Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem
Hidden Gem
Role
Role
Sole Designer and Creator
Sole Designer and Creator
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Figma Make
Chat GPT
UX Pilot
Project Overview
Project Overview
Making it easier to plan and discover new experiences
Making it easier to plan and discover new experiences
Hidden Gem is an app that helps people find local restaurants, shops, and events that match their interests. It offers personalized recommendations based on mood, distance, and budget.
Hidden Gem is an app that helps people find local restaurants, shops, and events that match their interests. It offers personalized recommendations based on mood, distance, and budget.
Planning outings is often overwhelming due to indecision and busy schedules, and people jump between multiple tools to discover and organize activities. Hidden Gem fills the gap by giving users one place to explore options, coordinate with friends, and turn plans into real outings.
Planning outings is often overwhelming due to indecision and busy schedules, and people jump between multiple tools to discover and organize activities. Hidden Gem fills the gap by giving users one place to explore options, coordinate with friends, and turn plans into real outings.
The Current Space
The Current Space
Finding new experiences should feel exciting, not overwhelming
Finding new experiences should feel exciting, not overwhelming
Endless recommendations across social media, blogs, and review sites make discovery feel scattered and stressful. People want to try new places but get stuck navigating indecision, too many tools, and busy schedules. Hidden Gem brings inspiration, planning, and follow-through into one place so the process feels simple and enjoyable again.
Endless recommendations across social media, blogs, and review sites make discovery feel scattered and stressful. People want to try new places but get stuck navigating indecision, too many tools, and busy schedules. Hidden Gem brings inspiration, planning, and follow-through into one place so the process feels simple and enjoyable again.
SO WHAT?
SO WHAT?
To help people actually follow through on plans, Hidden Gem needs to bridge the gap between discovery and action
To help people actually follow through on plans, Hidden Gem needs to bridge the gap between discovery and action
Recommendations alone are not enough. Hidden Gem focuses on reducing friction, saving time, and giving users a clear path from browsing to planning so ideas turn into real outings instead of abandoned conversations.
Recommendations alone are not enough. Hidden Gem focuses on reducing friction, saving time, and giving users a clear path from browsing to planning so ideas turn into real outings instead of abandoned conversations.
THE SOLUTION
THE SOLUTION
Designing a smoother and more social way to discover, organize, and enjoy experiences
Designing a smoother and more social way to discover, organize, and enjoy experiences
RESEARCH
Research focused on understanding how people discover, plan, and follow through on experiences
Research focused on understanding how people discover, plan, and follow through on experiences
To inform the concept and design direction, I conducted user interviews and surveys to learn how people find new places, make plans, and coordinate with friends. These insights shaped the app’s core features and highlighted opportunities to simplify decision-making and follow-through.
To inform the concept and design direction, I conducted user interviews and surveys to learn how people find new places, make plans, and coordinate with friends. These insights shaped the app’s core features and highlighted opportunities to simplify decision-making and follow-through.
AI tools supported early research by helping refine and clarify interview and survey questions, ensuring they were easy for participants to understand and aligned with what I needed to learn.
AI tools supported early research by helping refine and clarify interview and survey questions, ensuring they were easy for participants to understand and aligned with what I needed to learn.
Key Research Goals
Key Research Goals
Understand how people discover new places and experiences
Identify pain points in planning and following through on outings
Explore how groups coordinate plans and make decisions together
Determine what motivates users to take action instead of only browsing
User Interviews
User Interviews
User interviews showed that people struggle to coordinate, make decisions, and follow through on plans
User interviews showed that people struggle to coordinate, make decisions, and follow through on plans
Through six interviews, I explored how people discover new places and turn ideas into outings. Most relied on social media for inspiration but rarely followed through because posts were forgotten, screenshots got buried, and planning felt overwhelming. The biggest blockers were coordinating schedules, deciding as a group, and keeping track of options.
