


Wander
Merging photography and exploration into a seamless mobile app experience
I designed an innovative app that blends two dissimilar existing apps in a way that modifies people's behavior. The goal was to take the controls and micro-interactions from each app that best complement each other to make something uniquely useful: 1 + 1 = 3! I also created a first time user experience (FTUE) for this app to ensure successful onboarding and long-term engagement.
SkillS
Empathy
Microinteractions
UX Design
Behavior Modification
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Duration
8 weeks
Course
Behavior: Core IXD Studio
Wander
Merging photography and exploration into a seamless mobile app experience
I designed an innovative app that blends two dissimilar existing apps in a way that modifies people's behavior. The goal was to take the controls and micro-interactions from each app that best complement each other to make something uniquely useful: 1 + 1 = 3! I also created a first time user experience (FTUE) for this app to ensure successful onboarding and long-term engagement.
SkillS
Empathy
Microinteractions
UX Design
Behavior Modification
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Duration
8 weeks
Course
Behavior: Core IXD Studio
Wander
Merging photography and exploration into a seamless mobile app experience
I designed an innovative app that blends two dissimilar existing apps in a way that modifies people's behavior. The goal was to take the controls and micro-interactions from each app that best complement each other to make something uniquely useful: 1 + 1 = 3! I also created a first time user experience (FTUE) for this app to ensure successful onboarding and long-term engagement.
SkillS
Empathy
Microinteractions
UX Design
Behavior Modification
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Duration
8 weeks
Course
Behavior: Core IXD Studio
Role
Role
I was the sole designer and researcher for this college class project.
I was the sole designer and researcher for this college class project.
Design Process
Design Process


FINAL PRODUCT VIDEO
FINAL PRODUCT VIDEO
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
Researching the two mashup parent apps
Researching the two mashup parent apps
I researched and analyzed the parent apps: VSCO and Waze. I searched up their core purposes, features, and user interactions. My goal was to take the best microinteractions and design patterns from each, ensuring they complement each other well in the new app.
I researched and analyzed the parent apps: VSCO and Waze. I searched up their core purposes, features, and user interactions. My goal was to take the best microinteractions and design patterns from each, ensuring they complement each other well in the new app.






Main purpose
Main purpose
Provide navigational assistance, real-time traffic updates, and route optimization to drivers
Provide navigational assistance, real-time traffic updates, and route optimization to drivers
Specializes in creative photo and video editing, doubling as a social platform for users to share their edited visuals
Specializes in creative photo and video editing, doubling as a social platform for users to share their edited visuals
Main target user
Main target user
Individuals who drive regularly, such as daily commuters, long-distance travelers, and anyone seeking efficient and real-time navigation information
Individuals who drive regularly, such as daily commuters, long-distance travelers, and anyone seeking efficient and real-time navigation information
People who love artistic photos and videos and want to express themselves creatively through editing and sharing.
People who love artistic photos and videos and want to express themselves creatively through editing and sharing.
Screenshots
Screenshots






Personality of interaction
Personality of interaction
Playful, friendly
Playful, friendly
Professional, minimal
Professional, minimal
But what are microinteractions?
But what are microinteractions?
I came across a new term in class and learnt how microinteractions are small, subtle changes that happen when the user interacts with a trigger. They convey something to the user, like showing the system is working, preventing mistakes, or adding a bit of the brand’s personality to make the interaction more clear and enjoyable.
I came across a new term in class and learnt how microinteractions are small, subtle changes that happen when the user interacts with a trigger. They convey something to the user, like showing the system is working, preventing mistakes, or adding a bit of the brand’s personality to make the interaction more clear and enjoyable.
Inherited microinteractions
Inherited microinteractions
Map
Map
Location search
Location search
Navigation
Navigation
Clicking on other users cars will become clicking on locations that have been marked as photographic by other users
Clicking on other users cars will become clicking on locations that have been marked as photographic by other users
Photo editing tools
Photo editing tools
Community space to join and share photos
Community space to join and share photos
Discover photos clicked by other people (and the locations the photos were clicked in)
Discover photos clicked by other people (and the locations the photos were clicked in)
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
What am I solving for?
What am I solving for?
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
How might we help photography enthusiasts in their community deal with discovering and capturing beautiful moments?
How might we help photography enthusiasts in their community deal with discovering and capturing beautiful moments?
THE SOLUTION
THE SOLUTION
Explore. Navigate. Create — Wander
Explore. Navigate. Create — Wander
Wander is a handy tool for photography enthusiasts to easily discover scenic spots shared by fellow enthusiasts, navigate seamlessly, and capture beautiful moments creatively.
Wander is a handy tool for photography enthusiasts to easily discover scenic spots shared by fellow enthusiasts, navigate seamlessly, and capture beautiful moments creatively.
DESIGN
DESIGN
What will the app look like?
What will the app look like?
Before making the app, I used storyboards and moodboards to guide the content and visuals for the screens.
Before making the app, I used storyboards and moodboards to guide the content and visuals for the screens.
STORYBOARD
STORYBOARD
The storyboard helped guide what screens are most appropriate and need to be designed to convey the app's core functionality and use cases.
The storyboard helped guide what screens are most appropriate and need to be designed to convey the app's core functionality and use cases.



