Wingmate
make friends and connect with fellow travelers at airport
1. Project overview
Objective:
The main goal of Wingmate is to help solo travelers connect with like-minded individuals at airports. By offering a platform where users can see others who are traveling on the same day, to the same destination, or even on the same flight, Wingmate facilitates meaningful connections and conversations, making travel less lonely and more enjoyable.
2. Problem statement
Solo travelers often feel isolated during long journeys or layovers at airports. Approaching strangers can be intimidating, especially without knowing if they share similar interests or are open to conversation.
In fact, studies show that around 28% of people travel solo each year, with the average long-haul flight lasting about 8 hours, and layovers often stretching to 3-5 hours. Wingmate aims to bridge this gap by providing a platform where users can effortlessly find and connect with others who share their travel route and interests.
3. Research and Insights
User research:
Through interviews and surveys, we discovered that many solo travelers are open to meeting new people but hesitate due to fear of rejection or awkward interactions. Travelers also expressed the need for a platform that could filter potential connections based on shared interests, travel destinations, and flight details.
User pain points:
Through extensive research and user interviews, we identified several key pain points that solo travelers often face at airports. From the fear of rejection to the challenge of finding like-minded individuals, these insights were crucial in shaping Wingmate’s features. Addressing these concerns allowed us to create a platform that genuinely connects people, turning solo travel into an opportunity for meaningful interactions.
Travel statistics:
On average, over 500 million people travel by air each year, with a significant percentage flying solo. Of these, approximately 40% experience layovers longer than 3 hours, making it the perfect opportunity to meet new people. This insight underscored the need for a social platform specifically designed for travelers, which was previously unexplored territory.
Ideation:
Wingmate replicates the natural human interaction of waving to someone as an icebreaker. This concept was integrated into the app, allowing users to "wave" at potential connections. If the wave is returned, it signifies mutual interest, and users can start a conversation.
User personas:
Wingmate is designed for a diverse range of solo travelers, but to bring our target audience into focus, we've created two user personas based on both primary and secondary research. These personas represent the key characteristics and motivations of our users, helping us design an app that truly meets their needs and expectations.
User flow:
The navigation flow was crucial in designing Wingmate to ensure a user-centric experience that resonates with travellers. By creating a seamless and intuitive journey through the app, the navigation flow focused on accessibility, ease of use, and smooth interactions, making it effortless for users to connect with like-minded travelers.
4. Design and Development
Wireframing:
Initial wireframes focused on creating a simple and clean interface that displayed essential information like where they travelling, interests, and conversation starters. High-fidelity prototypes were created to test the user flow and ensure the "wave" feature felt intuitive and engaging.
UI Design:
The design was kept minimalistic and user-friendly, with an emphasis on human touch points like the waving feature. Icons, buttons, and color schemes were chosen to evoke a sense of warmth and approachability, making users feel comfortable interacting with the app in public spaces.
5. Key features
Personalized travel buddy suggestions:
Users can view profiles of travelers who are on the same flight, traveling to the same destination, or have similar interests. The match percentage helps users quickly assess compatibility. this feature helps tap into a significant user base, offering them a chance to make meaningful connections.
Wave to connect:
The core feature of Wingmate, the wave, allows users to express interest in a non-verbal, non-intrusive manner. If both users wave, they can start chatting.
6. Conclusion
Wingmate successfully addresses the social needs of solo travelers by offering a platform that makes connecting with others as simple as waving. The MVP approach allowed us to focus on the core features that make the app unique, ensuring it meets user needs without overwhelming them with too many options. By focusing on natural human interactions and providing relevant travel information, Wingmate turns long journeys and layovers into opportunities for meaningful connections.
