GoVolt. UX for sustainable mobility
GoVolt. UX for sustainable mobility
GoVolt. UX for sustainable mobility
GoVolt is a scooter-sharing startup born in 2019 in Milan.
The aim of the company is to find easy and quick solutions for transports, starting from the fact people are concerned about the inefficiency of public transports and tired to get stuck in traffic. GoVolt also look at sustainability as a resource to fight pollution, that’s why all their assets are electric. They opted for a bright and minimalistic brand identity, both for their scooters and their online presence. The app I was in charge to design would meet the same vibes, speaking to a public that has an active lifestyle, eco-friendly and smart.
GoVolt is a scooter-sharing startup born in 2019 in Milan.
The aim of the company is to find easy and quick solutions for transports, starting from the fact people are concerned about the inefficiency of public transports and tired to get stuck in traffic. GoVolt also look at sustainability as a resource to fight pollution, that’s why all their assets are electric. They opted for a bright and minimalistic brand identity, both for their scooters and their online presence. The app I was in charge to design would meet the same vibes, speaking to a public that has an active lifestyle, eco-friendly and smart.
GoVolt is a scooter-sharing startup born in 2019 in Milan.
The aim of the company is to find easy and quick solutions for transports, starting from the fact people are concerned about the inefficiency of public transports and tired to get stuck in traffic. GoVolt also look at sustainability as a resource to fight pollution, that’s why all their assets are electric. They opted for a bright and minimalistic brand identity, both for their scooters and their online presence. The app I was in charge to design would meet the same vibes, speaking to a public that has an active lifestyle, eco-friendly and smart.
Role:
UX UI
Date:
2019-2020
Industry:
Sharing mobility
Client:
GoVolt
In a big city like Milan, traffic can be very heavy, especially during rush hours. Public transports isn’t always reliable and sometimes doesn’t reach all the spots. Getting around quickly and efficiently seem to be an issue, and pollution is getting worse every year.
In a big city like Milan, traffic can be very heavy, especially during rush hours. Public transports isn’t always reliable and sometimes doesn’t reach all the spots. Getting around quickly and efficiently seem to be an issue, and pollution is getting worse every year.
In a big city like Milan, traffic can be very heavy, especially during rush hours. Public transports isn’t always reliable and sometimes doesn’t reach all the spots. Getting around quickly and efficiently seem to be an issue, and pollution is getting worse every year.
Key achievements
Key achievements
User-centered scooter-sharing design
for sustainable mobility
User-centered scooter-sharing design
for sustainable mobility
User-centered scooter-sharing design
for sustainable mobility
Promoting sustainable urban mobility in a major city like Milan, the app needed to be easy to use and focused on kick scooter reservations, allowing busy city dwellers to make fast, user-friendly, and eco-friendly bookings.
To encourage users to adopt sustainable transportation, the app included a reward system for reducing CO₂ emissions. Each ride calculates real-time carbon savings, converting them into credits for future trips. New users receive a preloaded wallet to encourage adoption, while long-term incentives promote continued eco-friendly commuting.
Promoting sustainable urban mobility in a major city like Milan, the app needed to be easy to use and focused on kick scooter reservations, allowing busy city dwellers to make fast, user-friendly, and eco-friendly bookings.
To better understand the real needs of the customers and to solve their main pain points throughout the design, I’ve followed a 3 steps process:
To better understand the real needs of the customers and to solve their main pain points throughout the design, I’ve followed a 3 steps process:
Discovery
User Interviews, Surveys, Personas, User Stories
Discovery
User Interviews, Surveys, Personas, User Stories
Discovery
User Interviews, Surveys, Personas, User Stories
Ideation
HMW questions, App architecture and user flow, Mid-fi wireframes
Ideation
HMW questions, App architecture and user flow, Mid-fi wireframes
Ideation
HMW questions, App architecture and user flow, Mid-fi wireframes
Iteration
Design system, Hi-fi wireframes, Design iterations
Iteration
Design system, Hi-fi wireframes, Design iterations
Iteration
Design system, Hi-fi wireframes, Design iterations
Discovery
User Interviews, Surveys, Personas, User Stories
Ideation
HMW questions, App architecture and user flow, Mid-fi wireframes
Iteration
Design system, Hi-fi wireframes, Design iterations
Discovery: insights into commuter behaviour
Discovery: insights into commuter behaviour
Discovery: insights into commuter behaviour
After understanding the company's goals for this project,
I conducted user interviews and surveys, focusing on convenience, availability and sustainability - the three main features the business prioritised - to verify if they truly engaged customers.
