Research | Feature creation
A new review system for AllTrails to enhance the user experience
A new review system for AllTrails to enhance the user experience
A new review system for AllTrails to enhance the user experience
AllTrails connects people to nature through community-powered trail reviews. This redesign aims to enhance the accuracy and engagement of user reviews, creating a more trustworthy and enjoyable experience for hikers exploring new trails.
AllTrails connects people to nature through community-powered trail reviews. This redesign aims to enhance the accuracy and engagement of user reviews, creating a more trustworthy and enjoyable experience for hikers exploring new trails.
AllTrails connects people to nature through community-powered trail reviews. This redesign aims to enhance the accuracy and engagement of user reviews, creating a more trustworthy and enjoyable experience for hikers exploring new trails.
UX Research
Visual Design
Interaction Design
Prototyping
the problem: gaps in trail reviews
AllTrails is a platform that provides a huge collection of trail maps worldwide and gives people the chance to share their experience on a trail after they’ve completed it. I found the existing review system often lacks accuracy, clarity, and engagement, limiting the ability to make confident decisions.
Users struggle to find reliable information about less-known trails, and leaving reviews can feel tedious or unrewarding. This gap limits trust and diminishes the overall user experience, highlighting an opportunity to make reviews both more dependable and enjoyable.
the problem
AllTrails is a platform that provides a huge collection of trail maps worldwide and gives people the chance to share their experience on a trail after they’ve completed it. I found the existing review system often lacks accuracy, clarity, and engagement, limiting the ability to make confident decisions.
Users struggle to find reliable information about less-known trails, and leaving reviews can feel tedious or unrewarding. This gap limits trust and diminishes the overall user experience, highlighting an opportunity to make reviews both more dependable and enjoyable.
the solution
The new and improved review system for AllTrails focuses on providing accurate and up-to-date information to users through improving the already existing review system and provides a more fun and immersive experience for those leaving a review.
The new and improved review system for AllTrails focuses on providing accurate and up-to-date information to users through improving the already existing review system and provides a more fun and immersive experience for those leaving a review.
The new and improved review system for AllTrails focuses on providing accurate and up-to-date information to users through improving the already existing review system and provides a more fun and immersive experience for those leaving a review.
Discovery
AllTrails is a platform and mobile app designed to help people discover and explore the outdoors. It provides a huge collection of trail maps worldwide, with details about trail difficulty, length, elevation, and scenery and gives people the chance to share their experience on a trail after they’ve completed it.
Discovery
The project began with creating the main assumptions I had about AllTrails and its audience.
I tried to empathize with as many user segments as I could to gain a better understanding of what users are trying to do, what’s holding them back, and what they want out of the app.
Users are 18–65 years old.
Most AllTrails users are outdoor enthusiasts who hike, run, or bike.
Users look for curated, trustworthy trail information.
Users primarily use AllTrails to discover new trails based on difficulty, distance, and location.
Users rely on AllTrails for accurate trail navigation.
They expect up-to-date trail conditions, maps, and offline navigation.
Their goal is to explore new areas confidently while minimizing risk of getting lost or encountering unexpected challenges.
Users are 18–65 years old.
Most AllTrails users are outdoor enthusiasts who hike, run, or bike.
Users look for curated, trustworthy trail information.
Users primarily use AllTrails to discover new trails based on difficulty, distance, and location.
Users rely on AllTrails for accurate trail navigation.
They expect up-to-date trail conditions, maps, and offline navigation.
Their goal is to explore new areas confidently while minimizing risk of getting lost or encountering unexpected challenges.
Outdated or incomplete trail info (closures, weather impacts, conditions).
Offline functionality issues, such as GPS not loading in remote areas.
Inconsistency in trail data across platforms (e.g., different trail distances between Google Maps and AllTrails).
Users expect AllTrails to continuously improve and expand its trail database.
They rely heavily on reviews and photos from real users to choose trails.
They expect access to reliable offline map features without needing a premium subscription.
Users are 18–65 years old.
Most AllTrails users are outdoor enthusiasts who hike, run, or bike.
Users look for curated, trustworthy trail information.
Users primarily use AllTrails to discover new trails based on difficulty, distance, and location.
Users rely on AllTrails for accurate trail navigation.
They expect up-to-date trail conditions, maps, and offline navigation.
Their goal is to explore new areas confidently while minimizing risk of getting lost or encountering unexpected challenges.
Outdated or incomplete trail information (closures, weather impacts, conditions).
Offline functionality issues, such as GPS not loading in remote areas.
Inconsistency in trail data across platforms (e.g., different trail distances between Google Maps and AllTrails).
Users expect AllTrails to continuously improve and expand its trail database.
They rely heavily on reviews and photos from real users to choose trails.
They expect access to reliable offline map features without needing a premium subscription.
Discovery
My core assumptions were centred around accuracy, trust, and accessibility
Users may be frustrated by outdated or incomplete trail information, which can lead to unexpected issues during their outdoor activities.
