Favourite travel companion
The Peak Curious
Sees a mountain, needs to know everything
MEET THE TRAVELLER
MEET THE TRAVELLER
Nico is my best friend. Which is wild, because we travel nothing alike.
He’s the kind of traveler who’s not really in it for the “travel.”
He once said, “Basically when I’m traveling, I just do the same things I do on a weekend… just in a different city.”
And honestly? That checks out.
He’s not into itineraries, alarms, or hustling to “see everything.”
He likes good food, long walks, slow mornings, and maybe a few beers by sunset. it’s a vibe.
Our styles couldn’t be more different.
I want to squeeze the city. He wants to let it breathe.
Nico is my best friend. Which is wild, because we travel nothing alike.
He’s the kind of traveler who’s not really in it for the “travel.”
He once said, “Basically when I’m traveling, I just do the same things I do on a weekend… just in a different city.”
And honestly? That checks out.
He’s not into itineraries, alarms, or hustling to “see everything.”
He likes good food, long walks, slow mornings, and maybe a few beers by sunset. it’s a vibe.
Our styles couldn’t be more different.
I want to squeeze the city. He wants to let it breathe.
We were somewhere in Switzerland when I realized ANNA couldn’t not know.
Every mountain we passed? She had to figure out its name, its height, whether it was hikeable OR if it had a fun fact attached to it.
She’d pull out her phone, check the maps, spin around to match directions, and tell me: "That one’s the Mönch. 4,107 meters”
She didn’t need a plan. She needed knowledge.
Not in a checklist way. In a “tell me everything because the world is fascinating” way.
She’s spontaneous, excitable, always up for an adventure.
Basically, if Google Lens worked on mountains, she’d use it on every peak in sight.
WHAT SHE NEEDED
WHAT SHE NEEDED
I didn’t want more choices. I just wanted the right one.
Most travel tools help you pick based on time, price, or class. But no one tells you where the good side is—the side with the cows, castles, or sun spilling across the valley. If you don’t already know the route (or live on train forums), you’re guessing.
The problem isn’t bad design.
The problem is that most apps assume the journey doesn’t matter—only the destination does.
But for someone like me, the view is the point. And right now, that part is completely left to chance.
I didn’t want more choices. I just wanted the right one.
Most travel tools help you pick based on time, price, or class. But no one tells you where the good side is—the side with the cows, castles, or sun spilling across the valley. If you don’t already know the route (or live on train forums), you’re guessing.
The problem isn’t bad design.
The problem is that most apps assume the journey doesn’t matter—only the destination does.
But for someone like me, the view is the point. And right now, that part is completely left to chance.
Honestly, just a Google Lens. But for mountains.
Point. Click. Learn. That’s all.
When you’re up in the Alps with no signal and a 360° view, what do you do?
Open maps. Zoom in. Rotate. Hope your phone knows which way you’re facing. tap random peaks. Cross your fingers. Guess.
All she wanted was to look at a mountain and know.
Its name, its height or whether it’s bikeable.Even better if I could save it to look up later when I actually had internet.
Because for some people, wonder starts with information.
UX CHALLENGE
UX CHALLENGE
Design a travel feature that helps people choose the best side—for views, not just time or price.
Design a travel feature that helps people choose the best side—for views, not just time or price.
Design a tool that instantly identifies mountains and key landscape features using minimal effort and works even when you're offline.
WHAT I DESIGNED
You’re not sightseeing. You’re sleuthing.
This isn’t about planning the best itinerary.
It’s about giving curious minds something to chase in the moment.
Here’s how it works:
You’re out exploring, you spot a peak. The app helps you figure out what it is.
Point your phone. Get the mountain name, fun fact, maybe a hiking trail or how tall it is.
Doesn’t need a photo. Doesn’t need signal. It just works offline.
You can tap to save the place or move on. Curiosity satisfied.
YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAN. YOU JUST WANT VIBES.
INSTEAD OF A FULL APP EXPERIENCE, THIS ONE STARTS WITH A GENTLE NOTIFICATION.
“HEY, WANT A FEW LOW-EFFORT IDEAS FOR TODAY?”
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
YOU GET A DAILY NOTIFICATION—JUST ONE. NO PRESSURE.
