AllTrails Conceptual Redesign

A two-week conceptual redesign of the existing AllTrails app focused on improving user experience, addressing real hiker frustrations, and identifying feature opportunities that could deepen user trust while also increasing long-term value for the platform.

Overview

Our team set out to redesign parts of the existing AllTrails experience by improving one current feature and introducing one new feature. I was especially excited to work on this project because I already had personal experience using the app, which helped ground our thinking in both user familiarity and real-world frustration points.

The broader goal was twofold: make the app more useful and enjoyable for hikers, while also exploring changes that could create stronger user retention and potential revenue growth.

Team

Our team of four included myself, Meg Beauregard, Xochitl Parada, and Veronte Higgins. We initially assigned distinct roles, but because of the scope and pace of the project, we ended up working more collaboratively and functioned largely as generalists by the end. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Research

We began by trying to better understand the company, the app’s existing strengths, and the frustrations users were already expressing. To do that, we reviewed App Store feedback and used those early patterns to help shape a survey for hikers. The concerns we found in reviews aligned closely with the issues that later appeared in our own research. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Research Focus

After surveys, we conducted interviews with eight people to get a deeper understanding of user pain points, frustrations, and needs. This helped us move beyond general complaints and focus on the kinds of anxieties and habits that shape real hiking behavior. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Key Insights & Problem Framing

Two themes stood out most clearly in our interviews. First, users described spending money on gear and supplies to support the successful completion of their hikes, which showed us that preparation and confidence were major parts of the hiking experience. Second, users spoke openly about fear: getting lost, losing signal, and encountering wildlife all shaped how safe or unsafe they felt on the trail. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

These insights gave us a clearer direction for the project and helped us define more actionable opportunities for improvement.

How Might We…

• Prevent hikers from getting lost?
• Address no-signal issues on the trail?
• Provide more time-sensitive trail information?
• Help users feel more prepared for hikes?
• Inform hikers about amenities along the trail?
• Make wheelchair-accessible trails easier to find?
• Assist with fears around wild animals?
• Encourage users to leave reviews and photos?
• Make trails easier to share with others?

Design Direction

Our conceptual direction focused on building a more trustworthy hiking companion — one that not only helped users explore, but also better supported them before and during their hikes. Rather than thinking only about trail discovery, we focused on preparedness, real-time context, and confidence-building features that would matter in environments where users often lose signal or face uncertainty.

Next Steps

Looking ahead, we identified several developments that could meaningfully increase both user value and platform growth. These included taking advantage of emerging satellite-enabled phone technology to support navigation when users are off the grid, improving the community page by borrowing stronger social features, and adding tools to notify hikers when a trail should be avoided or when special precautions are needed to protect wildlife and ecosystems. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}