PROBLEM

My design peers, Ryan Parajas and Sarah Sauerzoph, and I were tasked with developing a mobile app concept centered around a topic space we were all passionate about, which was travel. To identify a common challenge, we interviewed family, friends, and other university students to understand what they personally found was most stressful about the entire traveling process, from start to finish. Through our research, we discovered that packing was a recurring pain point among the majority of our interviewees. This insight guided us to develop a solution aimed at helping travelers pack more efficiently in an organized and manageable way.

Additionally, we recognized that packing challenges extend beyond just individual travelers. Many trips, such as camping excursions, require shared essentials like portable stoves or tents, as not everyone has those as readily available as they do with things like toothbrushes or shampoo. This realization highlighted the need for a packing solution that not only assists individuals but also facilitates group coordination, ensuring all necessary items are accounted for and efficiently distributed among travelers.

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM

The main pain point our interviewees shared about packing was realizing they had forgotten essential items—often when it was already too late. This typically happens because people rely on memory alone, mentally noting what they need and tossing items into their bags without a clear, visible checklist. Without a structured reference, it’s easy to overlook important things.

While creating a personal packing list may seem like a simple solution, what if that list itself is incomplete from the start?

That’s where PAKR comes in. When users create a packing list, they can answer a few quick questions about their trip details, and PAKR will generate a customized checklist of essentials tailored to their specific travel needs. Additionally, we incorporated a collaborative feature that allows users to share packing lists and assign items to each other—perfect for group trips where shared gear and responsibilities come into play.

DESIGN PROCESS

Ideate

Define

Design

Test

Refine

Empathize

RESEARCH, PLANNING & COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

MID-FIDELITY DESIGN & PROTOTYPING

HIGH-FIDELITY DESIGN & MOCKUPS

CLOSING REMARKS

This project was one of my favorites from the BFA Graphic Design program at SJSU because it addressed a pain point I personally experience every time I have to pack. As someone who loves to travel and explore new experiences, I know firsthand that preparing for travel can be one of the most mentally demanding aspects of a trip—you really have to mind the details and double- and triple-check everything.

If we were given more time to develop this application, I would have liked to broaden our user testing across those who dislike travel and those who love it. Insight from both ends of the spectrum would definitely help us pinpoint areas that might be too lengthy or not as intuitive for those who don't like to travel or come up with more helpful features for those who do love to get out there in the world.

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