Designing TrailBound: A Hiking Journal
From Idea to Framework
This week, my digital product idea began moving from concept to something more tangible. What started as an abstract plan for a hiking journal is now taking shape through a detailed component breakdown and the first round of sketches. By thinking carefully about what would make the journal both practical and engaging, I’ve built a framework that makes sense for the market while also feeling aligned with how hikers want to reflect on their outdoor experiences.
I started by asking what hikers need beyond a navigation app. Research shows that journaling outdoors can improve mindfulness, memory retention, and reduce stress by encouraging deeper reflection on time spent in nature (Frontiers in Psychology). With this in mind, I focused on striking a balance between structure and freedom. The journal would provide prompts for logging essential details; mileage, conditions, and wildlife spotted, while also leaving space for creativity, like personal reflections, drawings, or pasted-in photos.
Sketching Out the Vision
Example sketches of a “gear checklist” and a “end-of-season” reflection. Serving as a fun and dynamic way of keeping the consumer engaged.
The first real progress came through sketching. On paper, I could test out how different components might live side by side. I explored logbook-style entries with structured boxes for details, as well as more open spreads where reflections and sketches could flow freely. Seeing these layouts on paper made the abstract vision concrete. I could suddenly imagine a user sitting after a long hike, jotting down highlights and sketching a mountain vista in the designated box.
These sketches were then translated into Illustrator, where typography and spacing came into play. While sketching was fluid and creative, Illustrator provided the polish needed to see how the journal might function as a finished product. Together, these steps brought me from concept toward something far more usable and user-friendly.
Balancing Structure and Flexibility
One of the challenges I encountered was finding the right balance between too much guidance and too little. A rigid, overly structured journal could make reflection feel like filling out paperwork, while one that was too open might leave users uncertain about where to start. To solve this, I leaned toward an adjustable design approach. Core components like the trail log pages would act as the backbone, while other sections like mileage trackers, gear lists, or seasonal reflections could be repeated or rearranged as needed.
This approach reflects a larger principle in user-centered design: creating tools that adapt to the user rather than forcing users to adapt to them (Nielsen Norman Group). By keeping the structure flexible, I can ensure the journal appeals to casual hikers while still offering enough depth for those who want to track detailed progress over time.
Building Toward a Complete Product
What excites me most at this stage is how clear the product vision has become. The component breakdown now includes a customizable cover page, structured trail logs, trackers for mileage and goals, seasonal reflection pages, and creative extras like quote spreads and photo collages. Even though I’d estimate the project is about 30% complete, it already feels like something a user could pick up and enjoy.
The next step will be to fully build the design in Illustrator so it can function in both printable and digital formats. This way, hikers can carry a physical copy on the trail or log their reflections digitally at home. The groundwork is in place, and I’m proud of how thoughtfully the project is evolving. TrailBound is no longer just an idea, it’s a product with real potential to help people pause, reflect, and connect more deeply with the outdoor experiences they love.
See more of my Week 3 Product Development Journal
