Explore Siquijor
Type: Mobile site design (desktop pending)
Role: Lead Designer, Researcher, Art Direction, Graphic Designer
The challenge
How might we help users explore the island of Siquijor?
Helping users navigate through Siquijor?
During my trip to the Philippines, I had the opportunity to explore Siquijor, and I was absolutely mesmerized by its breathtaking beauty. Interestingly, this stunning island wasn't originally part of my travel plans; it was actually recommended to me by a childhood friend who mentioned its increasing popularity in recent years. Intrigued by the idea, I delved into extensive research, scouring through numerous blogs, Reddit posts, and YouTube videos for information. However, I soon realized that the available resources presented conflicting details and were scattered across various platforms. There was no single comprehensive website that provided all the necessary information, forcing me to comb through multiple sources to gather what I needed.
While most of the advice I found proved to be accurate, I encountered outdated information here and there, further complicating my quest for knowledge. It was during this time that an idea struck me—a website that would serve as a one-stop hub for everything related to Siquijor. This comprehensive platform would encompass detailed insights into the island's attractions, tours, activities, events, and transportation options, serving as a valuable resource for every visitor seeking guidance.
User interviews
I have completed 3 interviews. These are 3 people I met during my travel in Siquijor and the childhood friend who visited it. My questions are:
Tell me about a time you travelled to Siquijor; how did you get around the island?
What peaked your interest before visiting Siquijor?
What types of information do you gather before visiting an island?
What do you want to experience on your travels?
Why is having the most recent information important?
Were there things you wish you knew before travelling to Siquijor?
What can we do to make your experience better?
Interview insights
Throughout the interview process, I came to realize that there are several approaches to travel planning. Some individuals engage in meticulous preparation, diligently booking their flights, ferries, tours, and rental vehicles well in advance. On the other hand, there are those who embrace spontaneity, arriving at the destination and arranging everything on the spot. However, regardless of their preferred style, they all expressed a shared frustration: the available information out there is often outdated, scattered, and occasionally inaccurate.
User personas
Michelle T.
Age: 28 years old
Occupation: Virtual Assistant
Nationality: Filipino
Interests: Travelling, surfing, hiking and drawing
About
Michelle T. is an avid traveller and surfer who loves to take weekend trips from her home in Cebu City to nearby islands.
Michelle’s goals and motivations
Apart from participating in physically demanding activities, she also loves to checkout local events. The last time she was in Siquijor, there were a few ‘fiestas’ in towns but she couldn’t participate because she was unsure of the schedule.
Michelle’s frustrations
Laura loves to plan her activities in advanced. She wishes to save other people’s time by having a dedicated website for Siquijor.
Quotes
“I feel like I spent a lot of time searching and matching all these blog posts that I read. I would’ve saved some time had this information been readily available from an official source.”
“There was a blog that recommended an amazing motor rental place but they had closed down during the lockdown so I was left walking until I found the next credible one.”
“It would be amazing to have events listed on the site and be updated frequently.”
Leslie Butler
Age: 24 years old
Occupation: Marketing graduate
Nationality: English
Interests: Trying different cuisines, canyoneering, diving
About
Laura is an adventurous traveler who possesses a spontaneous spirit. While she enjoys planning a few activities in advance, she also cherishes the freedom to explore at her own pace between those plans. Following a strict itinerary tends to cause her stress, so she prefers a more flexible approach. Additionally, Laura has a deep appreciation for nature and loves immersing herself in its wonders.
Leslie’s goals and motivations
Laura would love to find some detailed instructions on how to get to the sights.
Leslie’s frustrations
As a tourist, Laura encounters a challenge in finding the optimal means of transportation to reach various sights. She desires to save both time and unnecessary hassle, seeking the most convenient options available.
Traveling interests
Trying different cuisines, canyoneering, diving
Quotes
“I went to Kawasan Falls in Siquijor and was charged a guide fee. I didn’t have any cash on me so I had to go back to my hotel. I think it would’ve been a good information to have before going.”
“The jeepney was easy enough to navigate as it drove around the main road. But there are sights that I had to go to and no jeepneys went to them so I had to take a habal-habal. It wasn’t much of an inconvenience, but the drive there was amazing. Next time I would’ve loved to rent a scooter to drive there myself.
The solution
The solution we are proposing is a desktop/mobile website that caters to all kinds of tourists and even locals. Through this app, the visitors have all the updated information handy to help them navigate and plan their days more efficiently. For the locals, they can stay up-to-date on the events that are happening on the island.
The solution we are offering is unique because it will save the users some time and it makes it easier to visit Siquijor. The boost from tourism helps the locals as well.
Information architecture
Site map
User flow
Task 1: Leslie wants to find out which part of Siquijor to explore first so she can save money on gas.
Task 2: Leslie wants to save time by exploring Siquijor by municipality.
Branding
Our branding for Siquijor aims to capture the unique blend of fun, relaxation, and adventure that defines the island. We have made a conscious effort to highlight the island's vibrant, inclusive, and laid-back character. When you set foot on Siquijor, we want you to forget about everything else beyond the boundaries of this captivating island. The colors we have chosen for our branding are inspired by the flag of Siquijor, further symbolizing our connection to its rich heritage.
Logo
Typeface
Color palette
#ED1C26
R237 G28 B38
C0 M99 Y96 K0
#FAE80B
R8250 G232 B11
C5 M2 Y99 K0
#00BBE0
R0 G187 B224
C70 M2 Y8 K0
#555555
R85 G85 B85
C64 M56 Y55 K31
#FFFFFF
R255 G255 B255
C0 M0 Y0 K0
The website
The website serves as a comprehensive resource for visitors seeking a stress-free exploration of Siquijor. Its key features include detailed information on Sights, Tours, and Activities. Careful organization ensures that visitors can easily find what they are looking for without any hassle. The events section is thoughtfully designed to maximize space, displaying a wide range of events on a horizontal scale. Additionally, we have included an "Explore Siquijor" section that is divided by municipality. This feature proves invaluable in trip planning, allowing visitors to save time and fuel by focusing on one area at a time.
Details
Each sight page provides essential details, such as information about the location, recommended items to bring, fare details, and guidance on how to reach the destination.