Users rely heavily on reviews and photos from real people in order to make a decision when choosing a trail, whether in terms of weather and trail conditions, difficulty level, or elevation gain.
Users expect to have access to live offline map information to view certain features without a signal, and without having to register for a premium account.
Accuracy -->
Users may be frustrated by outdated or incomplete trail information, which can lead to unexpected issues during their outdoor activities.
Users rely heavily on reviews and photos from real people in order to make a decision when choosing a trail, whether in terms of weather and trail conditions, difficulty level, or elevation gain.
Users expect to have access to live offline map information to view certain features without a signal, and without having to register for a premium account.
Accurate and current information about the trail or route is important to users because they rely on the accurate information to make decisions about feasibility, in terms of time or physical capabilities.
“I don’t want to show up to a hike and I can’t even do it cause there’s snow everywhere.”
Recent and updated reviews are essential to users, as they rely on firsthand accounts to make informed decisions about trail conditions, weather, difficulty levels, and elevation gain, to make sure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.
“ I would say that is quite important. That is one thing I do look at.”
Users do not heavily rely on the offline map feature, with one of three participants noting they’ve never used the feature. The other two participants said they just check trail details before losing internet connection.
“I don’t find the need to use it because I can just check before I leave the house.”
Discovery
To prove whether or not my assumptions were accurate, I conducted 3 one-on-one user interviews.
Conducting these interviews validated my assumptions, revealing how people engage with AllTrails and which features they value, which provided a clear foundation for making informed design decisions.
Accurate and current information about the trail or route is important to users because they rely on the accurate information to make decisions about feasibility, in terms of time or physical capabilities.
“I don’t want to show up to a hike and I can’t even do it cause there’s snow everywhere.”
Recent and updated reviews are essential to users, as they rely on firsthand accounts to make informed decisions about trail conditions, weather, difficulty levels, and elevation gain, to make sure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.
“ I would say that is quite important. That is one thing I do look at.”
Accessibility - not valid
Users do not heavily rely on the offline map feature, with one of three participants noting they’ve never used the feature. The other two participants said they just check trail details before losing internet connection.
“I don’t find the need to use it because I can just check before I leave the house.”
Strategy
I created a defined set of visions, goals, and insight tools to ensure the design direction stayed focused, strategic, and user-centred.
Empower people of all skill levels to confidently explore the outdoors while being conscious of safety and sustainability to inspire a deeper appreciation for the environments they visit.
Aspire to create a user-friendly platform with accurate trail information, and aim to make outdoor activities more accessible while building a global community of adventurers.
Consistently work on enhancing the user experience, offering personalized recommendations and building partnerships with organizations to preserve trails for future generations.
Empower people of all skill levels to confidently explore the outdoors while being conscious of safety and sustainability to inspire a deeper appreciation for the environments they visit.
Aspire to create a user-friendly platform with accurate trail information, and aim to make outdoor activities more accessible while building a global community of adventurers.
Consistently work on enhancing the user experience, offering personalized recommendations and building partnerships with organizations to preserve trails for future generations.
Strategy statement
“Empower users to confidently explore and enjoy trails by providing accurate, up-to-date trail information, personalized recommendations tailored to their preferences, and intuitive planning tools that enhance safety, convenience, and enjoyment during outdoor adventures.”
User Story
“As a hiker new to the Vancouver area, I need access to accurate and up-to-date trail information to accurately plan my route. I would love to browse helpful user reviews and photos, and download offline maps, so that I can confidently navigate my hike, even in areas without cell service.”
User Story
“As a hiker new to the Vancouver area, I need access to accurate and up-to-date trail information to accurately plan my route. I would love to browse helpful user reviews and photos, and download offline maps, so that I can confidently navigate my hike, even in areas without cell service.”
design
I starred features that reflected my research and user interviews the most and created some greyscale wireframes to outline the core flows.
Impact
My new review system for AllTrails focuses on improving the accuracy of trail information and providing users with a more fun and thoughtful way to leave a review.
The new review system allows users to write more precise reviews using a difficulty scale and experience keywords, empowering the AllTrails community to explore new places with confidence.
reflection
Taking time to reflect, here's what I learned throughout this project:
Overall, I think I did a good job staying organized and building a solid set of assumptions to test, which set a strong foundation for the project. At the same time, I see areas where I could improve, specifically by being more intentional with user interviews, selecting the most effective insight tools for the challenge, and seeking additional feedback before moving into mockups and high-fidelity designs. These lessons helped me recognize where more structure and iteration could elevate the final outcome.
Key Learnings
Staying organized early on made research and synthesis smoother.
User interviews could have been more focused and directed.
Choosing insight tools tailored to the project would yield stronger insights.
Gathering more feedback before mockups would strengthen design decisions.
Thank you for your curiosity
Created by hand with love ᥫ᭡ using framer
Thank you for your curiosity
Created by hand with love ᥫ᭡ using framer
Thank you for your curiosity
Created by hand with love ᥫ᭡ using framer
