ALMAX
AVRIO Media was ahead of the advertising game, making brand engagement fun by leaning into interactive QR codes and the power of play. I worked on redesigning the ALMAX app to make it more user-friendly and engaging.
MY ROLE
Product Designer
TIMELINE
Aug 2023 - Oct 2023
CONTEXT: THE CHALLENGE
ALMAX already had a great idea at its core, turning ads into something interactive through gamification and QR codes. The experience of the app however didn’t quite live up to the idea. The app felt a bit clunky. Navigation wasn’t always obvious, design patterns weren’t consistent, and users often had to figure things out instead of being guided through them. For something meant to feel fun and playful, the experience sometimes felt more confusing than engaging.
The objective here was to redesign the app to feel clearer and more intuitive, while keeping the playful spirit intact. If ads were going to feel fun, the app needed to fit the script too.
THE PROCESS
Getting Familiar with What Already Existed
Before jumping into solutions, I spent time just using the app the way a real user would. Clicking through every screen, following every flow, and paying close attention to where things felt natural and where they didn't.
The app already had some solid building blocks: a QR code scanner, an in-app map, and a rewards system that tied everything together. By mapping out how these features connected and how users moved between them, it became easier to spot where things broke down. Some steps felt unnecessary, others needed clearer guidance, and a few moments just needed to feel more rewarding.
Introducing an Onboarding Experience
One of the biggest gaps in the original app was guidance. New users were dropped in without much context, which is fine if you already know what you're doing and a bit disorienting if you don't.
So we introduced a simple onboarding screen that clearly introduced ALMAX’s three core features right from the start. Giving users just enough context to help users understand what the app is about and why it’s worth exploring.
Get started
Scan codes, earn points and win cool prizes!
Find a kiosk near you, scan the QR code, earn XP points and stand a chance to win an exciting array of rewards.
Redesigning the In-app Map
The in-app map was a key part of the ALMAX experience, helping users find AVRIO Media’s digital kiosks. Digital kiosks in this context are physical touchpoints including EV charging stations, rideshare vehicles, and branded display stands where brand advertisements are displayed and users can scan interactive QR codes to engage and earn rewards.
Before
Kiosks were displayed in a way that made it hard to tell what was what. Users couldn't easily distinguish between kiosk types, and there was no visual indication of which ones had active ads. which led to confusion and missed opportunities.
After
The redesigned map introduced clear, distinct icons for each kiosk type, so it was immediately obvious whether you were looking at an EV charger, a rideshare vehicle, or a physical stand. We also added visual indicators to show which kiosks had active ads and live QR codes. Now users could look at the map and make an informed decision about where to go. Less guessing, more doing.
QR Code Scanner & Rewards System
If you’ve spent this entire case study wondering, “Okay… but how do the ads actually work?” this is the moment you’ve been waiting for.
At the heart of ALMAX was interaction, and the QR scanner was where everything came to life. Users could scan codes displayed on the digital kiosks directly from the app, which would pull up promotional content from the brand advertising on that kiosk. It bridged that gap between catching someone's attention and actually keeping it. The brand gets more than a glance. The user gets something to genuinely interact with.
And then came the best part: after scanning and engaging with the ad, users earned points. Points they could redeem for real rewards. Not just generic discount coupons either. We're talking VIP airport lounge access, yacht rides, exclusive experiences, and everyday perks. Suddenly, engaging with an ad wasn't just tolerable. It was actually worth it.
Snapshots of the qr scanning and reward screens (swipe/drag to view)
Improving the Leaderboard
Competition added another layer of motivation, but the original leaderboard wasn't quite delivering on it.
Before
The top 3 point earners were buried within the main list, differentiated only by colour. You had to look closely to notice who was actually winning. It felt like a detail rather than a celebration.
After
We redesigned the leaderboard to give the top 3 point earners their own dedicated section, elevated and clearly separate from the rest of the rankings. This made achievements feel more visible, more rewarding, and more aspirational, encouraging others to keep playing, scanning, and climbing the ranks.
RESULTS & IMPACT
Every design decision came back to the same question: Can someone open this app, understand it quickly, and actually enjoy using it? If the answer wasn’t yes, we went back and tweaked it.
Users spent more time engaging with advertisement content instead of skipping past it, because there was something tangible on the other side, points, perks, and real experiences.
For brands, engagement stopped being a guessing game. Instead of passive impressions, businesses could see people actively scanning, interacting, and following through to promotional content. Ads weren’t just seen, they were experienced!
RETROSPECTIVE
Gamification only works when users clearly understand what’s happening and why it matters to them. It’s easy to get caught up in the "fun" of gamifying things, but if the workflows aren't intuitive, users just end up being lost in the noise. Redesigning ALMAX reminded me that the best use of technology isn't the most complex one. It's the one that removes friction and adds delight in the right places, in the right order. When play and intention come together, even something as overlooked as advertising can become an experience people actually want to have.
