Yasumi | やすみ
Yasumi | やすみ
Yasumi | やすみ
The app that bridges the gap between optimized travel and exploratory discovery.
The app that bridges the gap between optimized travel and exploratory discovery.
The app that bridges the gap between optimized travel and exploratory discovery.
01 Overview
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
I created a travel app that empowers users to maximize their vacation experience, but on their own time and at their own speed. By creating a navigation system that updates in real time, users are no longer beholden to a strict itinerary. Instead, the itinerary is beholden to the user.
I created a travel app that empowers users to maximize their vacation experience, but on their own time and at their own speed. By creating a navigation system that updates in real time, users are no longer beholden to a strict itinerary. Instead, the itinerary is beholden to the user.
I created a travel app that empowers users to maximize their vacation experience, but on their own time and at their own speed. By creating a navigation system that updates in real time, users are no longer beholden to a strict itinerary. Instead, the itinerary is beholden to the user.
Problem
Problem
Problem
Not everyone travels the same way, yet travel apps treat users as if they do, providing a one-size-fits-all experience that focuses explicitly on optimization.
Not everyone travels the same way, yet travel apps treat users as if they do, providing a one-size-fits-all experience that focuses explicitly on optimization.
Not everyone travels the same way, yet travel apps treat users as if they do, providing a one-size-fits-all experience that focuses explicitly on optimization.
Insight
Insight
Insight
Many travelers want to see all the sights, try all the foods, shop in all the stores, but creating an itinerary for each day can be overly time-consuming.
Many travelers want to see all the sights, try all the foods, shop in all the stores, but creating an itinerary for each day can be overly time-consuming.
Many travelers want to see all the sights, try all the foods, shop in all the stores, but creating an itinerary for each day can be overly time-consuming.
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
Create a platform that allows non-planning travelers to live their vacation to the fullest without confining their exploration to a strict itinerary.
Create a platform that allows non-planning travelers to live their vacation to the fullest without confining their exploration to a strict itinerary.
Create a platform that allows non-planning travelers to live their vacation to the fullest without confining their exploration to a strict itinerary.
02 Product
Features
Don't spend hours creating an itinerary - let Yasumi do it for you.
Don't spend hours creating an itinerary - let Yasumi do it for you.
According to my user survey, over 95% of participants ranked this feature as 'Most Important'.
According to my user survey, over 95% of participants ranked this feature as 'Most Important'.
Imagine you've landed in Japan. You're over the moon, excited about finally being on the vacation that you have been saving up for all year.
But… now what? It can be incredibly overwhelming because there is so much to do that you don't know where to start. For those who don’t like to plan, this feeling of decision paralysis can be even greater—they want to do it all but have no plan of action.
Imagine you've landed in Japan. You're over the moon, excited about finally being on the vacation that you have been saving up for all year.
But… now what? It can be incredibly overwhelming because there is so much to do that you don't know where to start. For those who don’t like to plan, this feeling of decision paralysis can be even greater—they want to do it all but have no plan of action.
To solve this issue, Yasumi allows users to input what they would like to do for the day and have the app create an optimized route to accomplish everything they want.
To solve this issue, Yasumi allows users to input what they would like to do for the day and have the app create an optimized route to accomplish everything they want.
Yasumi home screen with current route up top and saved locations below.
Yasumi home screen with current route up top and saved locations below.
Saved location overlay.
Saved location overlay.
Search feature with filters.
Search feature with filters.
Scrollable map to find visiting locations.
Scrollable map to find visiting locations.
Vibes vs Specific search overlay
Vibes vs Specific search overlay
Location overlay
Location overlay
Users can also scroll through the map to find new locations that they would like to visit. From there, they can simply type in a feeling or emotion they want to experience, like 'Relax in a lush garden.' They can also search for specific locations if they already have one in mind, and choose to add it to their route or save it for later.
