F42 V1

F42 is a travel app designed for the inhabitants of the fictional planet OX3, aimed at facilitating their quest to find the meaning of life through galactic exploration. Recognizing the challenges of this very profound search, often symbolized by the elusive number 42, the app caters specifically to the unique visual needs of these aliens. It simplifies the discovery of new destinations, encouraging them to see the world from different perspectives and embrace the mysteries of the unknown.

GOALS

Intuitive and Personalized Interface: Prioritize a user-centric design that integrates personalized functionalities to meet the unique preferences of OX3 inhabitants.
Seamless and Efficient Travel Planning: Ensure all aspects of the travel preparation process are streamlined and efficient, specifically tailored to their unique needs.
Enhance Usability with visual elements: Leverage advanced visual design elements to enhance usability and provide a superior user experience.

RESEARCH

The concept and design constraints for this app are inspired by various speculative sources that explore life on an icy planet. The unique appearance and needs of these aliens, distinct from human requirements, are based on these exploratory scenarios, which blend published research with a touch of fiction to fully flesh out the user profile of these extraterrestrial beings.
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Here’s what I’ve gathered-

The aliens on a planet with a red moon perceive the world differently due to a blue filter over their eyes, which influences their entirely blue appearance as they derive energy from the moon. This blue lens alters how they see colors.
To replicate their vision and ensure the app's color scheme is effective, I simulated their visual perspective using a blue cellophane sheet. This helped me select colors that are impactful under this blue filter.- These aliens have a physiology similar to humans from the chest down but have uniquely narrow fingers, impacting how they interact with devices.
They prioritize functionality and prefer viewing all necessary information in a single frame without the need to scroll.
On OX3, every function is associated with a physical button, aligning with the aliens’ preference for immediate action upon interaction.
In designing the app, I considered using glassmorphism and neumorphism styles to create a visual hierarchy. However, neumorphism proved more effective under the blue filter.
Lastly, these aliens read from right to left, influencing the app’s layout and navigational design.

An example of the effect of a blue filter on objects in the field of vision

VISUAL DESIGN PROCESS

Initially, I aimed to use colors that would transform dramatically under a blue filter, like substituting red for black, and avoided using black and white to give the screens a unique, science-experiment feel. However, this approach didn’t pan out as expected. I experimented by using a cellophane sheet and applying a digital filter in Figma, but excessive natural light interfered with the results. So, I shifted my strategy to use one impactful color with the filter on, complemented by muted tones to balance the visual intensity.

Additionally, I incorporated chrome treatments on some assets to ensure they stand out without overwhelming the other elements on the screen.

> COLORS

> TYPOGRAPHY

Originally, I planned to use display fonts that are typically challenging for humans to read. However, as I progressed in my design, I realized the importance of balancing the visual elements on the screen with fonts that are simple yet effective. It became crucial to select a font that not only looked clean when aligned to the right but was also easy to read.

ASSETS

NAVIGATION

I designed the buttons to resemble bubbles that indent when pressed, giving them a subtle and interactive appearance. These buttons are crafted to blend seamlessly into the screen rather than immediately catching the eye. They are finished in dark silver chrome to complement, rather than overpower, the primary blue color of the interface.

PROTOTYPE

Prototype of the booking user flow

HIGH FIDELITY SCREENS

REFLECTION

I had a lot of fun with this!
As challenging as this project was, it helped me remain empathetic and think about the purpose of every element I was adding to the screen. Interestingly, I noticed that my designs often inadvertently leaned towards human tendencies, even when I was consciously trying to avoid them.
I recognized that there was a lot I could do differently if I were to do it again and so I did.

Check out V2 here.

F42 V1- A TRAVEL APP FOR ALIENS