case study: Academic UX Design Challenge

Wayfarer

Designing a travel platform that feels as exciting as the trip itself.

MY ROLE

UX Designer

TIMELINE

6 weeks

TOOLS

Figma

SKILLS

UX Strategy, UI Design, Prototyping, Wireframing, Responsive Design

“People don’t always know where they want to go.

They know how they want to feel.”

THE STRATEGY

My goal was to create a cohesive travel experience that combined visual storytelling with intuitive navigation, resulting in brand identity and interface that encouraged exploration while making trip planning feel approachable.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Wayfarer was a UX design challenge completed as part of the Designlab UX Academy Foundations program. Students were provided with a fictional travel company and asked to design a responsive digital experience from the ground up.

Many travel platforms expect users to know exactly where they want to go before they begin planning. This project explored how a more personalized discovery experience could help travelers move from inspiration to destination with greater confidence.

DESIGN SYSTEM

The design system was built to create a cohesive, approachable travel experience that balances visual storytelling with usability across desktop and mobile devices.

Logo

Typography

* Inter was selected for its clean, modern aesthetic and exceptional readability across desktop and mobile experiences. Its simplicity supports intuitive navigation while allowing the immersive imagery to remain the primary visual focus.

Colors

* Inspired by the colors of the ocean and sunlit landscapes, the palette combines vibrant blues, teals, and warm neutrals to create a bright, welcoming experience. The high-saturation colors reinforce a sense of adventure while complementing the destination photography and reinforcing Wayfarer's optimistic brand personality.

UI Components

KEY SCREENS

Homepage - Large desktop mockup

  • Inspires exploration through immersive photography

  • Prominent search encourages multiple discovery paths

  • Destination cards provide quick visual comparison

Personalized Quiz - Large phone mockups

  • Multi-step flow reduces cognitive load

  • Preference-based recommendations

  • Progressive disclosure

REFLECTION

Designing Wayfarer taught me how powerful storytelling and structure are in digital experiences. This project strengthened my ability to think strategically about user needs, brand identity, and how every interaction contributes to the overall experience.