Through six interviews, I explored how people discover new places and turn ideas into outings. Most relied on social media for inspiration but rarely followed through because posts were forgotten, screenshots got buried, and planning felt overwhelming. The biggest blockers were coordinating schedules, deciding as a group, and keeping track of options.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Many people rely on social media to discover new experiences:
Posts are frequently sent to friends but people rarely go to these places as they forget or lose the posts
Some participants take screenshots of places but lose them in their camera rolls
Frustrations:
Difficulty coordinating schedules
Indecisiveness - too many options make it difficult to decide on what to do as a group
Making decisions based on people’s needs and preferences such as budget, time, location, distance, and interests
Many factors impact how users create plans:
Budget, transportation, distance, schedules, reviews, images and videos, and interests
Many people rely on social media to discover new experiences:
Posts are frequently sent to friends but people rarely go to these places as they forget or lose the posts
Some participants take screenshots of places but lose them in their camera rolls
Frustrations:
Difficulty coordinating schedules
Indecisiveness - too many options make it difficult to decide on what to do as a group
Making decisions based on people’s needs and preferences such as budget, time, location, distance, and interests
Many factors impact how users create plans:
Budget, transportation, distance, schedules, reviews, images and videos, and interests
Surveys
Surveys
A survey with over 50 participants revealed common behaviors, preferences, and barriers around planning experiences
A survey with over 50 participants revealed common behaviors, preferences, and barriers around planning experiences
To deepen insights from interviews, I ran a survey to understand why plans fall through, how people currently plan outings, and what factors shape their decisions. The results highlight trends in discovery, planning tools, and the biggest blockers to taking action.
To deepen insights from interviews, I ran a survey to understand why plans fall through, how people currently plan outings, and what factors shape their decisions. The results highlight trends in discovery, planning tools, and the biggest blockers to taking action.
What is the most common reason plans don’t happen?
What is the most common reason plans don’t happen?
How do you usually discover new places to visit?
How do you usually discover new places to visit?
What usually influences your decision of where to go or what to do the most?
What usually influences your decision of where to go or what to do the most?
What tools do you use to plan outings?
What tools do you use to plan outings?
How often do you have trouble deciding where to go or what to do?
How often do you have trouble deciding where to go or what to do?
How often do your plans fall through?
How often do your plans fall through?
After synthesizing user feedback, we identified key usability and content issues:
After synthesizing user feedback, we identified key usability and content issues:
Most people discover new places through social media, then use calendar apps, Google Maps, and group chats to plan.
Distance, price, convenience, and reviews are the top factors influencing decisions.
Plans often fall through due to indecisiveness, schedule conflicts, and cost.
Participants wanted one organized place to save ideas, compare options, and coordinate with friends.
DELIVERABLES
DELIVERABLES
Based on my research findings, I created several deliverables to guide the app’s design
Based on my research findings, I created several deliverables to guide the app’s design
Research insights informed a set of design artifacts that shaped Hidden Gem’s direction. These included user personas, journey maps, user flows, and wireframes that clarified user needs, defined key features, and highlighted opportunities to simplify planning and discovery.
Research insights informed a set of design artifacts that shaped Hidden Gem’s direction. These included user personas, journey maps, user flows, and wireframes that clarified user needs, defined key features, and highlighted opportunities to simplify planning and discovery.
USER PERSONAS
USER PERSONAS
Developed a primary persona representing Hidden Gem’s target user
Developed a primary persona representing Hidden Gem’s target user
The persona captured core motivations, goals, and frustrations around discovering and planning experiences. It grounded design decisions by clarifying what users need most and how the app should support their behaviors.
The persona captured core motivations, goals, and frustrations around discovering and planning experiences. It grounded design decisions by clarifying what users need most and how the app should support their behaviors.
JOURNEY MAP
JOURNEY MAP
Mapped the user journey to understand behaviors, emotions, and pain points throughout the planning process
Mapped the user journey to understand behaviors, emotions, and pain points throughout the planning process
The journey map captured user actions, thoughts, emotions, and pain points across each stage of planning an outing. It helped highlight where users experienced the most friction and revealed opportunities for features that reduce effort and support follow-through.