TAP IF YOU WANT. IGNORE IF YOU DON’T.
IT OPENS INTO 2–3 CALM, CURATED SUGGESTIONS:
MAYBE A QUIET PARK. A COFFEE SPOT. A PLACE TO SIT BY THE WATER.
It’s not a to-do list. It’s a feel-like-it list.YOU CAN SHUFFLE, CHANGE YOUR MOOD, OR TURN IT OFF ENTIRELY.
IF YOU DO NOTHING, IT’LL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW. MAYBE.
YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAN. YOU JUST WANT VIBES.
INSTEAD OF A FULL APP EXPERIENCE, THIS ONE STARTS WITH A GENTLE NOTIFICATION.
“HEY, WANT A FEW LOW-EFFORT IDEAS FOR TODAY?”
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
YOU GET A DAILY NOTIFICATION—JUST ONE. NO PRESSURE.
TAP IF YOU WANT. IGNORE IF YOU DON’T.
IT OPENS INTO 2–3 CALM, CURATED SUGGESTIONS:
MAYBE A QUIET PARK. A COFFEE SPOT. A PLACE TO SIT BY THE WATER.
It’s not a to-do list. It’s a feel-like-it list.YOU CAN SHUFFLE, CHANGE YOUR MOOD, OR TURN IT OFF ENTIRELY.
IF YOU DO NOTHING, IT’LL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW. MAYBE.
This could grow into:
Offline "whats around me" radar A compass-style screen that shows nearby peaks or landmarks based on your current location and direction. Rotate your phone, see what’s out there.
Compare this view - Take a photo of the current view and the app shows historical images, seasonal differences, or famous moments from that same spot. For curious minds who love context — and a little magic.
BUT THE CORE IDEA STAYS HONEST:
Feed the question without breaking the moment.
No big camera apps. No Wikipedia rabbit holes. Just… oh! That’s what it was.
This could grow into:
Offline "whats around me" radar A compass-style screen that shows nearby peaks or landmarks based on your current location and direction. Rotate your phone, see what’s out there.
Compare this view - Take a photo of the current view and the app shows historical images, seasonal differences, or famous moments from that same spot. For curious minds who love context — and a little magic.
BUT THE CORE IDEA STAYS HONEST:
Feed the question without breaking the moment.
No big camera apps. No Wikipedia rabbit holes. Just… oh! That’s what it was.
This could grow into:
A “DO NOTHING TODAY” BUTTON
CHILL CHECK-INS – “WANT TO PAUSE FOR A FEW DAYS?”
“REPEAT THIS VIBE TOMORROW” TO STAY IN A FLOW
BUT THE CORE IDEA STAYS HONEST:
give the peaceful traveler just enough and only if they want it
KEY SCREENS: WIREFRAMES
KEY SCREENS: DESIGNS
DESIGNERS NOTES
DESIGNERS NOTES
DESIGNERS NOTES
I didn’t want more choices. I just wanted the right one.
Most travel tools help you pick based on time, price, or class. But no one tells you where the good side is—the side with the cows, castles, or sun spilling across the valley. If you don’t already know the route (or live on train forums), you’re guessing.
The problem isn’t bad design.
The problem is that most apps assume the journey doesn’t matter—only the destination does.
But for someone like me, the view is the point. And right now, that part is completely left to chance.
I didn’t want more choices. I just wanted the right one.
Most travel tools help you pick based on time, price, or class. But no one tells you where the good side is—the side with the cows, castles, or sun spilling across the valley. If you don’t already know the route (or live on train forums), you’re guessing.
The problem isn’t bad design.
The problem is that most apps assume the journey doesn’t matter—only the destination does.
But for someone like me, the view is the point. And right now, that part is completely left to chance.
This one’s for The one who pauses mid-hike, points at a far-off peak, and asks, “What mountain is that?”
Designing this meant building something that could keep up with that kind of wondering.
So I kept it simple. Minimal interface, no extra clicks, no distractions. Just point, name, and maybe save it for later.
Because this app wasn’t about performance or planning. It was about quiet curiosity and letting it lead the way.
Not every adventure needs a destination. Sometimes, it just needs an answer.