MOODBOARD
MOODBOARD
For idea on what the app should look like, I created a moodboard with elements from both the apps. The colors and playful visuals from Waze and the sophisticated and dark aesthetic of VSCO.
For idea on what the app should look like, I created a moodboard with elements from both the apps. The colors and playful visuals from Waze and the sophisticated and dark aesthetic of VSCO.



DESIGN SYSTEM
DESIGN SYSTEM
The moodboard guided the final design system where I decided to change some of the minor elements like the typography.
The moodboard guided the final design system where I decided to change some of the minor elements like the typography.



PROTOTYPING
PROTOTYPING
Ideation
Ideation
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
LO-FI PROTOTYPE
LO-FI PROTOTYPE
I created the first few screens to get an idea of what elements will be borrowed form both the parent apps.
I created the first few screens to get an idea of what elements will be borrowed form both the parent apps.



What is the desired outcome?
What is the desired outcome?
Since this project was from the behavior class. We applied the behavior theory to make sure the app motivated the intended behavior. This is a super-useful concept to remember for making sure the app is a hit!
Since this project was from the behavior class. We applied the behavior theory to make sure the app motivated the intended behavior. This is a super-useful concept to remember for making sure the app is a hit!
B (behavior occurs when) = MAP (motivation, ability, and prompt come together at the same time)
Wander improves both motivation and ability by makes photography more fun by bringing people together, helping them explore exciting places, and simplifying ways to be creative with photos.
B (behavior occurs when) = MAP (motivation, ability, and prompt come together at the same time)
Wander improves both motivation and ability by makes photography more fun by bringing people together, helping them explore exciting places, and simplifying ways to be creative with photos.
FOGG BEHAVIOR MODEL
FOGG BEHAVIOR MODEL



Wander improves both motivation + ability
Wander improves both motivation + ability
Makes photography more fun by bringing people together, helping them explore exciting places, and simplifying ways to be creative with photos.
Makes photography more fun by bringing people together, helping them explore exciting places, and simplifying ways to be creative with photos.
Final prototype
Final prototype
The part where my idea really comes to life! I designed the app screens, putting the moodboard to use and using the microinteractions research to make sure the app accomodates both the parent apps personality in some way. I also made an animated the video to advertise the app.
The part where my idea really comes to life! I designed the app screens, putting the moodboard to use and using the microinteractions research to make sure the app accomodates both the parent apps personality in some way. I also made an animated the video to advertise the app.
Click to see video



FTUE
FTUE
What is a first time user experience (FTUE)?
What is a first time user experience (FTUE)?
As the name suggests it is the first time the user interacts with the product and it is necessary to create a good impression and also hook the user to make sure they come back.
As the name suggests it is the first time the user interacts with the product and it is necessary to create a good impression and also hook the user to make sure they come back.
And who is this experience for?
And who is this experience for?
To understand who the first time users for Wander potentially could be, I focused on one persona. Her name is Lila. She is a photography enthusiast who loves exploring and capturing beautiful moments.
To understand who the first time users for Wander potentially could be, I focused on one persona. Her name is Lila. She is a photography enthusiast who loves exploring and capturing beautiful moments.
Here are the general traits of the target first time users:
Here are the general traits of the target first time users:


DEMOGRAPHIC
DEMOGRAPHIC
Young adults (18-26)
Young adults (18-26)
INTERESTS
INTERESTS
#Photography📸
#Travel✈️
#Explore🗺️
#Photography📸
#Travel✈️
#Explore🗺️
GOALS
GOALS
🔍 new photography spots.
Connect 🔗 with fellow photographers.
Improve 📷 skills.
🔍 new photography spots.
Connect 🔗 with fellow photographers.
Improve 📷 skills.
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
🔍 inspiration and 🧭 easily.
Balance hobby with studies 📚📚📚.
🔍 inspiration and 🧭 easily.
Balance hobby with studies 📚📚📚.
And where is this FTUE likely to occur?
And where is this FTUE likely to occur?
I thought of three ways the photography enthusiasts might use Wander:
I thought of three ways the photography enthusiasts might use Wander:
Has extra time
Has extra time
Goes out every weekend
Goes out every weekend
Uses instagram for inspiration
Uses instagram for inspiration
But what will trigger the user to download the app?
But what will trigger the user to download the app?
The app’s appeal to users like Lila would be triggered through social media and word-of-mouth, with influencers sharing their discoveries from Wander, and friends recommending it for its unique features.
The app’s appeal to users like Lila would be triggered through social media and word-of-mouth, with influencers sharing their discoveries from Wander, and friends recommending it for its unique features.
Social Media
Social Media
Influencers that Lila follows post content from the app
Influencers that Lila follows post content from the app
Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth
Close friends/ family shares seeing interesting places on the app
Close friends/ family shares seeing interesting places on the app
PROTOTYPING & ANIMATING
PROTOTYPING & ANIMATING
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
To challenge myself to design for people I don’t relate to I choose my target audience as: photography enthusiasts. The context being when photography enthusiasts are exploring or taking unexpected trips, they often struggle to find both stunning locations and easy navigation. They often have to switch between different apps for navigation, location discovery, and photo sharing.
Introduction to Wander
Introduction to Wander
When the user opens the app, they are prompted to become a Wanderer by sharing their mobile number.
Most people tend to skip sharing contact information when they haven't tried the app yet. Next step is to get their location so that the photographic spots around them can be shared.
When the user opens the app, they are prompted to become a Wanderer by sharing their mobile number.
Most people tend to skip sharing contact information when they haven't tried the app yet. Next step is to get their location so that the photographic spots around them can be shared.
Investment: Location permission
Investment: Location permission
Navigate Mode
Navigate Mode
When the user first opens the app, they get a tutorial. It starts by introducing the features of Navigate Mode- where they can explore photography spots.
When the user first opens the app, they get a tutorial. It starts by introducing the features of Navigate Mode- where they can explore photography spots.
Nudging users to sign up to be a Wanderer
Nudging users to sign up to be a Wanderer
The member-only feature requires them to become a Wanderer. The user signs up with their mobile number.
The app uses multiple variable rewards in the form of in-app awards and recognitions.
The member-only feature requires them to become a Wanderer. The user signs up with their mobile number.
The app uses multiple variable rewards in the form of in-app awards and recognitions.
Investment: Contact information
Investment: Contact information
Variable reward: Gained access to member-only content
Variable reward: Gained access to member-only content
End of tutorial
End of tutorial
To avoid overwhelming the user with tutorials. The tutorial ends with telling them where to access the tutorial later.
To avoid overwhelming the user with tutorials. The tutorial ends with telling them where to access the tutorial later.
Studio Mode
Studio Mode
The user explores studio mode on their own, earning more variable rewards and invests more by allowing push notifications.
The user explores studio mode on their own, earning more variable rewards and invests more by allowing push notifications.
Investment: Notification permission
Investment: Notification permission
Variable reward: In-app award/ recognition
Variable reward: In-app award/ recognition
How do we nudge the user to use the app again?
How do we nudge the user to use the app again?
By adding external triggers I remind the user of the app, making them open the app again.
By adding external triggers I remind the user of the app, making them open the app again.
Variable Rewords: Notifications
Variable Rewords: Notifications
Activity in followed/joined spaces
Activity in followed/joined spaces
Likes on uploaded photos
Likes on uploaded photos
Follow requests
Follow requests


1 week later. Lila plans for another trip over the weekend and remembers Wander. She notices that the app has also pushed a notification:
1 week later. Lila plans for another trip over the weekend and remembers Wander. She notices that the app has also pushed a notification:


Examples of possible notification triggers.
Examples of possible notification triggers.
How do we measure success of the first time experience?
How do we measure success of the first time experience?
Who doesn’t like knowing how successful they are in their goals? To see that the FTUE is successful I would need to measure the following:
Who doesn’t like knowing how successful they are in their goals? To see that the FTUE is successful I would need to measure the following:
# app downloads
# app downloads
# navigations completed
# navigations completed
# spaces joined/ followed
# spaces joined/ followed
# photos uploaded / liked
# photos uploaded / liked
FINAL THOUGHTS
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case study shows how design, behavior theory, and micro-interactions can combine to create a product that resonates with its target audience and encourages ongoing use. By creating a product that is more than just the sum of its parts, I learned how to deliver a thoughtful and effective user experience.
This case study shows how design, behavior theory, and micro-interactions can combine to create a product that resonates with its target audience and encourages ongoing use. By creating a product that is more than just the sum of its parts, I learned how to deliver a thoughtful and effective user experience.
Importance of knowing the underlying context of use
Importance of knowing the underlying context of use
This project taught me the importance of understanding the user’s context and crafting experiences that not only engage but also resonate with their passions. From the other presentations in my behavior class, I learned how different behavioral models can be applied to various contexts to influence user behavior effectively.
This project taught me the importance of understanding the user’s context and crafting experiences that not only engage but also resonate with their passions. From the other presentations in my behavior class, I learned how different behavioral models can be applied to various contexts to influence user behavior effectively.
Creating a good first time experience
Creating a good first time experience
Learned what information should be considered when creating FTUE; it is good to understand from where the user is coming to the app from and what they are looking for to help them stay/ use the app again.
Learned what information should be considered when creating FTUE; it is good to understand from where the user is coming to the app from and what they are looking for to help them stay/ use the app again.
Different behavioral models
Different behavioral models
From the other classmates’ presentations, I learned the different behavioral models applied to different contexts.
From the other classmates’ presentations, I learned the different behavioral models applied to different contexts.