The journey map captured user actions, thoughts, emotions, and pain points across each stage of planning an outing. It helped highlight where users experienced the most friction and revealed opportunities for features that reduce effort and support follow-through.
INFormation Architecture
INFormation Architecture
Created a clear app structure to organize key features and simplify navigation
Created a clear app structure to organize key features and simplify navigation
The information architecture outlined how users move through the app, from discovery to planning and follow-through. It clarified the relationships between core features like the planner, saved experiences, and chat so users can find what they need quickly without confusion or extra steps.
The information architecture outlined how users move through the app, from discovery to planning and follow-through. It clarified the relationships between core features like the planner, saved experiences, and chat so users can find what they need quickly without confusion or extra steps.
User Flow
User Flow
Designed a user flow informed by the persona, journey map, and information architecture
Designed a user flow informed by the persona, journey map, and information architecture
The user flow outlined the steps users take from discovering a new place to finalizing a plan. It clarified key screens and decision points and revealed opportunities to streamline actions so the experience feels intuitive and aligned with user goals.
The user flow outlined the steps users take from discovering a new place to finalizing a plan. It clarified key screens and decision points and revealed opportunities to streamline actions so the experience feels intuitive and aligned with user goals.
DESIGN & IDEATION
DESIGN & IDEATION
Explored multiple rounds of sketches to generate and refine design ideas
Explored multiple rounds of sketches to generate and refine design ideas
I sketched multiple rounds of concepts to explore solutions, layouts, and feature ideas. Some sessions focused on solving key user problems, while others explored page-level structure and interactions. This helped clarify strong directions and visualize the best approaches before moving into wireframes.
I sketched multiple rounds of concepts to explore solutions, layouts, and feature ideas. Some sessions focused on solving key user problems, while others explored page-level structure and interactions. This helped clarify strong directions and visualize the best approaches before moving into wireframes.
AI tools also supported early ideation by generating alternative concepts and layout variations, helping me explore more directions before moving into wireframes.
AI tools also supported early ideation by generating alternative concepts and layout variations, helping me explore more directions before moving into wireframes.
Crazy 8 Sketching Sessions Focused on Ideation for Specific User Needs:
Crazy 8 Sketching Sessions Focused on Ideation for Specific User Needs:
Ideation Sketching Session Based on Page Layout:
Ideation Sketching Session Based on Page Layout:
User TESTING & THE IMPACT
User TESTING & THE IMPACT
Ran usability tests with five participants to evaluate navigation and feature clarity
Ran usability tests with five participants to evaluate navigation and feature clarity
I conducted usability testing to understand how easily users could navigate the app and complete key tasks. The sessions revealed specific areas that caused confusion or friction.
I conducted usability testing to understand how easily users could navigate the app and complete key tasks. The sessions revealed specific areas that caused confusion or friction.
Key Findings:
Navigation flow:
Users found the overall navigation easy to follow but felt the generator form required too much scrolling.
Improvement: I separated the form into multiple pages and added a progress bar to make the experience feel more manageable.
Feature clarity:
Some users were unsure about the generator’s purpose and wanted the option to create plans separately.
Improvement: I placed the generator and calendar on different pages and added “Create Plan” and “Saved Plan” sections for clarity.
Key Findings:
Navigation flow:
Users found the overall navigation easy to follow but felt the generator form required too much scrolling.
Improvement: I separated the form into multiple pages and added a progress bar to make the experience feel more manageable.
Feature clarity:
Some users were unsure about the generator’s purpose and wanted the option to create plans separately.
Improvement: I placed the generator and calendar on different pages and added “Create Plan” and “Saved Plan” sections for clarity.
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
A final design that turns indecision into confident action
A final design that turns indecision into confident action
Getting Started
Getting Started
Creating an engaging first touchpoint that invites users to start discovering
Creating an engaging first touchpoint that invites users to start discovering
The onboarding flow quickly introduces Hidden Gem’s purpose and guides users into the Discover page with minimal friction. It sets the tone for an experience that feels simple, welcoming, and focused on helping users find new places right away.
