UX @Sun Country Airlines

⋆

UX @Sun Country Airlines ⋆

Enhancing engagement through research-driven designs and a loyalty proof-of-concept game.

Role

Timeline

UX Design Intern

3 months (June - August 2024)

User Research, Data Synthesis, Interaction Design, Prototyping

Figma, Miro, Adobe CC Suite, Microsoft Office

Tools

Skills

SUMMARY

What did I learn and design at Sun Country?

I supported a range of design initiatives, from user research to feature conceptualization. My work included a proof-of-concept loyalty game, email designs, competitive research, and more. This page showcases these projects as a collection of work samples.

Please reach out to learn more about my full process and internship experience!

User Research: Airport Kiosks

Understanding users’ kiosk experience at the MSP Airport.

Objectives

  • Collect kiosk timing data

  • Identify pain points to improve UX

  • Insight into traveler demographics

  • Conduct competitive kiosk research

Outcomes & Learnings

  • Observed a total of 140 travel parties over 12 total hours

  • 6 field visits, 3 user interviews

  • Quantitative and qualitative findings to inform kiosk improvements

Mobile App: SunnyTabs Game

Enhancing loyalty engagement through gamification. Presented to the Executive Leadership Team.

Objectives

  • Create a proof-of-concept “pull tabs” game following SCA design language

  • Make earning loyalty points engaging

  • Successfully translate a physical experience into a digital one

Outcomes & Learnings

  • Validated a compelling experience

  • Interaction design animations

  • Identified critical edge cases and implementation considerations

  • Created a scalable foundation for future loyalty gamification

Paper Pull Tabs

Terminal 2 Busy Redesign

Email went live during summer 2024.

Objectives

  • Add traffic, bags, and check-in info

  • Make it scannable, visual hierarchy

  • Incorporate mobile app promotion

Outcomes & Learnings

  • Improved, updated communication with SCA travelers

  • Accounting for various email clients and browsers

  • Inability to make it “pixel perfect”

  • Collaboration with email developer

Original

Marketing Email Concepts

Presented to the Executive Leadership Team.

Dynamic Fares

New

Continue Booking

Day of Travel

REFLECTIONS

I strengthened my ability to design thoughtfully within real product constraints.

  • Design choices are grounded in research.
    I gained knowledge about how to pinpoint user pain points and apply both qualitative and quantitative insights to direct design direction and prioritization through field observations, interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis.

  • Designing within practical limitations.
    It was necessary to strike a balance between user needs, operational realities, technological constraints, and brand standards. When the best solutions weren't practical, I learned how to make deliberate design trade-offs.

  • Communicating across teams.
    Presenting research results and design concepts to designers, developers, project managers, and leadership improved my capacity to articulate choices, provide design rationale, and iterate based on feedback.