SUMMIT
Summit is a guide to Colorado's mountains. It helps hikers and climbers get information about the mountains, keep track of their adventures and communicate with like minded outdoor enthusiasts.
Background
For this concept project I was tasked with designing the user interface of a hiking application as well as the overall visual identity of the brand. This was a native application so I needed to create two versions one for IOS and one for Android. My designs needed to follow all guidelines from Apple’s Human Interface Design and Google’s Material Design.
My role: UI designer
Competitive analysis
I explored several different apps related to hiking, climbing and other outdoors sports in order to identify valuable features and patters that could serve as inspiration for my app design.
Apps analysed:
App concept
There are several apps in the market for Colorado hiking but they are either very broad and include all recreational trails or are very narrow and include only information about fourteeners. The app I decided to create was going to include information of all Colorado peaks of at least 11,000 ft. It would server as a guide for explorers but also as a tracking system to log their adventures. I decided to include a social component on the app as well, this would allow users to provide tips, leave reviews and connect with other hikers or climbers to form a community.
In order to do this, my app needed three main sections:
+ A guide section with information about the mountains.
+ A community section, where users could connect, share advice, organize trips together, etc.
+ A profile section, where the user could log and keep track of the peaks he/she has ascended.
Site map
Wireframes
I developed low and mid fidelity wireframes using Balsamiq and Sketch. I thoroughly studied Apple’s and Google’s design documentation to ensure my designs followed all guidelines. At this stage the differences between the IOS and the Android designs were already noticeable.
Moodboard
Nothing beats the view of a sunrise on top of a fourteener. I used this as inspiration for my moodboard. I wanted the look and feel of my app to represent adventure but also the feeling of tranquility and connection you feel when watching the sun rise from the top of a mountain.
Logo design
I called my app SUMMIT. Using pencil and paper I explored several different options for the SUMMIT logo.
I digitalized my favorites using Sketch and continued to explore variations until I was happy with the results.
Illustration
Part of my design included achievement badges. The goal of these badges was to provide a gamification element to the app and allow users to showcase their accomplishment. Using Sketch I drew some illustrations to represent the different goals users could reach.
Style guide
Finished screens
Try the prototypes: IOS Prototype | Android Prototype
