Event companion.
Reimagining immersive digital experiences for mobile and tablet unlocking new services and global adoption
We reimagined an immersive desktop event experience for mobile, replacing 360° environments with a swipeable, card-based model built for smaller screens. I led design, delivery, and system creation, mentoring junior designers and acting as product owner throughout. The result was a new mobile-first service line now used as the primary event app by a Fortune 500 client.
90%
Engagement rate with app and activities at large-scale events and conferences
Official
Event app for one of the worlds biggest Fortune 500 companies
New
Service line and product offering
Challenge.
An immersive desktop platform relied on clickable 360° environments to guide participants through events and learning journeys. But this interface didn’t translate to mobile. Small screens and faster interactions meant we needed a rethink. Our challenge was to translate a richly spatial, exploratory experience into a mobile-first journey without losing the sense of immersion or interactivity.
My role
Lead product designer, Product owner
Success criteria
- Participants can easily interact with platform features on smaller devices
- High levels of engagement with content and activities at events
- Key client adoption and positive feedback on accessibility, flexibility, and brand alignment
- Expands into event app market through a new product offering
Solution.
A mobile event companion app for mobile and tablet featuring:
- Card-based interaction journeys: Swipeable navigation with customisable calls to action, media, and interactive content
- Dynamic admin control: Update journeys and content in real time during live events
- All-in-one access: Agenda, community, Q&A, gallery, and activities in a single experience
- Visual theming: Flexible branding to reflect each event’s identity
- Targeted notifications: Prompt participants with push messages that adapt to the event flow
This project didn’t just extend the desktop platform, it created a new mobile-only product line now used as the primary event solution by a global Fortune 500 company.
Project delivery.
Grounded in research and real-world experience.
Our research approach combined competitor analysis, expert insight, and targeted stakeholder engagement to shape a mobile experience that stood apart from standard event apps.
Most apps offered static agendas and limited interactivity, falling short for bespoke, high-touch events like leadership events or co-creation workshops.
Key leadership moment
I guided the team to prioritise practical, insight-driven research by leveraging our organisational expertise, client relationships, and market positioning, ensuring we designed not just for usability, but strategic differentiation.
Learning from stakeholders and internal experts.
Conversations with stakeholders helped us prioritise high-value features like adaptable journeys and engagement tools, while deprioritising less critical elements. Drawing on internal best practices, we designed the app to support live facilitation and high engagement, positioning it as a premium solution for leadership programmes, workshops, and transformation events.
What were we solving?
Key problems to solve
- How do we deliver the tools needed for high-touch events in a simple, mobile format
- How do we allow for dynamic facilitation and content updates during live events
- How do we make an event app that is adaptable to different bespoke event journeys and use cases
Who were we solving for?
Core user personas
- Event participant: Mainly targeting senior and executive roles at high-touch events such as leadership conferences. Need for a simple, clear experience delivering what they need, when they need it.
- Event facilitators: Need for dynamic control of app UI and content throughout constantly changing live events.
Validating navigation and interaction.
Early prototypes showed that a simple bottom navigation worked best for our use case. It was clear, adaptable, and scalable across events. Testing also validated the swipable card UI, which let users move smoothly through content while giving producers the flexibility to build and update bespoke event journeys in real time.
Building bespoke event journeys.
The card-based homepage reimagined the 360° desktop environment for mobile, guiding participants through a uniquely themed, step-by-step journey. Each card revealed new content, activities, or live interactions. With real-time updates, visual theming, and a modular toolkit of widgets, facilitators could deliver high-impact, personalised experiences across devices.
Design system for scale and flexibility.
Alongside defining the core card-based interaction model, I led the creation of a mobile and tablet design system to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across devices. This system enabled faster iteration, seamless collaboration with developers, and a consistent user experience across diverse event types.
Key system features
- Token-based rules for spacing, typography, and responsive layout
- Flexible Figma components with variables and properties for rapid assembly
- UI elements are adaptable to dynamic content and remain accessible when custom branding is applied
Key leadership moment
To enable multi-device development at speed, I led the creation and adoption of a scalable design system. Collaborating closely with engineers, I ensured design tokens were developer-friendly, accelerating delivery and improving UI cohesion.
App features & UI design highlights.
The app was built around configurable core pages, giving clients the flexibility to design bespoke experiences for their event participants. Each feature was designed with adaptability, clarity, and engagement in mind.
Access and onboarding
Dynamic, customisable home page
Flexible feature pages for dynamic content
Notifications, activities, and community
Testing & feedback.
Testing & validation.
We continuously validated the app to ensure it met user needs and performed reliably across devices and contexts.
Throughout the project we validated the app through:
- Internal prototype testing, to confirm usability of the swipe-based journey
- Live event pilots, gathering feedback on real-time configuration and interaction
- Cross-device QA, ensuring responsive performance across tablets and phones
Example feedback and improvements.
Some key usability issues flagged during testing were:
Swipe interaction visibility
- Challenge: Some users didn’t immediately realize the cards were swipeable.
- Solution: Added a toast message and subtle bounce animation to prompt interaction.
Missed menu button
- Challenge: Users often missed the action to switch between events.
- Solution: Enhanced hierarchy and visual clarity in the profile menu to make event switching more discoverable.
Launch & impact.
Supporting development & delivery.
As product owner, I worked closely with engineering to manage delivery and execution:
- Hosted weekly sprint planning and prioritisation sessions
- Orchestrated testing sessions and pilot events
- Balanced feature scope, budget, and launch timelines for enterprise client deadlines
- Oversaw weekly updates on project progress with key stakeholders
- I collaborated closely with developers and QA testers throughout the sprints.
Successful launch and addoption.
The app launched successfully for a series of high-profile global leadership events, supporting thousands of attendees, driving strong engagement, and receiving positive feedback.
Since launch:
- Adopted as core mobile solution by a Fortune 500 client
- Mobile-first model introduced as a new sales and licensing pathway
- Expanded to support other event formats, including conferences, webinars, and internal training
- Rapid growth of the mobile app has led to the hire of a full customer success team for client support
Key contributions
By translating a complex desktop environment into a fast, flexible mobile format, we enabled immersive event experiences to travel with users without compromise. The Event Companion App brought together system thinking, strategic UX, and operational leadership to deliver both a usable product and a new line of business. My role spanned design leadership, mentorship, and cross-functional product ownership, ensuring the app delivered on usability, scalability, and impact.
Key metrics
90%
Engagement rate with app and activities at large-scale events and conferences
New
Service line and product offering
Official
Event app for one of the worlds biggest Fortune 500 companies
