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Kirill Komarov
Nordseeküste App – Tourism Experience
Nordseeküste App – Tourism Experience
Nordseeküste App – Tourism Experience
Figma • Photoshop• After Effects • CapCut
Project details
Project details
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Led the product design of the mobile experience and coordinated another designer
Results
150+ mobile screens
10 core product areas
3 connected user roles
1 unified digital ecosystem
Client
Client
NDA
Project
Project
Mobile app
Platform
Platform
iOS / Android
Location
Location
Carolinensiel, Germany
Carolinensiel,
Germany
Carolinensiel,
Germany
Year
Year
2025 – 2026
About the project
About the project
The project focused on a complete redesign of the Nordseeküste tourism app for Carolinensiel, Germany. The goal was to simplify the guest journey around the ServiceCard while making registration, booking, payments, profile management and local services easier to use.
The project focused on a complete redesign of the Nordseeküste tourism app for Carolinensiel, Germany. The goal was to simplify the guest journey around the ServiceCard while making registration, booking, payments, profile management and local services easier to use.
The Problem
The Problem
Getting a ServiceCard involved registration, payment, booking and activation across guests, accommodation providers, city administration and external systems.
The challenge was to turn this partly manual process into a clear digital journey while keeping the operational complexity behind the scenes.
Getting a ServiceCard involved registration, payment, booking and activation across guests, accommodation providers, city administration and external systems.
The challenge was to turn this partly manual process into a clear digital journey while keeping the operational complexity behind the scenes.
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
The opportunity was not simply to redesign the interface, but to rethink how guests interact with the entire service – from their first registration to using the ServiceCard throughout their stay.
The opportunity was not simply to redesign the interface, but to rethink how guests interact with the entire service – from their first registration to using the ServiceCard throughout their stay.
Understanding the ecosystem
Understanding the ecosystem
Research and Problem
Definition
One app. Multiple roles. One connected service.
One app. Multiple roles. One connected service.
The app is one part of a larger system connecting guests, accommodation providers, city administration and external services.
The app is one part of a larger system connecting guests, accommodation providers, city administration and external services.
Guest → App → Host → City → External systems
Guest → App → Host → City → External systems
Each role has different responsibilities, so the mobile experience had to stay simple while supporting more complex processes behind the scenes.
Each role has different responsibilities, so the mobile experience had to stay simple while supporting more complex processes behind the scenes.
Understanding users
Understanding users
Different roles, different needs.
Different roles, different needs.
I analysed the needs and responsibilities of the people involved in the service to understand where friction appeared and which tasks belonged to each role.
I analysed the needs and responsibilities of the people involved in the service to understand where friction appeared and which tasks belonged to each role.
Guests
Guests
Need a simple way to register, book, activate and use their ServiceCard.
Need a simple way to register, book, activate and use their ServiceCard.
Accommodation providers
Accommodation providers
Need to verify guests, manage registrations and activate cards.
Need to verify guests, manage registrations and activate cards.
City administration
City administration
Needs reliable data and tools to manage the wider ServiceCard ecosystem.
Needs reliable data and tools to manage the wider ServiceCard ecosystem.
This helped define what should happen inside the app – and what should remain in the connected web services.
This helped define what should happen inside the app – and what should remain in the connected web services.
Core Flow
Core Flow
The main journey was redesigned around the real-world sequence of events:
The main journey was redesigned around the real-world sequence of events:
Register → Arrive → Verify → Activate → Use
Register → Arrive → Verify → Activate → Use
The goal was to make every step clear while removing unnecessary actions from the guest.
The goal was to make every step clear while removing unnecessary actions from the guest.
Design Decisions
Design Decisions
Removing unnecessary steps.
Removing unnecessary steps.
The redesign moved operational complexity away from the guest and simplified the most important interactions.
The redesign moved operational complexity away from the guest and simplified the most important interactions.
No manual activation
No manual activation
The accommodation provider activates the card after arrival.
The accommodation provider activates the card after arrival.
Booking number + PIN
Booking number + PIN
A simple combination connects the guest with their reservation.
A simple combination connects the guest with their reservation.
Reusable data
Reusable data
Personal and guest data can be saved and reused for future bookings.
Personal and guest data can be saved and reused for future bookings.
Clear card status
Clear card status
Guests can immediately understand whether their card is reserved, active or expired.
Guests can immediately understand whether their card is reserved, active or expired.
Digital instead of paper
Digital instead of paper
The ServiceCard is always available directly in the app.
The ServiceCard is always available directly in the app.
