Millennial-Focused Engagement: Designing Westgate Resorts' App
As the lead designer, I embarked on a collaborative effort with our team and Westgate Resorts to answer the fundamental question: "Why do we want an app?"
CLIENT: Westgate Resorts
ROLE: Lead Designer, Teknikos
Westgate Resorts sought an application to bridge a connection gap with their millennial demographic, aiming to redefine engagement in the hospitality industry. Our collaboration revealed that prioritizing the app as a payment utility first and marketing platform second would drive its utility and success.
By leveraging Xamarin, we ensured seamless development across multiple OS’, streamlining accessibility and functionality. We also established a unified design system and component library to maintain brand and UX consistency across digital properties, enhancing user experience and strengthening Westgate's brand presence.
In the initial development phase, our focus was on creating a utility for timeshare owners to efficiently manage payments while optimizing the platform for marketing materials. The app's simple architecture laid the foundation for intuitive user interaction.
Mobile check-in was another opportunity to bring members into the application, driving engagement and removing friction from the experience of being a Westgate Resorts owner.
The app's simple architecture laid the foundation for intuitive user interaction. Key actions were centralized in the primary navigation area for easy access while secondary content was strategically organized within a hamburger navigation. This ensured visibility without overwhelming users.
Through the creation of a suite of components, we ensured that Westgate Resorts had the autonomy to maintain and update their app seamlessly. This holistic approach not only enhances user experience but also empowers Westgate Resorts with valuable insights about their users, enabling tailored content delivery and fostering ongoing engagement with their audience.