The onboarding flow quickly introduces Hidden Gem’s purpose and guides users into the Discover page with minimal friction. It sets the tone for an experience that feels simple, welcoming, and focused on helping users find new places right away.
EXPLORE EXPERIENCES
EXPLORE EXPERIENCES
Helping users explore new experiences through personalized and social discovery
Helping users explore new experiences through personalized and social discovery
The Discover page is the starting point for exploration, offering dynamic recommendations based on a user’s location, saved folders, and selected interests. Experience cards highlight key details at a glance, making it easy to compare options. Selecting a card opens a detailed view with photos, reviews, and actions to save or visit the location.
The Discover page is the starting point for exploration, offering dynamic recommendations based on a user’s location, saved folders, and selected interests. Experience cards highlight key details at a glance, making it easy to compare options. Selecting a card opens a detailed view with photos, reviews, and actions to save or visit the location.
Generator
Generator
Creating personalized itineraries that make planning effortless and intentional
Creating personalized itineraries that make planning effortless and intentional
The Generator is what sets Hidden Gem apart. Users enter key details like budget, date, time frame, location, and transportation, then select category tags such as vibe, activity type, and food preferences. They can also include saved folders, allowing the Generator to blend past favorites with new recommendations.
The Generator is what sets Hidden Gem apart. Users enter key details like budget, date, time frame, location, and transportation, then select category tags such as vibe, activity type, and food preferences. They can also include saved folders, allowing the Generator to blend past favorites with new recommendations.
Depending on the user’s time frame, the Generator creates either a single recommendation or a full multi-stop itinerary tailored to their preferences. This directly addresses the research insight that people save ideas but rarely follow through. By combining saved places with fresh suggestions, the Generator turns forgotten inspiration into real, actionable plans.
Depending on the user’s time frame, the Generator creates either a single recommendation or a full multi-stop itinerary tailored to their preferences. This directly addresses the research insight that people save ideas but rarely follow through. By combining saved places with fresh suggestions, the Generator turns forgotten inspiration into real, actionable plans.
PROFILE
PROFILE
A space for users to manage their activity and saved experiences
A space for users to manage their activity and saved experiences
The Profile page gives users a central place to view their posts and reviews, manage followers, and access saved folders. It provides a clear overview of their activity and makes it easy to revisit places they’ve liked or plan to try next.
The Profile page gives users a central place to view their posts and reviews, manage followers, and access saved folders. It provides a clear overview of their activity and makes it easy to revisit places they’ve liked or plan to try next.
Chat
Chat
Helping users plan together through built-in group messaging
Helping users plan together through built-in group messaging
The Chat feature lets users coordinate plans directly in the app, removing the need to switch between multiple tools. They can share experiences, vote on ideas, and finalize details in one place. Since most participants relied on group chats to plan, bringing this behavior into Hidden Gem makes collaboration easier and more organized.
The Chat feature lets users coordinate plans directly in the app, removing the need to switch between multiple tools. They can share experiences, vote on ideas, and finalize details in one place. Since most participants relied on group chats to plan, bringing this behavior into Hidden Gem makes collaboration easier and more organized.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Takeaways
Takeaways
Key takeaways and opportunities for future improvement
Key takeaways and opportunities for future improvement
This project strengthened my ability to translate research into features that directly address user pain points. I learned how to be intentional with every decision and design for smaller screens without overwhelming users, especially when an app includes many interconnected features.
This project strengthened my ability to translate research into features that directly address user pain points. I learned how to be intentional with every decision and design for smaller screens without overwhelming users, especially when an app includes many interconnected features.
If I had more time, I would explore adding a map-based planning feature that combines location and calendar data. This would help users visualize where experiences are happening and choose options that fit their schedule and proximity, supporting even smoother planning and decision-making.
If I had more time, I would explore adding a map-based planning feature that combines location and calendar data. This would help users visualize where experiences are happening and choose options that fit their schedule and proximity, supporting even smoother planning and decision-making.