From redesign to product rethink
From redesign to product rethink
From redesign to
product rethink
More than a visual redesign.
More than a visual redesign.
The product was redesigned at both the interface and interaction level, introducing new functionality across the main guest journey.
The product was redesigned at both the interface and interaction level, introducing new functionality across the main guest journey.
Smarter booking
Smarter booking
Autofill, saved data and reusable guest information.
Autofill, saved data and reusable guest information.
Multiple guests
Multiple guests
Add several guests during booking or select previously saved guests.
Add several guests during booking or select previously saved guests.
Group booking
Group booking
Book for multiple guests without entering every guest individually.
Book for multiple guests without entering every guest individually.
Faster ServiceCard access
Faster ServiceCard access
Scan a code for the overnight card or quickly purchase a day card.
Scan a code for the overnight card or quickly purchase a day card.
Saved payments
Saved payments
Store payment methods for future bookings.
Store payment methods for future bookings.
Notifications
Notifications
Keep guests informed about important updates.
Keep guests informed about important updates.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Improved contrast, controls and interaction patterns.
Improved contrast, controls and interaction patterns.
Mobile Experience
Mobile Experience
Designing the guest journey.
Designing the guest journey.
The mobile experience was rebuilt around the key moments of the stay – from onboarding and registration to ServiceCard access and local services.
The mobile experience was rebuilt around the key moments of the stay – from onboarding and registration to ServiceCard access and local services.
Onboarding
Onboarding
A simple introduction helps guests understand the app and get started.
A simple introduction helps guests understand the app and get started.
Registration
Registration
Essential information is collected through a clearer, more structured flow.
Essential information is collected through a clearer, more structured flow.
ServiceCard
ServiceCard
The card brings stay information, validity and status together.
The card brings stay information, validity and status together.
QR Code
QR Code
Guests can quickly access and present their card when needed.
Guests can quickly access and present their card when needed.
Local Services
Local Services
Useful destination information and services are available in one place.
Useful destination information and services are available in one place.
ServiceCard
ServiceCard
One card for the entire stay.
One card for the entire stay.
The digital ServiceCard keeps the essential information in one place and clearly communicates its status throughout the stay.
The digital ServiceCard keeps the essential information in one place and clearly communicates its status throughout the stay.
Reserved
Reserved
The card is booked and ready to be activated after arrival.
The card is booked and ready to be activated after arrival.
Active
Active
The card is active and the QR code is ready to use.
The card is active and the QR code is ready to use.
Expired
Expired
The card has reached the end of its validity period.
The card has reached the end of its validity period.
Profile & Personalization
Profile & Personalization
A profile designed around the entire guest journey.
A profile designed around the entire guest journey.
The profile became a central place for managing personal information, travel companions, payments, notifications and account settings.
The profile became a central place for managing personal information, travel companions, payments, notifications and account settings.
Personal Profile
Personal Profile
A clear, familiar structure makes personal information easy to view and update.
A clear, familiar structure makes personal information easy to view and update.
Saved guests
Saved guests
Frequently travelling companions can be saved and reused when booking a ServiceCard.
Frequently travelling companions can be saved and reused when booking a ServiceCard.
Notifications
Notifications
Important updates and service information are collected in one dedicated place.
Important updates and service information are collected in one dedicated place.
Help & Support
Help & Support
FAQ, customer support and legal information are available directly from the profile.
FAQ, customer support and legal information are available directly from the profile.
Account & Security
Account & Security
Password settings, account management and deletion are kept together in a predictable structure.
Password settings, account management and deletion are kept together in a predictable structure.
Real-world Use
Real-world Use
Designing for the moments that matter.
Designing for the moments that matter.
The product was designed around real situations rather than isolated screens.
The product was designed around real situations rather than isolated screens.
Arrival & activation
Arrival & activation
The card becomes active after arrival and booking verification.
The card becomes active after arrival and booking verification.
QR Code
QR Code
Guests can quickly access and present their card when needed.
Guests can quickly access and present their card when needed.
During the stay
During the stay
The active card stays accessible without physical paperwork.
The active card stays accessible without physical paperwork.
Expiration
Expiration
The app clearly shows when the ServiceCard is no longer valid.
The app clearly shows when the ServiceCard is no longer valid.
Errors & Exceptions
Errors & Exceptions
Clear feedback explains what went wrong and what to do next.
Clear feedback explains what went wrong and what to do next.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Making the interface easier to use.
Making the interface easier to use.
Accessibility was addressed as part of the redesign, with improvements to contrast, button sizes and interaction patterns to make the interface clearer and more usable.
