Lonely Items

Case Study / Mobile App / UI UX

A digital thrift store at hostels where GenZ backpackers can share, give away, or pick up free travel essentials from fellow travelers.

Time

5 weeks

Team

Min Htet Aung

Lika kadagishvili

Star

My role

UX Researcher

UI Design

Tools

Figma

Google Suits

Time

5 weeks

Team

Min Htet Aung

Lika kadagishvili

Star

My role

UX Researcher

UI Design

Tools

Figma

Google Suits

Helping GenZ Backpackers stretch their budget—while staying true to their values

Lonely Planet has guided generations of travelers with its trusted recommendations and global insights. But with changing travel behaviors and values, there's a need to realign with a new audience: Gen Z. These young backpackers prioritize sustainability, community, and conscious consumption. Yet, many struggle with planning, often leading to unnecessary purchases and overconsumption. They seek ways to stretch their budget by reusing and sharing items while staying true to their values. The goal is to understand and support Gen Z’s desire for meaningful, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious travel.

An opportunity to digitize the analog in the backpacker experience

To identify key gaps and opportunities to better support modern travelers' evolving needs, we analyzed the Gen Z backpacker journey across pre-travel, during-travel, and post-travel phases, focusing on the tools and services used throughout by examining Lonely Planet within the broader travel ecosystem.

Facebook

X(Twitter)

Facebook

Calendar

TikTok

TikTok

Pinterest

Blogs

Books

Threads

Websites

Magazine

Friends/Family

Travel Agency

Influencers

Differenf artists

IG

Instagram

TV

Movies

Songs

Youtube

Youtube

X(Twitter)

Ads

Facebook

Facebook

TikTok

TikTok

Books

Threads

Websites

IG

IG

Youtube

Google Map

Researching the weather

& cultural norms

Reddit

ChatGPT

Friends/Family

Google Search

Travel Agency

Google Sheet

Google Docs

Tripadvisor

Passport

Notes

Insurance

Vaccination

Visa

Packing reusable

items

Buying secondhand

Renting travel gear

First aid kit

Budget Tracking Apps

Weather app

Hostel World

Bank apps

Discussion with Friends

Currency Changing

Language apps

City Guides

Hostel World

Booking.Com


Agoda.App

Contacting friends

Travel agency

Eco-friendly

hostels

sleeper trains

Tripadvisor app

Google Translate

Air.bnb

Couch.Surfing

Currency Changing

Restaurant

Public transport

Roaming Internet

Toilet

Friend/Family

Checking weather

Sim Card

Tour guide

Airport Wifi

Weather App

Bolt

Grab

TADA

Viabus

Metro Transit

Google Map

Google Translate

City Guides

Rent a transport

Public transport

Volunteering for sustainability

Other travellers

Viabus

Hotels

Eco-friendly Hostels

Thrift Stores

Eating

Grab

Google Map

Bolt

Checking weather

TADA

Metro Transit

QueQ

Food Panda

LINEMAN

Calendar

Weather App

Website

Books

Airbnb Experience

Meetup app

TADA

Grab

Google Translate

Metro Transit

Roadtrippers app

Google Map

Camera

Bolt

Destination Guides

Instagram

Viabus

Taking photos & Videos

Interactive Maps

HostelWorld

Trying local food

Walking, biking, or using public transport

Adventure activities (e.g., hiking, diving)

Visiting landmarks, museums, and cultural sites

Volunteering for sustainability

Asking local

Portable Charger

Physical Tickets or Passes

Eco-friendly Hostels

Thrift Stores

Couchsurfing

iOverlander:

For discovering camping spots, fuel stations, and more

Komoot App:

For outdoor trails and hiking routes

Facebook

Tinder

Grindr

World Tracker

Phrase Books

Google Translate

Strangers

Social events

Meetup app

Airbnb Experience

Facebook

X(Twitter)

TikTok

Threads

Blogs

Instagram

Family & Friends

Diary

Youtube

Blogs

Instagram

Facebook

Diary

Notes

Word of mouth

Photos

Youtube

Messaging Apps

Facebook

Unpacking

Restocking for next trip

Swapping or donating

travel gear

Cleaning

Laundry

Settling the debt

Organizing souvenirs

Reselling items

that are no longer needed

Budget Tracking Apps

To-do list or planner apps

Banking apps

Fitness & wellness apps

Volunteering for sustainability

Lonely Planet Product

Digital Tools

Analog Tools & Activities

From ecosystem map, we found out that there are some phases where Lonely Planet’s services lack. Among them, we chose Micro Planning and Settling Phase as our opportunity area to digitalize the analog experience during the trip because, despite all the digital tools available, many backpackers still rely on offline methods. We want to help them as an essential tool that would be specifically needed for backpackers and the first thing they remembered on their trip.

