2019
goCamp
UI&UX Design
Overview
goCamp is a mobile app designed to help camping enthusiasts explore campgrounds in British Columbia, prepare for trips, and learn outdoor skills—all in one place.
As the UI/UX designer, I translated user insights into an intuitive, end-to-end experience. I worked on interaction flows, interface design, prototyping, and testing to support both beginners and experienced campers through every stage of trip planning.
My Role
User research, Visual design, Interaction design, User testing
Tools
Figma, ProtoPie, AI, AE, PS
Team
June Shi, Mingxuan Yuan, Licheng Gu, Kirby Woo
Target Audience
goCamp was designed for adults aged 18–44 who enjoy nature, travel frequently, and use mobile apps to plan their outdoor experiences. We focused on users who want not just campground details, but also help with preparation, safety, and skill-building.
To guide the design, we created two representative personas based on user research and market data:
Insights & Goals
We analyzed competitor apps and app store reviews. Key user pain points included:
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No way to save or favorite campgrounds
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Poor search features, limited to current location
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Lack of filtering by amenities or distance
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New campers felt overwhelmed and needed structured guidance
Design Goals
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Make campground discovery fast and flexible
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Support first-time campers with tutorials and checklists
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Allow users to plan, track, and share trips
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Add unique features like AI-powered plant recognition
Key Features
Based on user pain points, we designed five core features to support campers from discovery to preparation:
Login & Signup
Allows users to create a personal account, track camping history, and save their favourite sites.
Profile & Settings
Gives users control over their preferences, saved campgrounds, and notification settings.
To-Do List
A shareable checklist that helps users organize packing lists, prep tasks, and trip essentials—especially useful for beginners.
Campground Discovery
Enables users to browse campsites using card view, with filters for facilities, reviews, and nearby attractions.
Skills
Offers curated camping guides, safety tips, and tutorials—helping users build confidence before heading outdoors.
Wireframing
To ensure the app supported actual planning behaviour, we mapped out key user flows, from campsite search to trip preparation. Then created wireframes and tested prototypes to ensure clarity, flow, and visual hierarchy.
With the core flows established, I tested high-fidelity prototypes to evaluate usability and refine the interface.
Prototyping & Testing
Method
I conducted usability testing to evaluate two key areas: Campground Search and Camp 101 navigation. Each session included task-based walkthroughs and observation of user behaviors across prototypes built in Figma and ProtoPie.
I tested:
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How users browse and filter places
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How they navigate Camp 101 content
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Whether layout, icons, and CTAs supported quick decision-making
Key Takeaways
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Inconsistent Pages → Standardized UI components and layout structure across screens.
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Too Much White Space → Tightened spacing to reduce visual gaps and improve content density.
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Information Overload → Simplified article layouts and broke content into digestible sections.
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Low Interaction Feedback → Added clearer button states and increased interactivity in articles.
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Unclear Navigation → Improved affordances and reorganized entry points in Camp 101.
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Small Hit Areas → Enlarged tap zones for filters and CTAs like "See All" and "Share."
The following mockups reflect design updates made in response to user feedback:
New Feature from Feedback
“I wish I could just point my camera at a plant and know if it’s safe.”
That led me to design an AR Camera feature that uses image recognition to identify plants. It adds educational value to the camping experience and supports both safety and curiosity outdoors.
Final Outcome
The final design of goCamp delivers a focused, intuitive experience for both beginner and experienced campers. From campsite discovery to packing prep, every screen was designed to be clear, supportive, and visually engaging.
Presentation Design
In addition to product design, I contributed to the final presentation deck, ensuring the project’s vision and impact were communicated clearly during critiques. I designed the slide visuals to match the tone of the product—friendly, confident, and outdoorsy.
Reflection
goCamp was the first end-to-end UI/UX project I completed—from early research to high-fidelity prototypes. It taught me how to listen to real user needs and turn them into designs that are both functional and enjoyable.
What I learned:
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How to translate user pain points into clear, actionable flows
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The value of usability testing—not just to fix issues but to uncover new ideas
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The importance of visual clarity and consistency, especially when working with first-time users
Designing the AR plant recognition feature from a single user comment was a turning point. It reminded me that even small bits of feedback can unlock something meaningful.
Moving forward, I’m continuing to sharpen my interaction design skills and expand how I incorporate user testing earlier in the process.
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