Aurora Springs:Theme Park Native iOS App
A Superhero-Inspired Theme Park App
Role: UX/UI Designer
Platform: Native iOS
Tools: Figma,
Goal
Design a mobile experience that gives every guest a more seamless, memorable, and personal day in the park. Interactive features like quests, XP rewards, and customizable plans were added not just to enhance engagement, but to make the visit feel uniquely theirs.
Most park apps focus on logistics. Aurora Springs needed more: a tool that could guide, delight, and reward—without overwhelming. The challenge was to balance functionality with immersion, while supporting both first-time visitors and theme park power users.
The Challenge
Personas
-
Emma, the Planner Mom
Seeks smooth coordination, family-friendly filters, and real-time updates.
-
Luis, the First-Time Visitor
Needs orientation, suggested paths, and clear access to essentials.
-
Jordan, the Power Gamer
Driven by challenges, XP rewards, and avatar-based progression.
Core Features
-
Explore park districts, locate rides, food, and amenities with ease.
-
Complete time-based challenges and unlock collectible rewards.
-
Add attractions, dining, and shows into a personal schedule.
-
Pick a custom avatar that sets the tone for your journey.
-
Browse menus, customize meals, and schedule pickups.
-
Access lost & found, sensory-friendly tools, and guest services.
Design Process
Journey maps, personas, and flows to shape early structure
Lo-fi wireframes through Figma, refined into high-fidelity mocks
Developed a modular design system to keep branding cohesive across screens
Competitive audit: Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld
Get important information regarding all the attractions and rides. Find the accurate wait times, join the queue, or update you plans.
Stay informed and customize notifications. Locate guest relations and find support options.
Complete missions, earn rewards, and customize the experience.
Browse food options and place online orders for mobile pickup. Place reservations and more, right from the app.
Easy access to tickets and reservations. Use the app as your ticket to access the park and more.
Developed a scalable design system with consistent patterns across more than 15 screens
Created a fully branded native app experience that feels immersive, intuitive, and personal
Balanced guest utility with park storytelling—turning trip planning into part of the adventure
Showcased complex UX flows (food ordering, AR missions, ticket management) with visual clarity
Results
World-building matters: Even in UX, storytelling can guide visual and interaction design
Avoid assumptions: Guests don’t want more features—they want smarter ones that serve their day
Gamification isn’t a silver bullet: It only works when it aligns with user motivations and is easy to opt into
Small touches add depth: Personal avatars, park lore, and tone of voice go a long way in making the app feel alive
