JBYORKDESIGN
DALLAS, TX
GOTX
Go Texas, See it All!
TIMELINE
Oct - Nov 2025
PLATFORM
Mobile Application
MY ROLE
Lead UI Designer
INTRODUCTION
GOTX is an interactive map-based vacation planner app that helps visitors discover things to do across Texas. Users can plan trips, explore new destinations, and earn badges by visiting and engaging with locations throughout the state.
GOTX was created over the course of about 6 weeks as my classes' final UI/UX project, bringing together the skills and concepts explored throughout the semester
MY ROLE
This was a five-person group project in which we were tasked with designing an app of our choosing and designing eight mobile screens. I served as the lead UI designer, responsible for developing the wireframes, designing all visual assets (including badges, maps, and profile icons) and building the high-fidelity prototypes and mockups.
GOAL
The goal of GOTX was to create an easy-to-use vacation planning app for families that also celebrates the spirit and culture of Texas.
Design with families in mind
The app is designed to support collaborative vacation planning for families and friends, allowing users to join shared trip plans and contribute throughout the planning process. Accessibility is a key priority, particularly for younger users who may be involved.
Stand out from other map apps
With the abundance of existing map-based apps, it was important for GOTX to differentiate itself. Gamifying exploration provided a meaningful way to stand out while also appealing to younger audiences. Rather than functioning solely as a GPS, GOTX was designed as an all-in-one Texas travel experience, featuring city bios, top destinations, and engaging visuals that set it apart from traditional map apps.
Bleed TX
Every visual element in GOTX was to be intentionally designed to reflect Texas pride. From the color palette to the badges and icons. We wanted to build a fully Texas-themed design system that reinforces the app’s identity and created a consistent, immersive experience.
DEVELOPMENT
Designing GOTX was initially intimidating, especially given the short timeline. My first responsibility was to design app branding and determine how to effectively design an interactive map-based experience. Unlike traditional apps that rely primarily on button-based navigation, GOTX required users to interact through scrolling, zooming, and navigating the map itself. This meant designing with a greater level of user freedom in mind than in any project I had previously worked on.
Branding & Logo
The design process began by establishing a clear visual direction that would guide the overall aesthetic of the app. Because GOTX is rooted in exploration and Texas pride, it was important that the visual identity reflected both a sense of adventure and a strong connection to the state.
Wireframes
Designing the wireframes was a collaborative process that brought together ideas from across the team. Through iteration and discussion, we developed a high-fidelity wireframe that clearly illustrated the direction of the app. This stage was especially valuable in aligning the team, as up until that point each member had a slightly different vision for the project. The wireframes ultimately served as a shared blueprint, ensuring everyone was on the same page before moving into final design and prototyping.
Badges & Icons
Designing the badge system was by far the most time-intensive part of the project. Because gamification was central to GOTX, the badges needed to feel meaningful, rewarding, and distinctly Texas-themed. Creating a unique icon for each major city across the state was an ambitious challenge, but it was essential to achieving the level of immersion and personality we envisioned for the app.
Each badge had to be recognizable at a small scale while still capturing something unique about its city, whether through landmarks, cultural references, or simple visual cues.
Although the process was meticulous and repetitive at times, it ultimately strengthened the overall project. The badge system became one of the most engaging elements of GOTX, reinforcing exploration and giving users a tangible sense of accomplishment as they discovered new cities across Texas.
