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OVERVIEW
As YachtAway’s product designer, I led the creation of a user-centered platform connecting travelers, hosts, and service providers for diverse yacht experiences. Inspired by the Airbnb model, YachtAway offers charters, boatel stays, curated yacht adventures, and a Co-Host network for specialized services. The goal was to build a seamless, accessible interface that supports various boat types, ensuring an inclusive experience for all users.

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ROLE
Product Designer

• Business Alignment
• User Research & Persona Development
• Design System & Interaction Design
• Prototyping & Testing

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DURATION
May 2024 - Ongoing

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PROCESS
Double Diamond & Lean UX

• Discovery
• Definition
• Ideation
• Implementation

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DISCOVERY PHASE

1- Stakeholder Alignment

I focused on aligning with stakeholders to set a solid foundation for YachtAway. Through Q&A sessions with key team members and decision-makers, to clarify the project’s direction.

• Vision & Objectives: Understand the product’s purpose and goals.
• Essential Features: Define must-have functionalities for launch.
• Business Success Metrics: Defined key KPIs and success measurements

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In the Discovery Phase, I dive deep to understand user needs, business goals, and market opportunities.

• User Research: Conducted surveys, interviews, and persona mapping to understand the unique needs of travelers, hosts, and service providers.
• Competitive Analysis: Analyzed market trends and platforms like Airbnb to identify gaps and opportunities specific to yacht and boat rentals.
• Event Storming: Mapped out workflows, user interactions, and potential challenges, helping us clarify key user actions for a seamless experience.

This phase allowed us to gather essential insights, aligning our vision with the needs of YachtAway's diverse user base, setting a clear direction for the project.

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DEFINITION PHASE

In the Definition Phase, we synthesized insights from the Discovery Phase to establish clear objectives, user flows, and requirements for the YachtAway platform. This phase was crucial for structuring a solid foundation for the design process.

• Problem Statements: Defined core challenges for each user group (Travelers, Hosts, and Service Providers) to focus our solutions on real needs.
• Feature Prioritization: Identified and prioritized key features, such as booking customization, Co-Host network, and service provider integration, based on user feedback and business goals.
• User Flow Mapping: Created detailed user flows for main interactions—such as booking, hosting, and service requests—ensuring intuitive navigation for all user roles.

The Definition Phase allowed us to refine our focus, establishing a clear path for the design work ahead with well-defined goals and a user-centered approach.

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IDEATION PHASE

During the Ideation Phase, I explored creative solutions to meet user needs and optimize the YachtAway experience. This phase involved generating design concepts, sketching ideas, and iterating based on feedback.

• Wireframing: Developed low-fidelity wireframes to outline key layouts, interactions, and components for core sections like the booking flow, host dashboard, and customization options.
• Collaborative Brainstorming: Worked with stakeholders and the project manager to brainstorm ideas for seamless navigation and personalized features, such as the Co-Host network and user-specific recommendations.
• User Testing: Conducted initial testing sessions with prospective users to gather feedback on the wireframes, refining the designs based on usability insights.

The Ideation Phase enabled us to explore and refine various design approaches, paving the way for a cohesive, user-centered solution that aligns with YachtAway’s goals.

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IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

In the Implementation Phase, I translated the refined flows into detailed design layouts, setting the stage for the final product. This phase involved developing complete design flows and preparing for an organized handoff.

• Detailed Design Layouts: Built comprehensive design flows, capturing the user journey with precise visual elements, interactions, and layouts.
• Design Handoff: Documented all design elements, interactions, and guidelines in a structured design system to ensure a smooth handoff and maintain consistency in implementation.

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FINAL DESIGNS & DESIGN SYSTEM

I prepared the fully developed design elements to ensure consistency and ease of implementation. This section provided the foundation for a polished and scalable product experience.

• Complete Design Flows: Delivered full layouts that capture the entire user journey, interactions, and visual elements to guide development.
• Style Guide: Created a visual guide with typography, color schemes, and iconography, reinforcing YachtAway’s brand identity across all touchpoints.
• Component Library: Assembled a collection of reusable UI components (e.g., buttons, form fields) to streamline implementation and maintain visual consistency.
• Pattern Library: Established interaction patterns for navigation, booking flows, and customization, ensuring intuitive and cohesive user interactions.
• UI Inventory: Documented a complete list of UI elements used throughout the platform, simplifying updates and scalability for future growth.

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SEAMLESS SEARCH

The flow for finding a desired boatel or charter on YachtAway is designed to be straightforward and intuitive. Following key UX principles, keeping choices manageable and making important buttons easy to reach, users can quickly filter through options without feeling overwhelmed. By categorizing options and allowing simple filters like location, boat type, and availability, the process becomes efficient, guiding users smoothly from search to booking. This setup ensures users can find what they’re looking for with minimal effort, making the experience both enjoyable and hassle-free.

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DESIGN SCREEN PREVIEW

Here’s a glimpse of a few key screens I designed for YachtAway, highlighting essential steps in the charter booking and customization journey.

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CHARTER BOOKING FLOW DEMO

Here’s a quick look at the charter booking flow, showcasing how users can easily search, customize, and book their perfect charter experience on YachtAway.

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