This thesis, titled Designing for Psychological Needs in Travel as an Experience, was written as part of my Master of Arts in Digital Experience Design at Hyper Island, Manchester. I chose this topic because of my deep interest in understanding how individuals push beyond their comfort zones and how travel can be intentionally designed to facilitate self-growth.

My experience at Hyper Island, where I navigated discomfort and personal transformation, played a pivotal role in shaping this research. The learnings from my time there, including the Johari Window model and the collaborative culture, helped me develop a human-centered approach. Under the guidance of my mentor, Lauren Kelly, I explored psychological needs, motivation theories, and behavior change in travel experiences.

The outcome of this research was the A.R.C. Model—a framework that maps the fulfillment of three key psychological needs (Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence) across different stages of travel. This model provides a foundation for designing more meaningful and transformative travel experiences. Writing this thesis was both a requirement for my master’s degree and an opportunity to challenge myself academically and creatively, ultimately deepening my understanding of experience design and human behavior.