An experience design project focusing on an immersive booking experience that excites and intrigues the user to go on an interstellar trip of a lifetime to the Area 52 hotel in the Nevada desert. The experience features space age bars, out of this world rooms and excursions for even the most experienced travellers.
Figma
6 Weeks
Experience Design
Design a bespoke, responsive website that allows users to book and customise their trip while being immersed in the experience. Creating a visual identity and building from ideation to prototype, finally translating prototype to a functional site that fully immerses users in the booking flow.
This project explored how an immersive booking experience could excite users while clearly communicating brand identity with the final outcome being a responsive website with clear structure, engaging visuals, and intuitive interaction. Research into themed hotels, booking flows, and sci-fi aesthetics shaped the experience visually and user mapping on accommodation and excursion bookings made sure the process had the prospective users needs met.
The part of this project that I feel represents my skill, style and attention to detail is the Live Site, but you will also find all the other deliverables and all project files down there too. Jump straight to it with the button below, or take it slow and scroll through my breakdown of the features.
The landing page is visually led, drawing users in while presenting key information without creating cognitive overload. The imagery is carefully balanced, providing just enough context to answer the fundamental question: is this an experience I want to engage with?
The quarters section reads like a mission briefing, framing each room as an adventure rather than simply a space to book. Amenities are presented as pills for quick scanning, with supporting copy for users who want more detail. The offering caters to singles, couples, and families, ensuring a clear solution for every need. The video highlights my favourite micro interaction: a tractor beam inspired hover state on the Book Now button.
The refreshments section utilises a deliberately dark background to emphasise the softly lit, glowing facilities on offer. The experience design centres on inclusivity, with distinct spaces tailored to different audiences: an adults only mixologist bar, a family friendly Galactic Grill, and a couples restaurant, the Nebula Nook.
The booking flow is clean and frictionless. Users select check in and check out dates before choosing their room. When a room is selected, the hero image responds dynamically, providing an immediate visual preview. This interaction reinforces clarity, ensuring users feel confident about what they are booking before committing.
After securing a room, users can add excursions, with the bundle displayed first to encourage the full Area 52 experience. A considered interaction prevents users from accidentally missing their best value option. If individual excursions are selected before the bundle, adding the bundle automatically removes the individual selections to prevent duplication. A one click restore option remains for users who intentionally want both. It is a small detail that reflects an understanding of real decision making in the moment.
The basket keeps users in control until payment. Room selections can be adjusted freely, excursions removed with a single tap, and multiple payment options reduce friction at the final step. Terms, privacy notices, and security assurances are clearly visible, reinforcing trust and confirming that user data is handled responsibly and in line with GDPR.
Explore the iframe below, use the filters panel below to choose from the design file, prototype, research board or click to open the live site.
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