holidaycheck travel wallet

Our journey began with in-depth user research, exploring the existing user journey and identifying pain points. The feedback was clear: users wanted everything they needed for their travels in one place, easily accessible from their phones. Armed with this information, I worked alongside our PM and UX Researcher to create user personas and new journey maps, which became the foundation of our design process.

The first step was creating a clickable prototype using the app’s existing style to test our assumptions. We knew we wanted to create something new and exciting, but testing was essential to ensure we were on the right track. The early tests were promising, but there was still work to be done. Through five iterations, each prototype improved upon user feedback, ensuring that we refined the most critical aspects of the app. This iterative approach allowed us to keep costs and time in check while constantly improving the user experience.

Once we were confident in the direction, we started development on the MVP. A select group of users was given early access to test the Travel Wallet in real-world conditions. During this phase, we addressed minor issues quickly, thanks to the technology used in the project. Simultaneously, I started working on a more polished, final version of the app. My vision was to create a fresh, memorable interface that was modern, visually appealing, and easy to use, using HolidayCheck’s branding colours in a vibrant, engaging way. We moved away from a text-heavy, monotone design to something that prioritised visuals, knowing that users typically engage with images before reading text.

After completing the design of the new app, we tested it with users again, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The app not only met user needs but provided an experience that felt innovative and fun to use.

Conclusion

As product designers, it’s essential to always listen to users and their needs. Every project should have a broader goal, but we must remember that we’re designing for the user, not ourselves. By stepping into the user’s shoes and asking, “Does this look and work the way I, as a user, would expect it to?” we ensure that our designs meet real needs. An iterative process helps us avoid many pitfalls, allowing us to build a better product faster. The redesign of the HolidayCheck app was a success, and the Travel Wallet became a key tool for users, keeping them engaged before, during, and after their travels.