Travel Focused Social Networking
A city-based feed that lets users connect, create groups, and organize events around nearby activity.
Post-pandemic travel shows a rise in solo trips, with 75% of Gen Z taking solo journeys in 2024.
They are also known as the loneliest generation.
Travel Focused Social Networking
A city-based feed that lets users connect, create groups, and organize events around nearby activity.
Travel Focused Social Networking
A city-based feed that lets users connect, create groups, and organize events around nearby activity.
Drop In Meetups
Travelers can post and discover casual gatherings, with location pins highlighting where people are and which spots are most active.
User Research Insights
Interviewed 5 travelers ages 18 to 27 via phone call.
Comfort vs. Connection
Comfort vs. Connection
Hostels are great for meeting people, but as travelers get older, they prioritize comfort such as a private room which often reduces social interaction.
Hostels are great for meeting people, but as travelers get older, they prioritize comfort such as a private room which often reduces social interaction.
Lack of Social Infrastructure
Lack of Social Infrastructure
As informal social spaces become less accessible due to rising costs, people have fewer opportunities to connect naturally without committing to expensive experiences.
As informal social spaces become less accessible due to rising costs, people have fewer opportunities to connect naturally without committing to expensive experiences.
Safety & Spontaneity Matter
Safety & Spontaneity Matter
Women seek safer, more casual ways to connect while traveling and many prefer spontaneous, affordable interactions over rigid or costly group tours.
Women seek safer, more casual ways to connect while traveling and many prefer spontaneous, affordable interactions over rigid or costly group tours.
User Research Insights
Interviewed 5 travelers ages 18 to 27 via phone call.
Comfort vs. Connection
Hostels are great for meeting people, but as travelers get older, they prioritize comfort such as a private room which often reduces social interaction.
Lack of Social Infrastructure
As informal social spaces become less accessible due to rising costs, people have fewer opportunities to connect naturally without committing to expensive experiences.
Safety & Spontaneity Matter
Women seek safer, more casual ways to connect while traveling and many prefer spontaneous, affordable interactions over rigid or costly group tours.
Safety and Privacy First
Users can post safety alerts of suspicious activity while allowing them to connect without sharing personal contact information.
Drop In Meetups
Travelers can post and discover casual gatherings, with location pins highlighting where people are and which spots are most active.
Too Cluttered & Unfocused
Travel apps try to do too much and miss the mark on real-time social connection for young, solo travelers.
Market Findings
Market Findings
Tested travel apps alongside social platforms to understand where current solutions fall short.
Tested travel apps alongside social platforms to understand where current solutions fall short.
Too Cluttered & Unfocused
Travel apps try to do too much and miss the mark on real-time social connection for young, solo travelers.
Too Cluttered & Unfocused
Travel apps try to do too much and miss the mark on real-time social connection for young, solo travelers.
Too Cluttered & Unfocused
Travel apps try to do too much and miss the mark on real-time social connection for young, solo travelers.
Social Apps Aren't Travel-Focused
Instagram and Bumble have great connection features, but they lack tools tailored for spontaneous travel meetups.
Social Apps Aren't Travel-Focused
Instagram and Bumble have great connection features, but they lack tools tailored for spontaneous travel meetups.
Why
Solo travel provides independence and self-growth, but often results in isolation due to the decline of “third places” that enable spontaneous social connection. As Generation Z becomes increasingly digital-first and less inclined to initiate in-person interactions, there is a growing need for a platform that supports meaningful social connection during travel.
Why
Solo travel provides independence and self-growth, but often results in isolation due to the decline of “third places” that enable spontaneous social connection. As Generation Z becomes increasingly digital-first and less inclined to initiate in-person interactions, there is a growing need for a platform that supports meaningful social connection during travel.
Post-pandemic travel shows a rise in solo trips, with 75% of Gen Z taking solo journeys in 2024.
Post-pandemic travel shows a rise in solo trips, with 75% of Gen Z taking solo journeys in 2024.
Post-pandemic travel shows a rise in solo trips, with 75% of Gen Z taking solo journeys in 2024.
Post-pandemic travel shows a rise in solo trips, with 75% of Gen Z taking solo journeys in 2024.
They are also known as the loneliest generation.
They are also known as the loneliest generation.
They are also known as the loneliest generation.
They are also known as the loneliest generation.
Contact
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started.
Contact
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started.
Contact
Let's get
started.
Contact
Let's get
started.
Pathmates: Gen Z Travel Social Media
Pathmates: Gen Z Travel Social Media
Pathmates: Gen Z Travel Social Media
Context
I created this project as part of my bachelor’s to explore a real user problem and design a professional digital solution. The project was completed over a five-week timeline and focused on practicing end-to-end product design within the lifestyle space.
Role
Solo Product Designer
Context
I created this project as part of my bachelor’s to explore a real user problem and design a professional digital solution. The project was completed over a five-week timeline and focused on practicing end-to-end product design within the lifestyle space.
Role
Solo Product Designer
Final Product
Final Product
Safety and Privacy First
Users can post safety alerts of suspicious activity while allowing them to connect without sharing personal contact information.
Pathmates: Gen Z Travel Social Media
Context
I created this project as part of my bachelor’s to explore a real user problem and design a professional digital solution. The project was completed over a five-week timeline and focused on practicing end-to-end product design within the lifestyle space.
Role