No trusted, flexible way for backpackers to access gear on the go

We explored existing marketplaces to see how travelers access essentials. Physical options were often out of reach, and digital ones lacked trust and timing flexibility. While others focus on sustainability, no platform truly supports Gen Z backpackers looking for affordable, secure, and accessible gear on the go. That’s where we saw the gap—and the opportunity.

Criteria

Facebook

Marketplace

Freecycle

Carousell

Hostels

Thrift

Stores

Lonely Items

Being safe from getting scammed 

Not having to wait to get the item

Not having to wade through unnecessary items

Finding items within walking distance

Being able to reserve the item

The biggest struggle? Knowing what to pack—and what you’ll actually need

We interviewed 22 backpackers including 11 male and 5 female travelers, from countries like UK, Belgium, Australia, France & Georgia. Some were traveling solo, others in groups, but most were on extended trips of at least 3 months, exploring Southeast Asia.

Our goal was to understand the real struggles Gen Z backpackers face throughout their journey. In the first round, we focused on broad questions—what challenges they encountered, how they prepared, and what surprised them. Many shared the same issue: figuring out what to bring and what they'd actually end up needing.

In the second round, we asked more targeted questions around packing, sharing, and item management. We noticed a pattern—many travelers left behind useful items they no longer needed, often unsure what to do with them.

From light packers to over-preparers, each reveals unique challenges and behaviors

After analyzing patterns from our interviews , we created three backpacker personas based on packing habits, budget strategies, and how they find essentials on the road. From light packers to over-preparers, each reveals unique challenges and behaviors—highlighting key opportunities to support Gen Z travelers.

Under-packed Uma

“I like traveling light affordably, so often I end up forgetting things I need”

Pain Points

I often forget essential items. 

It’s hard to get all needed items and also stay sustainable.

Packing process is overwhelming and boring.

Workarounds

I ask hostels if there are any left-behind items. 

I try to borrow or exchange, but sometimes I need to buy a new one.

I ask experienced travelers to make it easy.

Perfectly packed Pedro

“I always plan ahead, but unexpected situations arise during a trip, forcing me to find essential items.”

Pain Points

Despite planning, long trips require items I didn’t anticipate.

Based on my next destination, I often need to rearrange packing.

I struggle to balance packing light with having what I truly need.

Workarounds

I look for the needed items ungently.

I donate or give away what I don’t need for the next destination.

I bring multiple purposes items.

Over packed Oren

“I always pack too much and end up with things I don’t use.”

Pain Points

I overpack, and I realize I don’t need most of the items I bring.

I am afraid to not be prepared for emergency situations.  

Carrying all the unnecessary gear makes traveling uncomfortable and tiring.

Workarounds

Sometimes I leave extra items at the hostels. 

I pack everything I might need for any possible situation.

I end up spending money to ship items home.

Behind the counter: One keeps it green, the other keeps it running

We also identified two hostel staff personas from our interviews. These represent the people who manage left-behind items and interact daily with backpackers—making them essential players in the item-sharing ecosystem.

Sustainable Som

“We always have items left behind, and I’d love to make them useful again."

Pain Points

Wants to ensure the left-behind items don’t go to waste.

Needs something to make her hostel stand out.

When the left-behind items pile up, I have to go and donate them.

Workarounds

Tells new backpackers at the hostel that they can ask her to look for the items they need.

Promotes the hostel's sustainability efforts by offering left-behind items for free to attract Gen Z backpackers who are eco-conscious.

Collaborates with local organizations to manage excess items efficiently.

Busy Bella

“With so many guests coming and going, we lack time to check the storage for items new backpackers might need.”

Pain Points

Not sure the owners will come back to pick up the items or not.

Doesn’t have time to give away the left-behind items to guests.

Can’t keep the left-behind items for long periods.

Workarounds

Contacts the owners and delivers to them if they request.

Only gives items to guests upon request but doesn’t promote this service.

Rotates storage by periodically donating older unclaimed items to the staffs and charity organization.

