StreetSmart
A travel app concept that blends personalization, safety, and exploration—helping users discover authentic experiences with peace of mind.
Project Overview
StreetSmart is a mobile app designed to provide tailored travel recommendations, a journaling tool, and safety features for travelers. Using AI, geolocation, and user-generated reviews, StreetSmart helps users discover unique experiences while prioritizing safety.
Role: Project Manager
Tools: Figma, GPS & Location Services, AI & Machine Learning
Team:
Research Lead: Aaron Elam
Design Lead: Rylie Gentil
Prototyping Lead: Byron Richard
Evaluation Lead: Jeyi Lee
Travelers struggle with finding personalized, reliable recommendations and staying safe in unfamiliar locations.
Existing travel apps often provide generic suggestions, limited customization, and little focus on safety, making it harder for users to discover experiences that truly fit their interests.
Key Challenges:
Lack of personalized travel recommendations
Difficulty finding authentic user reviews based on similar interests
Concerns about safety and avoiding high-risk areas
Primary Goal: Develop a smart travel app that offers personalized recommendations, real-time safety alerts, and an interactive journaling tool.
Key Objectives:
Deliver location-based recommendations tailored to user preferences
Provide safety insights using geo-fenced danger zones
Enable users to document their travels through a digital journal
Foster a community of trustworthy travel reviews
Research
To understand traveler needs, we conducted competitor analysis, user interviews, and surveys.
Competitive Analysis – Examined apps like Yelp, Google Maps, and Journey to identify gaps in personalization, safety features, and usability.
User Interviews – Spoke with diverse travelers to understand their behaviors before, during, and after trips.
Key Findings:
Pre-Travel: Users value tailored recommendations and easy trip planning.
During Travel: Real-time safety updates and intuitive navigation are top priorities.
Post-Travel: Users want a seamless way to document and reflect on their experiences.
Ideation
Using our research insights, we designed StreetSmart with the following core features:
Personalized Recommendations – AI-driven suggestions based on user interests and past experiences
Geo-Fenced Safety Alerts – Maps that highlight danger zones to help travelers stay safe
Interactive Travel Journal – A space for users to document trips, upload photos, and geotag locations
Customizable Filters – Users can filter locations (restaurants, performances, landmarks, etc.) based on their preferences
Trusted Review Network – Reviews are curated based on similar-interest travelers for authentic recommendations
Using Figma, we built wireframes and a high-fidelity prototype to test our concept with users.
User Feedback:
Strengths: Personalization, simplicity, and intuitive design
Weaknesses: Limited competitive differentiation, missing interactive features
Next Steps:
Enhance competitive edge with unique features (e.g., social sharing, offline mode)
Refine UI based on feedback to improve usability and engagement
Despite reaching out to 10+ potential clients, we were unable to secure a formal partnership, which shifted our approach toward user-centered design through direct feedback and research.
Key Takeaways:
User-Centered Design – Prioritizing user needs led to a more intuitive experience
Iterative Improvements – Testing and refining enhanced app usability
Market Differentiation is Crucial – Future iterations should further distinguish StreetSmart from competitors
Outcome: Successfully demonstrated the feasibility of core features through prototyping.
Next Steps:
Continue refining features based on user feedback
Explore additional capabilities like offline mode and community-driven itineraries
Improve differentiation to establish a unique market position