Host Tree

Making travel optimized for experiencing things, locally

OVERVIEW

HostTree is a booking platform designed to immerse travelers in authentic cultural experiences through the eyes of local residents

This project was developed during a three-day sprint as part of my Visual Design course in Human-Computer Interaction, sponsored by Kingsborough Community College

As the sole product designer, I led the entire process of user research and design from start to finish

Timeline

Oct 2023

Tools

Figma

Notion

Google Suite

Miro

Team

1 Product Designer

Skills

User Interface Design

User Research

WCAG 2.1

SCOPE

There is a noticeable gap in services tailored for booking immersive homestays with local residents

Current platforms offering homestay options often lack the breadth of booking choices and detailed information required

Some of the relevant requirements and goals kept in mind….

Seeing through local perspectives

Focusing on crafting experiences that offer travelers a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of local residents

Catering to Diverse Traveler Identities

Recognizing the varied needs of solo adventurers, families, and friend groups, I aimed to design a platform that accommodates these diverse identities

All while maintaining an immersive and personalized travel experience

RESEARCH

This set the stage for me to uncover answers from users

Survey Research

Conducted with 42 participants to uncover insights into travel experiences

Competitive Analysis

Analyzed one direct competitor and one indirect competitor refine unique value propositions

INSIGHTS

Discovering authentic local recommendations remains a challenging and time-consuming task

"An enjoyable travel experience is one where I don't have to worry too much about where to go next. I find that time can be wasted when plans are not made ahead of the trip"

Image of sticky note of participant feedback

"It can also be difficult to find good authentic food recommendations since most websites will refer you to a tourist trap."

When planning a trip, the biggest challenge isn't booking accommodations—it’s deciding what to do

I found that sifting through countless resources for local recommendations is often inefficient and frustrating

Personas and user stories helped synthesize key insights from my primary target groups

Story#1: As an avid traveler, I want to effortlessly plan trips that include locally recommended experiences, ensuring I can create and share unforgettable memories with my friends and family

Story #2: As a travel enthusiast, I want to discover the best activities recommended by locals at my destination, ensuring a fun, insightful, and stress-free travel experience

EXPLORATION

The most impactful design concepts were curated listings of experiences and activities, locally guided tours, and veritable user reviews

Crowdsourced Reviews: Real-Time Insights from Fellow Travelers

This verifiable, crowd-sourced feedback ensures an efficient and reliable way to plan meaningful experiences

Stress-Free Travel with Curated, Locally Guided Tours

The platform connects travelers with accredited homestay hosts who offer guided tours—ranging from relaxing day trips to immersive, multi-day adventures

Personalized Experiences and Activities for Every Group

Curated activity cards offer options not only for solo travelers and couples but also for larger groups of friends and families who may prefer more diverse experiences

REFLECTION

Exploring Advanced Prototyping Features

Discover enhanced prototyping capabilities that incorporate user-generated activities, enabling potential collaboration with fellow travelers

Testing, Testing, and More Testing

Conduct early-stage testing using low-fidelity designs and sketches to refine feature priorities effectively