Then a Persona came out, helping better visualise the data we’ve collected in an ideal user, with their paint points and wishes.
Promoting sustainable urban mobility in a major city like Milan, the app needed to be easy to use and focused on kick scooter reservations, allowing busy city dwellers to make fast, user-friendly, and eco-friendly bookings.
Interviews
Interviews
Here’s some thoughts from the interviews:
Here’s some thoughts from the interviews:
Diego Guerini
🛠️ Lawyer
🎂 36 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes
“I usually go to work by car but the traffic is so heavy that I waste a lot of time waiting”.
Riccardo Lucchesi
🛠️ Art Director
🎂 43 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes, but not in the city
“I wish I can have an alternative to public transports that are always packed”.
Laura Granieri
🛠️ Student
🎂 23 y/o
🏙️ Hinterland
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
"Commuting from outside Milan without a car is hard, public transport is unreliable and green options are costly."
Mattia Traderi
🛠️ Software Engineer
🎂 25 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
“In polluted Milan, I prioritise eco-friendly choices. It’s difficult to find a fast, reliable way to get around, whether for work or a night out”.
Daniel Rees
🛠️ Tourist
🎂 29 y/o
🏙️ Other city
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
"Touring Milan is tricky, bikes are slow, taxis pricey, and public transport doesn’t go everywhere."
Serena Mascotti
🛠️ Architect
🎂 46 y/o
🏙️ Hinterland
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes, but not in the city
"Taxis are costly, transit is slow, and I drive a lot for work. I'd switch to a greener, easier solution if I could."
Diego Guerini
🛠️ Lawyer
🎂 36 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes
“I usually go to work by car but the traffic is so heavy that I waste a lot of time waiting”.
Riccardo Lucchesi
🛠️ Art Director
🎂 43 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes, but not in the city
“I wish I can have an alternative to public transports that are always packed”.
Laura Granieri
🛠️ Student
🎂 23 y/o
🏙️ Hinterland
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
"Commuting from outside Milan without a car is hard, public transport is unreliable and green options are costly."
Mattia Traderi
🛠️ Software Engineer
🎂 25 y/o
🏙️ Milan
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
“In polluted Milan, I prioritise eco-friendly choices. It’s difficult to find a fast, reliable way to get around, whether for work or a night out”.
"Milan’s pollution makes me go green, but transport is rarely quick or dependable."
Daniel Rees
🛠️ Tourist
🎂 29 y/o
🏙️ Other city
🕓 Flexible
🚘 No
"Touring Milan is tricky, bikes are slow, taxis pricey, and public transport doesn’t go everywhere."
Serena Mascotti
🛠️ Architect
🎂 46 y/o
🏙️ Hinterland
🕓 Rush hour
🚘 Yes, but not in the city
"Taxis are costly, transit is slow, and I drive a lot for work. I'd switch to a greener, easier solution if I could."
Key takeways
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact
2.
Seek for quick and reliable mobility
Public transports is unreliable, doesn’t reach everywhere, not always available
3.
Sustainability matters in urban life
In polluted cities like Milan, people are turning to more sustainable transport options
Key takeways
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact
2.
Seek for quick and reliable mobility
Public transports is unreliable, doesn’t reach everywhere, not always available
3.
Sustainability matters in urban life
In polluted cities like Milan, people are turning to more sustainable transport options
Key takeways
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact
2. Seek for quick and reliable mobility
Public transports is unreliable, doesn’t reach everywhere, not always available
3. Sustainability matters in urban life
In polluted cities like Milan, people are turning to more sustainable transport options
Key takeways
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact
2. Seek for quick and reliable mobility
Public transports is unreliable, doesn’t reach everywhere, not always available
3. Sustainability matters in urban life
In polluted cities like Milan, people are turning to more sustainable transport options
Surveys
Surveys
Also, I’ve got some interesting data from a quantitive search based on surveys:
Also, I’ve got some interesting data from a quantitive search based on surveys:
🧍182 people
🧍182 people
🧍182 people
🎂 23-45 y/o
🎂 23-45 y/o
🎂 23-45 y/o
🏙️ Milan and its interland
🏙️ Milan and its interland
・Occupation
・Occupation
・Occupation
・Car or other personal transport
・Car or other personal transport
・Car or other personal transport
・Booking habits
・Booking habits
・Booking habits
・Technology savviness
・Technology savviness
・Technology savviness
・Transportation issues
・Transportation issues
・Transportation issues
・Cost sentitivity
・Cost sentitivity
・Cost sentitivity
・Work or leisure
・Work or leisure
・Work or leisure
93%
93%
93%
Face transportation issues
Face transportation issues
80%
Value availability and efficiency rather than costs
76%
Pollution due to hard traffic is an issue
80%
Value availability and efficiency rather than costs
76%
Pollution due to hard traffic is an issue
80%
Value availability and efficiency rather than costs
76%
Pollution due to hard traffic is an issue
Persona
Persona
I moved on to building an ideal persona and their journey in the app, to start identify the key goals and issues the design should address.
