Airbnb Connect was the first full UX design project I developed using Adobe XD, created in response to a D&AD New Blood negotiated brief set by Airbnb. The goal was to make travel more accessible and appealing to 18–24-year-olds, a key demographic with rising interest in budget-friendly, experience-driven travel.
I created Airbnb Connect, a conceptual feature within the Airbnb ecosystem that allowed young travellers to book together or connect with others who shared similar interests and travel times. The app used an opt-in matching system that leveraged Airbnb’s existing in-app messaging, allowing users to find potential travel companions based on filters like preferred destination, budget and hobbies.
To encourage regular use and reward community engagement, I introduced a points-based system, where users earned rewards for booking trips and interacting within the platform. These points could be redeemed for discount vouchers toward future stays, helping drive both retention and brand loyalty.
All designs were developed with a strong respect for Airbnb’s existing brand identity, ensuring the interface felt consistent and native to the wider app, while introducing innovative elements to enhance user discovery and social travel. The UI followed a clean, modular layout and prioritised simplicity, engagement and clarity across all screens.
This project laid the foundation for my UX practice and represents how McHugh Media approaches product design: with strategy, creativity and user empathy at the core.