Trassl
Travel Sustainably, Support Locally
This project was apart of my third year ‘Interactive Product Design Studio’ at the University of Sydney in 2024
Project Brief & Context
This project was developed as part of an iterative design process focused on addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working in a team of four people. We chose SDG 12: "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns," with a particular focus on sustainable tourism.
Research indicated that while 75% of travellers express a desire to travel sustainably, many fail to act on it due to greenwashing concerns, a lack of accessible information, and financial barriers. The project aimed to design a solution that empowers tourists to follow through on their sustainable travel intentions by providing guidance, affordable alternatives, and support systems.
Initial Ideas
Brainstorming and refining ideas through Crazy 8’s and a decision matrix. Three core concepts were evaluated based on their digital, spatial, and physical elements, as well as factors such as accessibility, engagement, and environmental impact. The initial concept was a fusion of two ideas-an informational walking guide and a scavenger hunt-to create an engaging, interactive experience that promotes sustainable travel choices.
Key Skills
User Research & Analysis
Conducted surveys, interviews, and online ethnography to identify key tourist pain points.
Interaction Design & Prototyping
Created low, mid, and high-fidelity prototypes using paper sketches and Figma.
Usability Testing
Conducted user testing at a university fair and within the team to refine interactions and improve accessibility.
UI/UX Design
Designed intuitive interfaces incorporating sustainable tourism data and social features.
Collaboration & Decision-Making
Worked within a multidisciplinary team to merge ideas and refine design choices iteratively.
Summary of Process
Research -> Concept Development -> Wireframing -> Prototyping -> User Testing -> Refining
Decision-Making
We used a decision matrix and user testing insights to refine the design, ensuring accessibility, engagement, and impact. Iterative feedback guided key improvements to navigation, layout and features.
Final Reflections
The project highlighted the challenges of bridging intent and action in sustainable tourism. By incorporating user research and iterative design, the team created a solution that is informative, engaging, and feasible for real-world application. Future iterations could involve expanding partnerships with airlines, local councils, and sustainability organisations to enhance credibility and reach. Additional features, such as real-time updates and community engagement tools, could further refine the experience and support long-term behaviour change among travellers.