Ecommerce Website

A compact travel guide for exploring Stellenbosch’s architecture and culture.

What was done:

Research

Concept Development

Wireframing

High-Fidelity Prototypes

Prototype Folding

Role:

Product Designer (UX/UI)

Tools:

Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Figma

Timeline:

4 weeks

Team:

Solo Project

Design Thinking Process guides this project through Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test & Iterate to create user-centered solutions.

Goal

Create a compact travel guide that helps users explore Stellenbosch on foot, highlighting its architecture, galleries, museums, and local eateries in an intuitive and engaging way.

Methods

Research included on-site exploration, mapping of walking routes, and analysis of architectural and cultural landmarks. This provided both functional and experiential insights into how visitors navigate and engage with the town.

Insights

Users want clear directions, concise information, and a visually appealing format that fits in a pocket. Personalized highlights and intuitive wayfinding are key to making the sightseeing experience effortless and enjoyable.

Problem Statement

Visitors to Stellenbosch want to explore the town’s architecture, galleries, and eateries on foot, but find it difficult to plan an efficient route and identify key points of interest. They need a compact, intuitive guide that highlights must-see locations and makes navigation easy.

Goals

Simplify route planning and exploration with a clear, intuitive layout.

Make discovering landmarks, galleries, and cafes seamless and easy to follow.

Provide personalized highlights and suggestions based on interests.

Ensure the guide is compact, portable, and easy to use on the go.

Deliverables

High-fidelity screens were created to cover all key flows, including route planning, points of interest, and personalized recommendations. Interactive prototypes allowed early testing of navigation and usability, while a component library ensured visual consistency across the guide.

“The interface is clean, intuitive, and designed to make exploring Stellenbosch effortless. Visual cues and markers were added to enhance trust, engagement, and user confidence.”

Kendall Drake, Product Designer (UX/UI)

Design That Moves People: Key Insights and Outcomes

Early research and usability testing uncovered hidden motivations and subtle frustrations in exploring the city on foot. By addressing these needs, the guide was refined to feel intuitive, trustworthy, and personalized for different visitor types.

The results were measurable: users followed routes more efficiently, and feedback showed improved clarity and confidence throughout the experience. This project reinforced that thoughtful, user-centered design is about guiding users effectively, not just presenting information.

Method

Tested with 6 participants on onboarding, route navigation, and points of interest.

Findings

Flows were clear, but users wanted better guidance on stops and landmarks.

Iteration

Updated markers, descriptions, and layout for easier navigation.