Users can also scroll through the map to find new locations that they would like to visit. From there, they can simply type in a feeling or emotion they want to experience, like 'Relax in a lush garden.' They can also search for specific locations if they already have one in mind, and choose to add it to their route or save it for later.
No need to ask your friends for recommendations. Just go to their profile.
No need to ask your friends for recommendations. Just go to their profile.
As you plan your trip and browse the internet to decide what sights you'd like to see, it can be impossible to remember everything you want to do. Not only that, but scrolling back through your notes app and bookmarks to find what you want to do can be overly time-consuming.
The implementation of friends and influencers allows users to get on-the-fly recommendations simply by going to their friend's profiles. Additionally, Japan influencers can create accounts and give recommendations to their followers.
I originally thought that the 'Rookie Mistakes' feature would be a core feature of Yasumi. However, after user testing, most people reported that the feature didn't need to be a core function of the app. Instead of scrapping the feature, I instead consolidated it into users' profile pages.
As you plan your trip and browse the internet to decide what sights you'd like to see, it can be impossible to remember everything you want to do. Not only that, but scrolling back through your notes app and bookmarks to find what you want to do can be overly time-consuming.
The implementation of friends and influencers allows users to get on-the-fly recommendations simply by going to their friend's profiles. Additionally, Japan influencers can create accounts and give recommendations to their followers.
I originally thought that the 'Rookie Mistakes' feature would be a core feature of Yasumi. However, after user testing, most people reported that the feature didn't need to be a core function of the app. Instead of scrapping the feature, I instead consolidated it into users' profile pages.
Friends Profile with their saved locations.
Friends Profile with their saved locations.
Friends Profile with their routes.
Friends Profile with their routes.
Friends Profile with their tips and Rookie Mistakes.
Friends Profile with their tips and Rookie Mistakes.
Turn-by-turn navigation & push notifications to keep you moving.
Turn-by-turn navigation & push notifications to keep you moving.
Yasumi offers in-app navigation so users don't have to search for addresses or leave the app to get to their next locations. It is fully integrated with Apple iOS Maps to give users a consistent experience. This feature will also send push notifications based on your location for cultural reminders so you can be a respectful tourist.
Yasumi offers in-app navigation so users don't have to search for addresses or leave the app to get to their next locations. It is fully integrated with Apple iOS Maps to give users a consistent experience. This feature will also send push notifications based on your location for cultural reminders so you can be a respectful tourist.
First stop - Start Route
First stop - Start Route
Apple Maps integration
Apple Maps integration
Push notifications provide cultural tips and reminders.
Push notifications provide cultural tips and reminders.
Find hidden gems & travel like a local.
Find hidden gems & travel like a local.
In my user survey, 70% of users stated that finding hidden gems, hole-in-the-wall spots, and traveling off the beaten path was their favorite part of travel.
Hidden Gems allows users to get the most out of their experience by showing them places that most tourists miss.
In the user survey, 70% of users stated that finding hidden gems, hole-in-the-wall spots, and traveling off the beaten path was their favorite part of travel.
Hidden Gems allows users to get the most out of their experience by showing them places that most tourists miss.
Hidden Gem icon on Map Navigation
Hidden Gem icon on Map Navigation
Hidden Gem Push Notification
Hidden Gem Push Notification
Add Hidden Gem to Route
Add Hidden Gem to Route
Never miss a trending location & stay on schedule.
Never miss a trending location & stay on schedule.
Travelers want to live their vacation to the fullest, but there's only so much you can do in a day. However, tourists are also terrified about missing out on great experiences.
Take it from me—nothing is worse than having an amazing trip, flying home, landing, browsing Instagram… and boom. A "Don't miss this Ramen Spot in Tokyo!" video starts playing and you see the most delicious looking bowl of ramen you have ever seen in your life.
So users never have this feeling, Yasumi will send push notifications to users when they are near trending, popular, or previously viewed locations.
Instead of having that feeling of dread when those "Don't miss this ____ in Japan" videos pop up, Yasumi users can say, "Been there, done that."
