The Wardingarri Way
The Wardingarri Way is more than just a walking trail; it’s a journey of healing and reconciliation that follows the return of the Star of Taroom, an ancient stone sacred to the Iman people of Central Queensland, Australia. The walk serves as a powerful symbol of cultural preservation and unity, inviting participants to connect with the land, learn about Indigenous heritage, and support a deeper understanding between communities.
Executive summary
The Wardingarri Way project aimed to create a digital platform that supports and enhances this meaningful journey through a website and app. The goal was to provide participants with a comprehensive guide to the walk, foster community engagement, and ensure the cultural significance of the trail is respectfully represented. The project was executed in three main phases, starting with research and wireframing, followed by prototyping and testing, and culminating in the final design. Each phase was guided by a commitment to user-centered design, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with the Iman community and stakeholders.
01
Discover & Design
The primary challenge was creating a digital experience that effectively conveys the cultural and historical importance of the Wardingarri Way while providing practical information for participants. Existing digital resources lacked depth and engagement, failing to capture the significance of the journey and its impact on both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The project needed to balance functionality with cultural storytelling, making the journey accessible and meaningful to a broad audience.
Project Plan
The project plan outlines a structured approach to developing the Wardingarri Way app over three phases.
Competitor research
Survey
Figure out our design
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Website
The website will serve as a vital resource for participants, cultivate a strong sense of community, and honor the cultural and historical depth of the journey.
App
The app is crafted for those looking to deepen their connection with Aboriginal lands and culture throughout their journey. It offers crucial navigation and logistical support, while immersing users in the profound heritage and significance of the Country they explore.
Client needs
For the second phase, the focus moved toward a deeper exploration of the client’s core needs. This phase involved in-depth discussions with Johnny Danalis, members of the Iman people, and the Banana Shire Council to clearly define objectives, capture their vision for the app, and pinpoint essential features. Through comprehensive research and these collaborative conversations, we gained invaluable insights.
Branding
We collaborated closely with other design students, who developed a branding pack and custom icons for us to incorporate into the website and app.
03
Finalise & Present
Low-fi to High-fi
For the third phase we concentrated on refining client feedback and initial designs into a polished, functional prototype. This stage involved evolving low-fidelity wireframes into high-fidelity, interactive prototypes that accurately reflected the client’s vision.
Website
App
06
Project Summary
The final step was an opportunity to present the complete prototype of both the app and the website to our clients, showcasing how their feedback and cultural values were thoughtfully integrated into both platforms. This presentation highlighted essential features, intuitive interactions, and a cohesive, user-friendly flow, illustrating how the app and website work together to embody the vision for The Wardingarri Way. Through this session, we gathered final insights, confirmed that both platforms aligned with the clients' goals of cultural preservation and community engagement, and discussed impactful next steps, marking a meaningful conclusion to this phase of the project.