The course project: REI project brief

If you haven't already, scroll up to the top, enter your email, and get the course materials sent directly to your inbox.

To get the most out of this course, you'll need a Figma account!

This is because we built the course workbook in Figma. It's also because it has become the industry standard in the US. Sign up for Figma here.

While you can use Figma in your browser, we recommend downloading the desktop app.

As part of this free UX course, you'll solve a problem for a company called REI. It's an outdoor recreation service company. 

So let's dive into the project brief.

We've also included the project brief in the Figma workbook, so if you don't have your workbook yet, go download it at kickassux.com under the free UX course page. 

Alright, let's get started.

REI is currently the best place to find and shop for top-of-the-line hiking equipment and apparel. 

Please go take a look at the website by going to rei.com. 

With this UX project, your goal is to help people find nearby hikes and backpacking trips so they can plan for their next adventure. 

Currently the website doesn't have any interactive resources to plan outdoor adventures.

Next, let's talk about the two main users who use this type of service. 

First, are day hikers who look for hikes within a few hours of where they live. 

Second, are backpackers will look for multi-day overnight trips in the outdoors.

Keep in mind that hikers and backpackers, the users, can be subdivided into two user types.

First, are non-registered users. These are people who have not registered to the REI site yet. That means that they cannot add ratings, comments, or write trip reports. 

And second are REI users. These are users who have an REI account, which allows them to add ratings, trip reports, and save hikes.

Now that you have a general understanding of the users, let's go over a few reasons why you should build this solution.

First, so that REI becomes the hub for everything hiking and backpacking so that people can not only purchase gear, but also know where to go on the next adventure. 

Second, hiking and backpacking is on the rise. From 2006 to 2019, the number of hikers increased by 66% in the US. 

And third, it's a great monetization opportunity as it allows REI to make product recommendations based on the type of hike a user selects.

Let's now talk about the features to consider. These are examples of solutions that you might or might not consider depending on where your problem definition takes you.

• Find hikes. 
• View interactive map 
• See hikes on the map 
• View wildfires on the map 
• Search for hikes
• Filter hikes by: 
• ~Rating
• ~Mileage
• ~Elevation gain
• ~Trail features. For example, coast, river, waterfalls, cetera.
• ~Animals allowed 
• ~Kid-friendly 
• ~Parking pass (for example, non-required, National Park Pass, etc.)
• Submit a trip report (which means the ability to write a hike review, add pictures, rating, etc) 
• Share a hike (for example, link, text, email, etc.)
  

One more time, just to be clear. We are not saying that you have to design for all these use cases. This is just for inspiration and to get your creative juices going. 

Remember that all good UX starts with a solid understanding of the problem. 

So you don't go and start designing solutions before you deeply understand the problem.

Alright, and before we wrap up, let's talk about the three main competitors.

• AllTrails
• Gaia 
• WTA (Washington Trails Association) 
  

That's it for the project brief. That's all you need to get started. 

Finally, remember that we also included the project brief in the Figma workbook. So if you don't have your workbook yet, go download it at kickassux.com under the free UX course page. 

Good luck completing this project.  You got this.