Accessibility was addressed as part of the redesign, with improvements to contrast, button sizes and interaction patterns to make the interface clearer and more usable.
Web Ecosystem
Web Ecosystem
The system behind the experience.
The system behind the experience.
The mobile app is supported by connected web services for accommodation providers and city administration.
The mobile app is supported by connected web services for accommodation providers and city administration.
Host Web Service
Host Web Service
Guest registration, ServiceCard management, activation, payments, guests and properties.
Guest registration, ServiceCard management, activation, payments, guests and properties.
City Administration
City Administration
Applications, properties, guests, ServiceCards and reporting.
Applications, properties, guests, ServiceCards and reporting.
The three layers work together: the guest uses the app, the host manages the stay, and the city oversees the system.
The three layers work together: the guest uses the app, the host manages the stay, and the city oversees the system.
Design System
Design System
A complete product redesign
A complete product redesign
A shared design system helped create consistency across the redesigned experience.
A shared design system helped create consistency across the redesigned experience.
Typography · Colour · Components · Forms · Cards · QR Codes · Statuses · Navigation
Typography · Colour · Components · Forms · Cards · QR Codes · Statuses · Navigation
The system was designed to support both usability and future product growth.
The system was designed to support both usability and future product growth.
Project Scale
Project Scale
Building a consistent product language.
Building a consistent product language.
150+
150+
mobile screens
mobile screens
10
10
core product areas
core product areas
3
3
connected user roles
connected user roles
1
1
unified digital ecosystem
unified digital ecosystem
The work covered the product from core booking flows to account management, ServiceCard usage and supporting services.
The work covered the product from core booking flows to account management, ServiceCard usage and supporting services.
Outcome
Outcome
A simpler digital guest experience.
A simpler digital guest experience.
For Guests
For Guests
Less paperwork and friction, with faster booking, easier ServiceCard access and reusable personal data.
Less paperwork and friction, with faster booking, easier ServiceCard access and reusable personal data.
For Accommodation Providers
For Accommodation Providers
A clearer process for guest registration, verification and ServiceCard activation.
A clearer process for guest registration, verification and ServiceCard activation.
For City Administration
For City Administration
A connected digital ecosystem for managing guests, providers and ServiceCards.
A connected digital ecosystem for managing guests, providers and ServiceCards.
User Feedback
User Feedback
What users said after launch.
What users said after launch.
Public reviews highlighted the improvements the redesign aimed to achieve: a simpler experience, faster activation and less paperwork.
Public reviews highlighted the improvements the redesign aimed to achieve: a simpler experience, faster activation and less paperwork.
“The new version is much easier to use.”
“...in two minutes.”
“Exactly how simple you want it to be on holiday.”
“The new version is much easier to use.”
“...in two minutes.”
“Exactly how simple you want it to be on holiday.”
My Role
My Role
Product design & design leadership
Product design & design leadership
I led the product design direction and coordinated another designer throughout the project.
I led the product design direction and coordinated another designer throughout the project.
I worked closely with the Product Manager and Junior Designer through regular working sessions, conducted the product analysis and researched the German regulatory context around personal data and tourist tax.
I worked closely with the Product Manager and Junior Designer through regular working sessions, conducted the product analysis and researched the German regulatory context around personal data and tourist tax.
The work required balancing user needs, business requirements, operational processes and regulatory constraints within one connected product.
The work required balancing user needs, business requirements, operational processes and regulatory constraints within one connected product.
Reflection
Reflection
What I learned
What I learned
Design the system, not just the interface
Design the system, not just the interface
The mobile experience only works when the surrounding operational processes work with it.
The mobile experience only works when the surrounding operational processes work with it.
Remove responsibility from the user
Remove responsibility from the user
Complex business rules should be handled by the product rather than passed on to the guest.
Complex business rules should be handled by the product rather than passed on to the guest.
Operational products need operational thinking
Operational products need operational thinking
Understanding legislation, payment processes and responsibilities was as important as designing the interface.
Understanding legislation, payment processes and responsibilities was as important as designing the interface.
Design leadership is part of product design
Design leadership is part of product design
Aligning designers, product management and business requirements was an essential part of the work.
Aligning designers, product management and business requirements was an essential part of the work.
My Approach
I published the final design on Behance, where you can explore it in more detail.
This project provided valuable experience in redesigning a complex digital service, balancing guest needs, business requirements, operational processes and regulatory constraints while building a more seamless tourism experience from registration to everyday use.
Selected projects
Selected projects
Email me
Copyright © 2025
Email me
Copyright © 2025
Email me
Copyright © 2025