The Problem
Travellers often face significant challenges when trying to go camping due to a lack of access to essential gear. This is particularly true for first-time campers who may not own equipment, those traveling long distances to campsites and unable to transport bulky gear, or campers requiring specialized equipment. These barriers can make camping feel inaccessible, leaving many people discouraged and unable to fully experience outdoor activities
When searching up important camping gear - these results pop up
For new campers, these items and terms can feel overwhelming, confusing, and expensive
I've never been camping. I am wholly ignorant of how/when/where to go camping. I would ask more specific questions, but I really don't even know where to start.
Except for a tent I don't know what else I'll need. What do people even do when they go camping? I've seen a few YouTube videos but it's all overwhelming and seems like there will be a lot of expenses to buy camping gear.
I want to start camping, but I'm still without a lot of gear, such as a sleeping bag, camp stove, and pack to name a few. Each of those things cost over $100, I can't afford that!
How can we break this barrier of camping?
The Solution
I designed lantearn, a mobile app that connects users to campsites and provides a seamless booking experience, combined with a convenient gear rental system. Inspired by an Airbnb-style marketplace, lantearn allows users to rent expensive or specialized camping gear for short periods, saving money and keeping camping low commitment. Additionally, the app features an interactive explore page with forums where users can share experiences, post questions, and showcase photos, fostering a community for both new and experienced campers.
Role
Solo UX Designer/Research
Timeline
3 months; Sept - Dec 2024
Tools
Figma, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Key Features:
- Location Based Gear Rentals and Campsite
- Explore Page for Campsite Recommendations
- Filters to Find Exactly What the User is Looking For
- Chat to Allow Communication Between Renter and Rentee
- Image Forward Platform
Research - Online Observational Study
I used the web as my main source of making observations as observing people looking to camp is very difficult in a city. I looked through different discussion forums like Reddit (r/camping, r/camping gear, r/camping and hiking) and Facebook groups (Camping, Camping Moms)
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people want images of campsites before they go
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high booking costs deter campers
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renting out their own gear is iffy
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would be open to renting other people’s gear
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people love reviewed reviews
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people are iffy to rent out own gear because no incentive or there was damage caused to it in the past
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would be willing to pay quite a bit if there was a guarantee that it would be good quality
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would be interested in renting gear if they fly to the campsite
Design
Ideation
With the prior research in mind, I decided to brainstorm by mind mapping and noting down potential solutions. I came up with as many ideas as possible without considering feasibility at this stage.
I then went through the ideas and imagined their implementation feasibility. For example, creating a subscription service for camping gear with a free trial for new campers seems to be an excellent solution; however, considering the long term retention for users on the platform, the idea doesn't seem like it would work.
Therefore, I decided to keep it simple and decided on these three core functions of the app:
Camping gear rental - person to person
Campsite locator
Open forum for camping related discussions
Sketching
I quickly drew out sketches of these functionalities to create a guide for myself.
Architecture Diagram
As I started to draft some lo-fi screens, I realized that the key detail that I struggled with the most was the organization of this app. I couldn't figure out how I could make it the most intuitive. To streamline this, I employed the help of my design peers. I created 20 information cards with features and aspects of lantearn and had 2 peers sort them into categories that seemed to be the best fit.
(click to enlarge images)
Person 1
Person 2
Using this information, I was able to create an architecture diagram to guide the user flow of this app
Iteration Beginnings
For the first iteration of Lantearn, my primary goal is to validate whether the design effectively helps different types of users feel more confident and prepared for their camping experiences. This includes enabling users to find and book campsites easily, rent specialized gear without financial strain, and engage with a supportive community of fellow campers through the forums. I aim to determine whether the app simplifies the process for first-time and seasoned campers alike, making it easier to access necessary gear, plan trips, and connect with others. Additionally, I hope to test the usability of the design to identify areas for improvement and ensure a seamless experience for all users.
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I used Figma to create a basic interactive prototype to illustrate enough functionalities for me to test my hypotheses.
On Boarding
Main Flow
Additional Screens
User Testing
User Interview Process
With the goals I had for this iteration in mind, I moderated user interview sessions with 2 users with different attitudes towards camping and different experience levels. Here's a brief overview of the process:
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Introduce the project goal, and put users at ease
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Describe the scenario, set up the context, and let users use the app while thinking aloud.
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Ask follow up questions and gather feedback.
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Let users fill out a questionnaire.
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Thank them for participation.
Results
With the goals I had for this iteration in mind, I moderated user interview sessions with 2 users with different attitudes towards camping and different experience levels. Here's a brief overview of the process:
Participant 1 - Beginner Camper
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Struggled to decide which gear was necessary due to lack of context (e.g., suggested bundles or recommendations).
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Enjoyed the Instagram-style posts but wished for more detailed captions and reviews.
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Found the forum welcoming but had trouble choosing the right category for posting their question.
Participant 2 - Experienced Camper
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Quickly rented gear but noted missing features like favoriting items for later.
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Found campsite search easy but suggested adding a map view for better spatial understanding.
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Disliked the forum layout, citing redundant subcategories that made browsing difficult
In addition, all of the users that were tested noted that they are also willing to recommend the app to a friend, believe that it is a meaningful alternative to existing apps
Analysis + Potential Fixes
Change: Introduce curated gear bundles for common camping needs (e.g., “Rainy Day Camping,” “Family Trip”). Include beginner tips like how to layer clothing or what to pack for specific weather
Add a summary section in each post with essential details (e.g., availability of water, fire pits, difficulty rating). Use badges or icons for quick reference
Merge similar subcategories, create a single "Beginner's Corner," and add a search function for questions. Implement a tagging system for posts (e.g., #gear #weather).
Add a map view with filters so users can visualize campsite locations relative to their position or key landmarks
Add a "Wishlist" feature so users can save gear they’re interested in and revisit later.