Via Eurasia
Project: Redesign Tool: Figma Timeline: 3 days Role: UI Designer
Via Eurasia is an extensive, long-distance cultural trail that stretches from Canterbury in the UK, traversing Italy, the Balkans, and western Turkey, before concluding in Demre on the Lycian coast.
Recognized as one of the oldest and most significant road networks globally, the app acts as a comprehensive guide for travelers, offering curated points of interest, dining recommendations, and real-time updates on trail conditions and weather.
I had the opportunity to redesign Via Eurasia's mobile app based on the director’s vision and standard visual design guidelines. While the fonts, colors, and icons had been chosen by a previous designer, my challenge was to retain the elements that worked well while suggesting meaningful improvements in other areas to enhance the overall user experience.
Scope
“Let’s imagine the NGO Culture Routes Society hired me to redesign several components of its app, where I was responsible to create a more user-friendly and visually appealing design.”
“Check Before You Go page does not serve a purpose, remove and re-distribute content.”
Keith Finley
-CEO
“The “Homepage” looks like a legal document and is uninviting.. there are also more screens than necessary”
Monet Goode
“The branding and colour feels outdated and unsophisticated. They also don’t follow accessibility guidelines.”
Channing Lee
Old UI Design
Considering the project requirements, I began by rethinking the user flow to ensure smoother navigation and a clear purpose across screens. By introducing a bottom navigation bar, I established a logical hierarchy, enabling users to seamlessly switch between key pages such as Routes, Guidebook, Weather, Filter and About.
Mid Fidelity prototypes
Updating the Library…
Old
New
I made subtle adjustments while preserving the charm of the original palette. Although Via Eurasia preferred blue, I opted for an earthy tone, which resonates with the essence of hiking and exploration. This warm, natural hue, complemented by vibrant orange accents, evokes a sense of adventure and connection to the outdoors while offering users an elegant and versatile visual experience.
The Logo
The new logo (right) is inspired by the flow of a trail, representing both the journey and the organic paths taken in nature. The spiral-like form reflects movement, discovery, and continuity, making it a more timeless and flexible icon.
I opted for an earthy, neutral tone to stay true to the essence of hiking and outdoor adventure, ensuring that the logo seamlessly integrates with the app’s overall aesthetic. This new design offers a more modern, minimalist look while still maintaining the spirit of exploration.
Typography
Components
Before & After
Home
Routes
+Filter
Selected Routes /
Points of Interest
+
About
Key Learnings
To achieve a seamless redesign, it is essential to thoroughly review and understand the original material. Asking questions and maintaining consistency in themes help ensure a cohesive and well-integrated design.
Retrospective
Simple designs do not always mean easier execution. Consistently using a single font throughout a design can enhance clarity and visual harmony.