The lack of decent work opportunities and economic investment in many Middle Eastern countries, particularly in small towns and rural areas, has contributed to economic stagnation and social challenges, leading to migration away from these regions. This project aims to address these issues by promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable solution. The proposed app focuses on creating job opportunities within local communities by encouraging environmentally friendly and culturally immersive tourism.

By connecting tourists with local guides, preserving ecosystems, and showcasing cultural heritage, the app fosters economic growth and social integration, empowering local populations and supporting reverse migration.

This project began with a focus on one of the United Nations' key goals: Decent work and economic growth. According to the UN, "Decent work means opportunities for everyone to engage in productive work that provides a fair income, workplace security, and social protection for families, along with better prospects for personal development and social integration." A continued lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investment, and under-consumption lead to the erosion of the fundamental social contract that underpins democratic societies: the idea that everyone should benefit from progress.

Our Criteria

Attracting international financial resources

Focus on eco-tourism

Offering consultation and access to local information for foreign tourists before their trip

Building trust and a sense of security for foreign tourists traveling to Iran

Establishing direct communication between local guides and foreign tourists

A reference for expanding and producing accurate and up-to-date tourism information

Providing access to information in English for foreign tourists about Iran

Helping to provide more job opportunities and income generation in small towns and villages

The design process for this project consists of three main phases, moving from left to right: Understand, Explore, and Build. Each of these phases is divided into two sub-phases, which gradually guide the design toward its completion and final outcome.

This process is iterative, meaning that to achieve a satisfactory result and create a product that aligns as closely as possible with user needs, revisiting earlier stages and re-evaluating the design is inevitable. This approach not only allows for continuous improvement but also enables the identification and optimization of weaknesses, ensuring the final product meets user expectations and requirements.

This model is derived from the Double Diamond framework, which consolidates these six stages into four key phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver.

Logo: Structure & Idea

Iranian designs are rich with curved lines and shapes, often abstracted from nature, especially flowers. This logo, inspired by traditional carpet patterns, has been created in a minimalist style. It represents a sprout enclosed within a square frame, resembling a tile.

Logo: Color

The logo design features two traditional Iranian colors: Persian Red, inspired by the Iranian rose, and Persian Blue, drawn from the tilework of Iranian mosques. Three shades of gray are used for the typography and surrounding elements to maintain a neutral tone, enhancing the clarity and focus on the form.

The design process for this project consists of three main phases, moving from left to right: Understand, Explore, and Build. Each of these phases is divided into two sub-phases, which gradually guide the design toward its completion and final outcome.

Initially, a comprehensive usability test was conducted to thoroughly evaluate the user experience. At the same time, all pages were meticulously examined for accessibility and potential coding issues that might arise in the future.

The color codes were optimized to enhance clarity and ensure design consistency, while static images on the pages were replaced with new visuals that align with the design objectives.

To further improve user accessibility, a menu featuring four icons was added to the bottom of the page. Lastly, the design of the intermediate pages was completed to ensure that navigation within the application is both optimized and user-friendly.

Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women worldwide are affected by some form of color blindness. Conducting color blindness tests helps developers modify app designs so that all users, regardless of their visual abilities, can utilize them. By adhering to international standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), applications can be made accessible to all users, including those with color blindness, thereby attracting a larger audience. For this reason, efforts have been made to use images and colors with appropriate contrast in page designs.

Examples of color blindness tests from the app pages, from left to right:

Protanomaly: Makes red somewhat resemble green.
Deuteranomaly: Makes green somewhat resemble red.
Protanopia: Complete blindness to red-green colors.
Deuteranopia: Complete blindness to red-green colors.
Tritanomaly: Confuses blue-green, purple-red, and yellow-pink colors.
Tritanopia: Tritanomaly plus reduced brightness of colors.
Achromatopsia: Complete color blindness (total color vision deficiency).

Market Value

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for travel experiences that are not only enjoyable but also benefit the environment and local communities. By connecting tourists with local tour guides, the app supports economic growth in small towns and villages, creating long-term income opportunities for local households which aligns with SDG 8's goal of "Decent Work and Economic Growth," ensuring sustainable livelihoods through tourism.

Sustainable Impact

By promoting eco-tourism, this app helps preserve unique ecosystems and cultural traditions that may be threatened by mass tourism. For instance, in countries like Iran, eco-tourism can play a vital role in conserving the rich biodiversity of its landscapes, from the lush forests of the north to the arid deserts of the central plateau. It also helps protect traditions and handicrafts that are an integral part of local culture and heritage.

Social Impact

The app also provides a platform for local communities to share their knowledge and stories, offering tourists an authentic experience while generating income for local people. This economic empowerment can further encourage communities to preserve their natural and cultural resources, creating a positive cycle in which conservation efforts are continuously supported by tourism revenues.