Roamio
Roamio is a travel app designed to feel like a thoughtful local friend, one that gets your vibe and makes the right suggestions at the right time. Whether you’re looking for hidden food gems, a quiet walk, or the city’s biggest cultural events, Roamio adapts to you in real-time.
The idea was sparked on a solo trip through Bavaria, where I found myself following a generic AI-made itinerary that didn’t account for daylight hours. After an unexpected hike back alone in complete darkness, I started to wonder, what if travel recommendations were not just personalised, but aware of the moment you're in?
Roamio became my way of exploring that idea.
As part of my master’s thesis, I designed and tested a prototype to see how travellers, especially frequent ones, respond to an app that blends personalisation with real-time awareness. Some features, like selecting a city and vibe, were introduced specifically to structure
This case study walks through my end-to-end design process, from research and strategy to visual design and branding. (User testing is currently underway; findings will be added here once complete.)
My Role
UX Research · UI Design · Branding · Prototyping · Usability Testing
Tools
Figma · Notion · Maze
The Problem
Travel apps today are packed with features — but when it comes to personal relevance and real-time adaptability, most still fall short. Many travelers rely on recommendation apps, AI-generated itineraries, top-rated lists on TripAdvisor, or Instagram “must-see” posts. But these experiences often feel generic, disconnected, or overwhelming, especially when you're in a new city and just want to make the most of your time.
Some key pain points I identified through early research:
- Generic suggestions that don’t reflect your actual interests or mood
- No real-time context, like time of day or what kind of day you’re having
- Too many options with no clear starting point
- No way to teach the app what you like or dislike
The result? A lot of travelers end up Googling last minute or relying on outdated blog posts — when they could be enjoying the moment instead.
The Solution
Roamio helps travellers cut through information overload by offering smart, timely suggestions that match their vibe and the moment they’re in.
At the heart of the app is a simple idea:
A dynamic home screen that blends personalised recommendations with local highlights — and lets users switch between the two.
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The "Picked For You" view shows suggestions tailored to your interests and context,
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The "Local hotspots" view highlights must-see local spots, perfect for when you're in the mood to explore beyond your usual preferences.
This structure balances personalisation with discovery, giving users just the right level of guidance without overwhelming them with options.
Roamio is designed to meet you where you are — and help you make the most of the moment.
Key features
AI-Personalised Suggestions
What it does: Recommends places based on your interests and real-time context.
Why it helps: Reduces decision fatigue and makes suggestions feel personally relevant.
Events Banner
What it does: Highlights festivals or events happening soon in your current city.
Why it helps: Keeps you updated without cluttering your main feed.
Local Must-Sees
What it does: Shows top local spots that are worth visiting, no matter your vibe.
Why it helps: Encourages spontaneous exploration without needing to overthink.
Travel tips
What it does: Shares quick, location-specific tips and cultural insights.
Why it helps: Prepares you with practical advice, from etiquette to weather-related tips.
Like / Dislike Feedback
What it does: Lets you instantly react to recommendations.
Why it helps: Helps the app learn your taste and refine future suggestions.
Market Research
To ground Roamio’s concept, I explored how current travel tools support — or often fail to support — travellers who want quick, personalised, and context-aware recommendations.
What people are using today
Most travellers rely on a mix of tools:
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TripAdvisor / Google Travel for lists and logistics
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Instagram / TikTok for inspiration and “must-see” content
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Chatgpt and AI tools for quick itinerary suggestions
Imagine it’s 9 am and you open one of these apps, and your top recommendation is a famous sunset viewpoint.
It might be one of the city’s most iconic spots, but it’s not exactly helpful when the sun won’t set for another 9 hours.
This is the kind of gap Roamio is designed to fill: helping travellers find the right experience at the right time, without having to dig through endless lists or suggestions that don’t match their current context.
User flow
Moodboard for UX
Moodboard for UI
Brand Identity
Wireframes
High-Fidelity Screens