I moved on to building an ideal persona and their journey in the app, to start identify the key goals and issues the design should address.
Giulio Scala
32 y/o • Manager at a tech company
smart
living the city
problem-solver
innovative thinking
always moving
“In Milan, smart, eco-friendly travel is about convenience, less stress and making better choices for both my lifestyle and the environment.”
Goals
・Get around the city quickly
・Reduce reliance on his car
・Make sustainable choices
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
Needs
Needs
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Concerns
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Find useful
Concerns
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Find useful
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Giulio Scala
32 y/o • Manager at a tech company
smart
living the city
problem-solver
innovative thinking
always moving
“In Milan, smart, eco-friendly travel is about convenience, less stress and making better choices for both my lifestyle and the environment.”
Goals
・Get around the city quickly
・Reduce reliance on his car
・Make sustainable choices
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
Needs
Needs
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Concerns
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Find useful
Concerns
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Find useful
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Giulio Scala
32 y/o • Manager at a tech company
smart
living the city
problem-solver
innovative thinking
always moving
“In Milan, smart, eco-friendly travel is about convenience, less stress and making better choices for both my lifestyle and the environment.”
Goals
Get around the city quickly
Reduce reliance on his car
Make sustainable choices
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
Needs
Needs
Reliable alternative to transit
Fast transport for work/leisure
Low-effort, convenient service
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Concerns
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Find useful
Concerns
Traffic and delays
Unreliable public transport
High taxi/Uber costs
Find useful
Eco-friendly mobility
On-demand access
Simple, intuitive service
Giulio Scala
32 y/o • Manager at a tech company
smart
living the city
problem-solver
innovative thinking
always moving
“In Milan, smart, eco-friendly travel is about convenience, less stress and making better choices for both my lifestyle and the environment.”
Goals
・Get around the city quickly
・Reduce reliance on his car
・Make sustainable choices
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
Needs
Needs
・Reliable alternative to transit
・Fast transport for work/leisure
・Low-effort, convenient service
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Concerns
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Find useful
Concerns
・Traffic and delays
・Unreliable public transport
・High taxi/Uber costs
Find useful
・Eco-friendly mobility
・On-demand access
・Simple, intuitive service
Ideation: turn insights into actionable ideas
Ideation: turn insights
into actionable ideas
Ideation: turn insights into actionable ideas
Ideation: turn insights into actionable ideas
By brainstorming, defining key features, and mapping user flows, we transform concepts into tangible solutions. This stage focuses on exploring possibilities and aligning the design with user needs, ensuring we create an intuitive and impactful user experience. Prototypes are created and tested to refine ideas further before moving on to the next phase.
By brainstorming, defining key features, and mapping user flows, we transform concepts into tangible solutions. This stage focuses on exploring possibilities and aligning the design with user needs, ensuring we create an intuitive and impactful user experience. Prototypes are created and tested to refine ideas further before moving on to the next phase.
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Fast reserve/book process
Fast reserve/book process
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
How might we help Giulio start his ride quickly and smoothly?
How might we help Giulio start his ride quickly and smoothly?
1.
2.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Pausing the ride
Pausing the ride
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
How might we give Giulio flexibility mid-ride?
How might we give Giulio flexibility mid-ride?
1.
3.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Eco tracker and rewards
Eco tracker and rewards
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
How might we motivate Giulio to choose greener options?
How might we motivate Giulio to choose greener options?
Persona
HMW Questions and main features
HMW Questions and main features
HMW Questions and main features
1.
Fast reserve/book process
How might we help Giulio start his ride quickly and smoothly?
2.
Pausing the ride
How might we give Giulio flexibility mid-ride?
3.
Eco tracker and rewards
How might we motivate Giulio to choose greener options?
HMW Questions and main features
1.
Fast reserve/book process
How might we help Giulio start his ride quickly and smoothly?
2.
Pausing the ride
How might we give Giulio flexibility mid-ride?
3.
Eco tracker and rewards
How might we motivate Giulio to choose greener options?
Architecture and user flow design
Architecture and user flow design
The app architecture clarified the full user journey, helping define key features and streamline interactions, while the user flow ensured each step felt intuitive, efficient, and frustration-free, resulting in a smooth ride.
