The Hostel Co
Client:
The Hostel Co
Role:
Visual & Ux Designer
Service:
website & app design
Year:
2025-present
Overview
Role: Sole UI/UX Designer
Platform: Mobile App (from scratch) + Responsive Website (redesign)
Duration: ~8 months (iterative)
Team: Founder (product direction), Developer (direct collaboration)
Tools: Figma (UI, Prototyping, Microinteractions)
Context: Early-stage startup with no existing app and an underperforming website. I owned end-to-end design, collaborated daily with the founder, and worked closely with the developer for implementation.
The existing experience made it difficult for users to find and trust a hostel quickly.
Key Issues
Search was not prominent → slowed the primary task
Homepage prioritized visuals over utility
No structured discovery (offers, events, curated picks)
First app version felt basic and lacked product depth
Constraints
No direct user interviews (relied on founder’s user feedback)
Solo designer → no internal design critique loop
Tight timelines for launch
1) Search-First Experience (Website)
Moved to a large, central search bar with supporting visuals below
Aligned UI with primary intent: find a location fast
2) Structured Discovery (App)
Introduced guided sections:
Top Locations (Seasonal) — adapts to travel trends
Top Picks — curated recommendations
Events — adds experience layer
Loyalty Offers — communicates value early
3) Clear Information Architecture
Home → Search → Listings/Property → Pre-purchase → Post-purchase
Supporting tabs: History, Offers, Events
Focus on low friction and clarity
4) Value Visibility
Surfaced offers early instead of burying them in the flow
Helped users understand benefits of using the platform
5) System & Interaction
Card-based layouts for quick scanning
Consistent spacing, typography, and components
Prototyped flows and microinteractions in Figma
Mobile app designed and launched
Website redesigned with clearer hierarchy and purpose
Product evolved from basic UI → structured, intent-driven experience
Qualitative Impact
Faster path to search and discovery
Reduced confusion in navigation
Better alignment between founder vision and user needs
Continuous improvement through iterations and real implementation feedback
Learnings
Real products require iteration, not perfection
Solo ownership builds strong decision-making
Product thinking develops through collaboration and shipping
Next Steps
Direct user research for validation
Personalization based on behavior
Further refinement of visual hierarchy and discovery
