Roam is a mobile app that I developed as part of my Masters in Graphic Design final thesis. It came to life after months of careful research, concepting, and notebooks full of sketches, wireframes, and moodboards. Roam is geared towards individuals who don't have the time or money to invest in traveling abroad, but who also consider themselves travel enthusiasts. Through a live-updating feed of user-supplied photos and videos, Roam users can live vicariously and serendipitously through fellow "Roamers", bringing the wonder of wanderlust to the palm of their hand.

What sets Roam apart from other social networking apps is that it would theoretically be able to wirelessly connect to and project any photo or video onto designated surfaces (think "smart walls") surrounding the user, creating a completely immersive space. Any user could virtually transport themselves — for minutes or even hours — to anywhere in the world. Roam was initially intended purely for individual recreation, but it could also very easily be incorporated into schools, museums, themed events, businesses, and as promotion for travel agencies.

Final logo design

Initial brainstorming, mind-mapping, doodles + sketches.

Mood board inspiration: structure, color, grid, and typography

Roam for iPad: Sign-in screen

By default, users see a live updating stream of photos and videos supplied by fellow "Roamers".

Users can search as broadly or narrowly as desired — by keyword, phrase, or location. The top hashtags and suggested results will automatically show up.

Users have instant and easy access to their own profile, camera, camera roll, and settings via the menu sidebar.

Users' profiles incorporate a customizable profile picture, header photo, and a feed of their own uploads. From here, they can also see and manage their followers.

Roam uses the native iOS camera app to seamlessly take pictures and videos.

Roam also introduces the option to choose a picture or video directly from the native camera roll.

Roam lets users browse through real maps, using geotagging technology to locate and feature places that other Roamers have tagged.

When Roam users press and hold an image or video from their home feed, they're presented with 3 options: instantly activate, save to their favorites, or get more information.

If users choose to get more information about a picture or video, it enlarges and gives the location as well as information about the user that uploaded the media. From here, users can activate it, save it to their favorites, or return to their home feed.

The activated icon overlay lets the user know their image or video has been successfully connected to the space around them. To disconnect, they can simply tap their screen again.

Roam can be synched to designated smart walls using a wireless bluetooth connection, creating a completely immersive environment.

Roam can also be used in any user's own home, creating infinitely new and exciting environments.

ROAM : DIGITAL WANDERLUST