The app architecture clarified the full user journey, helping define key features and streamline interactions, while the user flow ensured each step felt intuitive, efficient, and frustration-free, resulting in a smooth ride.
Mid-fidelity wireframes
Mid-fidelity wireframes
After sketching on paper, I created mid-fi wireframes in Figma to test core flows internally, and spot friction early. This helped us validate navigation, align the team, and iterate quickly before moving to high-fidelity design.
After sketching on paper, I created mid-fi wireframes in Figma to test core flows internally, and spot friction early. This helped us validate navigation, align the team, and iterate quickly before moving to high-fidelity design.
Iteration: polished urban-style, tech efficiency and green vibes
Iteration: polished urban-style, tech efficiency and green vibes
Iteration: polished urban-style, tech efficiency and green vibes
When I joined the team, the company already had a strong visual presence through its scooters. It was essential to translate that identity into the app by developing a consistent design system, trough core elements like the color palette and visual patterns. As the main digital touchpoint, the app needed to reflect the same personality and visual consistency. My goal was to ensure users experienced a seamless, recognizable design language throughout their journey.
When I joined the team, the company already had a strong visual presence through its scooters. It was essential to translate that identity into the app by developing a consistent design system, trough core elements like the color palette and visual patterns. As the main digital touchpoint, the app needed to reflect the same personality and visual consistency. My goal was to ensure users experienced a seamless, recognizable design language throughout their journey.
Changes and rationale
Changes and rationale
Based on feedback and real user needs, I refined key screens - Home Page, Reserve/Book process, Ride and Pause and the Eco Wallet screen - to improve clarity, speed, and overall usability. Here's a look at what changed, and why.
Based on feedback and real user needs, I refined key screens - Home Page, Reserve/Book process, Ride and Pause and the Eco Wallet screen - to improve clarity, speed, and overall usability. Here's a look at what changed, and why.
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home
Design that drives:
mobile-first, sustainable, future-ready
Design that drives:
mobile-first, sustainable, future-ready
Design that drives:
mobile-first, sustainable, future-ready
The GoVolt scooter-sharing app was successfully handed off to the engineering team and launched on both Android and iOS. The final interface showcases a mobile-first design system built for clarity, speed, and consistency. Throughout the process, key user needs were prioritized, resulting in improved usability across core flows. Strategic focus areas such as sustainability, intuitive interactions, and long-term engagement shaped the experience, laying the groundwork for scalable future enhancements.
The GoVolt scooter-sharing app was successfully handed off to the engineering team and launched on both Android and iOS. The final interface showcases a mobile-first design system built for clarity, speed, and consistency. Throughout the process, key user needs were prioritized, resulting in improved usability across core flows. Strategic focus areas such as sustainability, intuitive interactions, and long-term engagement shaped the experience, laying the groundwork for scalable future enhancements.
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
User-Centered impact
User-Centered impact
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
Identified key user pain points and addressed them in the UI
Improved usability and reduced potential friction across core flows
Prioritised first-time user experience
Identified key user pain points and addressed them in the UI
Improved usability and reduced potential friction across core flows
Prioritised first-time user experience
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Readiness and scalability
Readiness and scalability
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
Delivered a UI that’s development-ready and scalable
Designed with modularity in mind (e.g., components, patterns)
Focused on performance and speed in user interactions
Delivered a UI that’s development-ready and scalable
Designed with modularity in mind (e.g., components, patterns)
Focused on performance and speed in user interactions
1.
1. Car/taxi/Uber are not valid options
Strategic vision
Strategic vision
Often fall short in urban settings due to traffic, cost, and environmental impact adlsapùNJXLNCòX sajkflhgdsoaVLBCDSUOfupiqòFE FHDpfuèdwFDF HDSòf vioweèFèEGW
Sustainability-focused features to align with brand values
Space for future features like gamified rewards and ride history
Foundation for data-driven enhancements down the line
Sustainability-focused features to align with brand values
Space for future features like gamified rewards and ride history
Foundation for data-driven enhancements down the line
Persona
Persona
Persona
Qualitative KPIs
User-Centered impact
Identified key user pain points and addressed them in the UI
Improved usability and reduced potential friction across core flows
Prioritised first-time user experience
Readiness and scalability
Delivered a UI that’s development-ready and scalable
Designed with modularity in mind (e.g., components, patterns)
Focused on performance and speed in user interactions
Strategic vision
Sustainability-focused features to align with brand values
Space for future features like gamified rewards and ride history
Foundation for data-driven enhancements down the line
