2026

Design Awards Silver Winner - Nest UX Studio LLC

Roadi: A Slow Travel App Designed for Mental Well-Being

Entrant

Nest UX Studio LLC

Category

User Experience (UX) - Product UX

Client's Name

Country / Region:

United States

”Travel Slower, Feel More.” It is what Roadi represents. 

Roadi is a mobile app designed for people who seek slow travel, travel that prioritizes emotional well-being, presence, and genuine connection over speed and quantity. Instead of encouraging users to go farther, faster, or to more places, Roadi invites travelers to slow down, stay present, and experience more through fewer, more meaningful moments. Roadi rethinks travel navigation through a psychological and experiential lens, asking a different question: How can a journey feel calmer, more intentional, and more restorative?

In a culture dominated by speed and efficiency, travel has gradually lost its ability to restore. Fast-paced itineraries, efficiency-focused navigation, and social media driven travel tools often turn journeys into exhausting checklists rather than meaningful experiences. Many travelers return home needing rest from the trip itself.

Existing navigation and travel planning systems are designed for efficiency above all else. Speed and optimization dominate the experience, often overlooking emotional states, decision fatigue, and the quiet desire for spontaneity and reflection. Planning becomes overwhelming, and the journey itself can feel rushed and disconnected.

Roadi reimagines travel by shifting the focus from destinations to feelings. Instead of asking users where they want to go, it invites them to choose how they want to feel. Mood based and context aware recommendations respond to season and travel pace, shaping flexible routes and thoughtful stops along the way. By reducing the mental load of planning and navigation, Roadi creates space for rest, awareness, and presence throughout the journey.

Beyond navigation, Roadi reframes travel as a form of self-care. By reducing decision fatigue, discouraging overpacked schedules, and highlighting overlooked local experiences, the app supports mental recovery and emotional balance. It also challenges the social pressure of “traveling for display,” offering an alternative to performance-driven tourism.

Roadi is not about traveling farther or faster.
It is about traveling with intention, allowing space for rest, awareness, and authentic moments along the way.

Credits

Wei-Chen Ma
Hsiao-Ting Tsai
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