Crafting the Destination Bach Experience

Overview

Destination Bach is a company dedicated to simplifying bachelor and bachelorette party planning. They create packages that make the planning process easier and more enjoyable for guests. After running their business with a simple website for a year, the owners wanted to develop a mobile app to automate more processes and provide a unique party planning experience. They approached me to create their logo and branding and to design their first mobile app. The project team included developers in Los Angeles, Portland, and Ukraine, and I led the design and branding efforts.

Problem Statement

The goal of this project was to design a mobile app that would automate the party planning process and provide a seamless experience for guests. Additionally, the app needed to include an admin panel to make maintenance easy for the owners. The challenge was to create a cohesive brand identity and an intuitive app that would enhance the user experience.

Users & Audience

The app is designed for individuals planning bachelor and bachelorette parties across the United States. It is open to all genders and aims to simplify the decision-making and planning process. The primary users are guests looking to book party packages, while the secondary users are the company owners who manage the app’s content and offerings through the admin panel.

Roles & Responsibilities

As the lead designer, I was responsible for creating the logo and branding and designing the user and admin interfaces of the app. I worked closely with the development team based in Los Angeles, Portland, and Ukraine. My role involved conducting brand interviews, designing wireframes and high-fidelity screens, and ensuring seamless communication and collaboration with the development team using Slack and Figma.

Scope & Constraints

The project had a timeline of nearly a year, from initial branding to app launch. The scope included creating a logo, a branding handbook, wireframes, and high-fidelity designs for both user and admin interfaces. Coordinating with a distributed development team across different time zones posed a challenge, requiring efficient communication and project management.

Process

Branding: After conducting a brand interview and gathering inspiration from the owners, I designed the logo using Adobe Illustrator and compiled a branding handbook using Adobe InDesign. The branding established a visual identity that resonated with the company's mission and target audience.

Wireframes: I created wireframes for the app and presented them to the owners and the development team to identify any technical limitations and confirm the project scope. This iterative process ensured that the design met both user needs and technical requirements.

High-Fidelity Designs: Once the wireframes were approved, I moved on to creating high-fidelity designs using Figma. These designs included screens for users to find and book party packages and for admins to maintain up-to-date listings. I collaborated with the development team to make necessary updates and used Figma to share design specs and assets.

Collaboration: I used Slack for ongoing communication with the development team, ensuring that everyone was aligned and any issues were addressed promptly. This facilitated smooth collaboration despite the geographical distance between team members.

Outcomes & Lessons Learned

The Destination Bach app launched in September 2020 after nearly a year of design, testing, and development. We collected valuable user feedback and analytics during the beta phase to inform updates before the full US launch. Reflecting on this project, I learned the importance of thorough branding, iterative design, and effective remote collaboration. These strategies ensured the creation of a cohesive, user-friendly app that meets both business goals and user needs. In future projects, I will continue to emphasize clear communication and iterative testing to drive successful outcomes.

Destination Bach Branding Examples