Christina Poon
Overview
MyVisa aims to simplify the visa application process for Canadian passport holders. The app addresses the confusion and difficulties travellers face in the visa application process. MyVisa provides an app-based solution that guides users through each step, ensures key documents are not missed, and connects users to embassies and consulates. The development included extensive user research, ideation, prototype testing, and iterations for an improved user experience.
Problem
As Canadian passport holders often apply for visas to travel abroad, many people find it increasingly difficult and troublesome to undergo the lengthy visa application process.
“43% of travellers are confused or afraid of making a mistake when applying for their visas.”
- Stanislas Berteloot | VisaHQ
Goal
Making the visa process easy from origin to destination for Canadian passport holders.
leisure travellers professional expats international students
expedited applicants families
Solution
myVisa is a mobile app that aims to help those people by guiding users through the application process while maintaining transparency, trust, and accessibility.
Guidance for every type of visa, in any country.
Get connected to the nearest embassies and consulates.
Apply for a visa without missing key steps or documents.
Keep all your travel documents in one place.
a promotional video about the product
01
Research
Understanding the problem space and our user's needs
Benchmark Analysis
We began by conducting market research to develop an insight into the current products being offered and the areas of opportunity we could fill.
User Interviews
After understanding the current market opportunities, we proceeded to conduct user interviews. We talked to different travellers in order to identify key pain points.
From the research, we were able to gain 5 key insights, which we then translated into possible features to be implemented. Here is a summary of our findings:
02
Ideation
Developing & defining the User Experience
Using a system map to prioritize our ideas
After the in-depth research, we began the visual and ideation process, while keeping our targeted audience in mind. We started by listing all the features we wanted to include and prioritize the list by using the MoSCoW method. Through this process, we were able to consolidate all our ideas into a system requirements chart to help us create the system map.
Explorating and iterating throughout the whole process
We began the process by creating low-fidelity wireframes for our app layout. After multiple rounds of iterations and receiving feedback from our professors, we collectively finalized our product and started prototyping.
03
High feidlity
Bringing the experience together with a clear design system
Designing with a clear visual system
After completing the mid-fidelity wireframes and compiling our UI research, we summarized the vision for our brand identity with 4 key terms:
Professional
Calming
Engaging
Clean
We then established a style guide, which helped us maintain consistency throughout our high-fidelity prototypes.
As applying for visas can be stressful, we wanted to create a straightforward flow that would make the users feel at ease. We used calming colours and some illustrations for our brand. We chose a calming blue tone as our main colour to provide the value of security and professionalism. We used a standard san serif typeface followed the accessibility guidelines and used a font size that would be comfortable for our users.
04
User testing & Iterations
Listening to our user's feedbacks and reiterating our prototypes
Iterating based on user feedbacks
international students
leisure travellers
professional expats
expedited applicants
families
MyVisa Prototype
Designed to streamline the visa application for Canadian passport holders
Simple and secure onboarding
Sign up with a few simple steps
Handheld experience in applying for any Visas
Unsure what visa to apply for? We can guide you by answering a few simple questions.
Access all your important documents
myVisa stores all your documents in one place. No need to worry when you don't have them. You can edit and add new documentation to ensure everything is up-to-date.
Find an embassy closest to you
You can find the closest embassy and book an appointment with them through the app.
In conclusion
For the Future
Work with travel officers and have a more professional opinion during the design process.
Conduct user testing after iteration of design to ensure the effectiveness of the updated UI
Being able to work with other designers on this extensive application helped expose me to a wide range of perspectives and ideas that I would've never considered. Being able to conduct user interviews and user testing helped us build a better understanding of how we can improve our user experience. Through this process, we were able to reiterate any details we missed and helped identify our core features.
If we got another chance to do this again, we would want to work with a travel officer during the design process. Since all of us, designers do not have extensive knowledge of applying for a visa, having a professional opinion would help myVisa become closer to being a realizable application.
