In June 2022, I led the Experience Design Workshop for the Masters in Visual Brand Design, Business Design, and Interaction Design at Domus Academy. The workshop was developed for Ostello Bello, a leading Italian hostel chain known for its vibrant community-driven approach to hospitality.
The brief challenged students to explore the future of tourism, travel, and hospitality. By analyzing emerging trends and best practices, the project teams envisioned future scenarios for the evolving identitiy and mission of Ostello Bello. Key themes included reimagining membership models to attract travelers and locals , enhancing sustainability through innovative services, and using new technologies to redefine the experience of Ostello Bello’s guests.
The workshop provided creative and strategic solutions for Ostello Bello, developing concepts that integrated branding, communication, digital design & user experience to foster deeper engagement with travelers and the local community.
Project’s process & milestones
The workshop was scheduled along 5 weeks, with the overall project iteration and activities planned using the double diamond framework.
Selected project
ClubO!
by Rita Rivezzi, Noosheen Nariman Mehta, Devyani Chaudhari, Jia Yuxia
The project aims to provide Ostello Bello with an innovative and exciting platform to create a community and a sense of belonging. This is achieved through the ClubO!, which is curated with experiences that bring together various people from different walks of life that connect over their love for culture, travel, and a zeal to explore.
The unique membership model created for Ostello Bello includes various interesting events in partnership with different brands that cater to a large section of the audience, an interesting Summer Fest that holds some of the most exciting summer events in the city, a Discover the Unknown section that explores the hidden beauty of Italy through blogs and itineraries and the Grand Tour that allows for flexible and easy travel through the 8 destinations of Ostello Bello around Italy.
Selected project
Oblo
by Fangyi Chen, Marcela Gomez Vives, Peerath Lilitsuwan, Praewploy Suwanmala
OBLO is an interactive platform that enhances travel experiences with an immersive approach to planning. Developed through research into tourism trends and Ostello Bello’s identity, it addresses the evolving needs of modern travelers. Today’s tourists seek deeper cultural immersion but often face time constraints that limit exploration beyond popular attractions.
OBLO simplifies this by offering a user-friendly interface that curates personalized itineraries based on travelers’ moods and preferences. It integrates local attraction recommendations, allowing users to plan visits that align with their interests, from hidden gems to cultural sites, creating a more authentic experience.
Selected project
Bello Personality
Ghadir El Akli Mansour, Sofia Bernardini, Vidhi Marda, Arjun Gaind, Prasita Chaisen
Inspired by the “Where’s Wally?” puzzle books, Bello Personality reimagines traditional travel guides by introducing an interactive experience. Travelers take a personality test that assigns them one of four custom identities—Tiger of Bovisa, Fish of Navigli, Dragon of Duomo, or Bear of Brera– each linked to a tailor-made itinerary. Through the platform’s website, guests can explore their personality type, access personalized recommendations, and connect with fellow travelers.
Drawing on the themes of membership, innovation, and sustainability, the concept envisions a new relationship between travelers and their destinations—one that fosters deeper connections, encourages local engagement, and enhances the overall hospitality experience.
Selected project
UpNext
by Anusha Sharma, Shreya Yadav, Suphalak Kucharo, Vaishnavi Bachala
The goal was to create a branded experience for hostel guests—both local and international—that seamlessly integrates membership, sustainability, and innovation. The project began with research into the hostel chain, its guests, and emerging trends in the tourism industry. This led to an exploration of the emotional aspects of visiting a place, which served as the foundation for a concept centered on sustainability and transformational experiences. Up Next is a series of immersive and inspiring pop-up experiences, complemented by a prototype website, app, launch video, and visual brand design. Each experience was uniquely branded to enhance its promotion and appeal.
Design for the New Normal
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