulous documentation and specifications. I helped detail the interactions, animations, components, assets, and user flows for a smooth transition and to reduce the number of outstanding questions from the team. The team used TestFlight to ship versions of the app that the team then downloaded and QC’ed to ensure there was parity from the designs to reality.
Process Improvement
I learned a lot about how to think through design processes and how an iterative approach can lead to successful interaction patterns and reduced pain from users.
Throughout the project, I was the designer in charge of the app’s interface and providing the tools for handoff. In addition, I established brand guidelines detailing the visual and messaging approach, alongside the logo’s design and usage. As a multifaceted designer, I helped produce a promotional reel that highlighted the app and created a marketing website that narrated the app’s features and urged visitors to join the community.
The Impact of the App
The app was officially launched for both iOS and Android and through the marketing efforts of the Founders, they saw a high user adoption rate that validated our collective efforts. The app's reception was positive and provided a platform to build upon. As more adventurers discovered the app, they found in it a platform that genuinely understood and catered to their outdoor passions. Through this endeavor, we learned the power of purpose-driven design and the impact it can have on fostering genuine connections for adventurers and athletes, alike.
Outcomes and Results
The app was an important milestone in my career, allowing me to participate in shipping a consumer social app and working with cross-functional teams and users. The app helped facilitate global connections among outdoor enthusiasts and provided a basis for the Founders to seek financing through validation and product-market fit.
Disclaimer: Work shown was created while employed at Breck Inc. Header image from Unsplash.