Hostels hold onto left-behind items—but there’s no system for reuse or sharing

We also spoke with hostel staffs from 8 hostels to understand their side of the story. Most confirmed that backpackers regularly leave items behind, and many hostels keep these things—sometimes for reuse, sometimes just piling up.

Lonely Items

A digital thrift store at hostels where GenZ backpackers can share, give away, or pick up free travel essentials from fellow travelers.

A system that lets backpackers pick up free items from hostels nearby

Hostels list left-behind items they’re willing to pass on.

Backpackers browse and reserve what they need before or during their stay.

They pick up the items directly at the hostel—no shipping, no waste.

Let’s see

how might Sustainable Som get rid of the left behind items at her hostel.

Sustainable

Som

Sustainable Som wants to list some left behind items so she opens the account firstly.

Sustainable

Som

Som starts listing items in the markplace.

Great !

Sustainable Som successfully listed the left behind items and they are now visible and can be reserved and picked up by anyone who needs them.

Now

How might Under packed Uma get a free power bank that is already listed at Sustainable Som’s Hostel and reduce e-waste.

Underpacked

Uma

 Underpacked Uma needs a powerbank on the way and starts browsing. The app displays available items in nearby hostels, starting from the closest to the farthest, based on her current location.

Underpacked

Uma

Uma reserved the item and set out to the hotel to pick up.

Sustainable

Som

Som scans the QR code from Uma, views the reservation details and then confirms the pickup.

Sustainable

Som

Underpacked

Uma

 Now Underpacked Uma successfully picks up the powerbank at the Sustainable Som Hostel.

Successful!

Now Under packed Uma gets a free power bank and gives it a sustainable second life and Sustainable Som can now get rid of the power bank instead of letting it pile up in storage.

The underlying structure of the app to guide users smoothly from search to pickup

There are two sitemaps for both backpackers and hostels.

Backpacker (18 pages)

Home/Items Nearby

0.0

Reservation

1.0

My Profile

3.0

Notification

2.0

Hostel Profile

4.0

Item’s Detail

4.1

Setting

3.2

Edit Profile

3.2.1

Switch Account

3.1

Confirm Reservation

4.1.1

Successful

4.1.1.1

Reservation Detail (QR)

4.1.1.1.1

Onboarding

A1

User Selection

B1

Create Account

B1.1.1

Forgot Password

B1.1.2

Login

B1.1

Terms & Conditions

B1.1.1.1

Hostel Operator (22 Pages)

Home/List

0.0

Reservation

1.0

My Profile

3.0

Notification

2.0

Add Item

0.1

Adding Confirmation

0.1.1

Successful

0.1.1.1

Backpacker’s Profile

1.3

Scan QR

1.2

Cancellation

1.1.1

Pickup Confirmation

1.2.1

Successful

1.2.1.1

Reservation Details

1.1

Setting

3.1

Switch Account

3.2

Edit Profile

3.1.1

Onboarding

A1

User Selection

B1

Create Account

B1.1.1

Forgot Password

B1.1.2

Login

B1.1

Terms & Conditions

B1.1.1.1

From listing to pickup: what the flow looks like for every user

For both sides, there are a total four user flows: listing item process, reservation process, picking up process and giving away item process.

Listing Process of the Hostel Operator

Picking Up Process of the Hostel Operator

Reservation Process of the Backpacker

Pick Up Process of the Backpacker

From uncertainty to clarity—what this project revealed about process and people

While creating UI design, we focused on creating a calm, utility-first experience. The goal was to keep the interface clean, clear, and easy to navigate, even in unpredictable environments.

We drew inspiration from Lonely Planet’s brand palette, adapting its iconic blue, yellow, and green into a digital context:

#1D508D

#FEC83E

#1FC98D

#FFFFFF

#0D0D0D

Helvetica Neue

ABCDEFGHIJKLM

NOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklm

nopqrstuvwxyz

1234567890!@#$

From uncertainty to clarity—what this project revealed about process and people

This project helped me not only grow as a teammate and designer but also understand the core problem we set out to solve—how Gen Z backpackers can access essential travel items in a smarter, more sustainable way.

Through research, interviews, and concept development, I learned how to break down complex user journeys and translate real pain points into meaningful design opportunities. It also improved my time management, storytelling, and collaboration skills.

Working with a supportive and balanced team taught me how to contribute confidently, even outside my comfort zone, and reinforced how important clear communication and shared responsibility are to a successful outcome.

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@2025 Sandi Zaw Myint(Star)