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Designers

Fateme Mohammadi Maklavani, Hossein Mohammadi Maklavani, Marjan Ekhlasi

Year

2025

Category

New Talent

Country

United States

School

University of Applied Sciences Schwäbisch Gmünd

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Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
Early versions required too many screens to reach or return to key features, so we simplified the flow for quicker access. Language was also a major barrier. We solved this by adding a bilingual chat feature, allowing users to talk in their own languages. Later, we found that international users couldn’t make payments to Iran due to sanctions. Usability testing showed this was a critical pain point, so we began integrating a blockchain-based system for secure, direct payments.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
We had chosen a high-contrast color palette to improve clarity and visibility, especially on data-heavy pages. But during a final review, we realized that a significant number of people have different types of color blindness, and we weren’t sure if our application was fully accessible for this group. Since the app relies heavily on visual data, we ran a color-blind accessibility test to ensure that all text over images, icons, and key interface elements remained legible and usable for these users. It was a powerful reminder that inclusive design isn’t just about language or layout, but also about visual communication.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
Even though this is still a prototype, we’re open to future sponsorship. We see it as a starting point to explore how design can improve lives in Iran and across the Middle East, while also helping preserve culture and the environment. By focusing on eco-tourism, we hope to support local communities, protect their stories and traditions, and share them with future generations. In five years, I hope this project grows into a real platform that brings people together through meaningful, sustainable travel.

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