Travelers want to live their vacation to the fullest, but there's only so much you can do in a day. However, tourists are also terrified about missing out on great experiences.
Take it from me—nothing is worse than having an amazing trip, flying home, landing, browsing Instagram… and boom. A "Don't miss this Ramen Spot in Tokyo!" video starts playing and you see the most delicious looking bowl of ramen you have ever seen in your life.
So users never have this feeling, Yasumi will send push notifications to users when they are near trending, popular, or previously viewed locations.
Instead of having that feeling of dread when those "Don't miss this ____ in Japan" videos pop up, Yasumi users can say, "Been there, done that."
Dinner Recommendation Notification
Dinner Recommendation Notification
Dinner Recommendation Overlay
Dinner Recommendation Overlay
So, your dinner location has been selected, but you aren't quite finished exploring Ueno Park. You take a moment to rest on a bench by the lake there, and before you know it, time has gotten away from you. Yasumi will send you push notifications letting you know that it closes soon. However, it leaves the decision up to the user and always provides an alternative location.
So, your dinner location has been selected, but you aren't quite finished exploring Ueno Park. You take a moment to rest on a bench by the lake there, and before you know it, time has gotten away from you. Yasumi will send you push notifications letting you know that it closes soon. However, it leaves the decision up to the user and always provides an alternative location.
Next Steps
Next Steps
There is still so much exploration I would like to do with Yasumi, and many features that I would like to add.
Adding a feature where solo-travelers can connect with other Yasumi users.
Adding an option for during user's traveling where their routes sync with other users. Let's say you're heading to lunch, maybe another user who has had different route is also heading to the same lunch spot. Yasumi will ask the user if they would like to make the reservation for two, allowing for more user connections to be made.
Gamifying user recommendations.
Let's face it, a lot of times user's simply won't leave a review or a recommendation. So, to make sure that Yasumi is packed-full of input, adding a feature where user's leaving reviews unlock things could help with that. Such as, if you leave a new review/recommendation, you unlock more hidden gems on the map.
Filtering recommendations.
Another feature that I plan to add is the ability to filter the map by price, hidden gems, and trending locations. This way, users can discover locations that suit their needs most.
There is still so much exploration I would like to do with Yasumi, and many features that I would like to add.
Adding a feature where solo-travelers can connect with other Yasumi users.
Adding an option for during user's traveling where their routes sync with other users. Let's say you're heading to lunch, maybe another user who has had different route is also heading to the same lunch spot. Yasumi will ask the user if they would like to make the reservation for two, allowing for more user connections to be made.
Gamifying user recommendations.
Let's face it, a lot of times user's simply won't leave a review or a recommendation. So, to make sure that Yasumi is packed-full of input, adding a feature where user's leaving reviews unlock things could help with that. Such as, if you leave a new review/recommendation, you unlock more hidden gems on the map.
Filtering recommendations.
Another feature that I plan to add is the ability to filter the map by price, hidden gems, and trending locations. This way, users can discover locations that suit their needs most.
Learning & Conclusion
Learning & Conclusion
Creating Yasumi allowed me to work on a project that helped me learn more about the design process while working on something that I am passionate about. Some key takeaways were:
Keeping the features user-centered.
Just because I thought that a feature would be popular and useful, doesn't mean that users would feel the same way.
Creating a cohesive design system.
Since I worked alone on Yasumi, I had to create a design system brick-by-brick. This taught me the value in having a design system. Instead of creating each page meticulously, I was able to design and iterate rapidly because of my design system.
Creating Yasumi allowed me to work on a project that helped me learn more about the design process while working on something that I am passionate about. Some key takeaways were:
Keeping the features user-centered.
Just because I thought that a feature would be popular and useful, doesn't mean that users would feel the same way.
Creating a cohesive design system.
Since I worked alone on Yasumi, I had to create a design system brick-by-brick. This taught me the value in having a design system. Instead of creating each page meticulously, I was able to design and iterate rapidly because of my design system.
