Maps — AnneLou

Maps

Task Design and prototype a novel feature or feature-set integrated within an existing map or streaming app.
OutcomeFeature-set integration within Apple Maps that presents an opportunity to increase users’ cultural awareness.

My Role
UX Designer

CollaborationFaith Ong
Evelynn Li

Seamless integration to advocate for cultural awareness
The final designs present two user flow informed by the team’s user research that maps users can utilize this feature when browsing the map.

Ideation & Exploration

Ideating ten conceptsEncouraged to explore experimental, unusual, and speculative concepts.

Defining three opportunities
Building on concepts that push the boundaries of the current product or what readily aligns with the current user experience

Top Idea
Timeline & History Map

Regular
Safety Alerts | How might we caution users about potentially dangerous acitivity around surrounding areas?

Experimental
Conscious Map | How might we add components that have more environmental & societal considerations (Public transit, local businesses)

Refining One Direction

ProblemCultural ignorance and laziness. There is opportunity to target cultural ignorances by implementing a feature that increases cultural respect, awareness, and education of significant histories.

Rationale

Cross cultural exposure can lead to more empathy, NatGeo.

Learning about different cultures promotes personal growth and allows you to understand the world better, minimize stereotypes, overcome ethnic and racial barriers, and strengthen communications, NIH.

Competitors

Google Maps offers a similiar zoom feature depending on current range on the map.

Indirect Competitor
Trip Advisor offers insight into different places (locations, restaurants, sites). Most of it’s information is from users.

Inspiration

Barefoot World Atlas is an app targeted towards kids that allows them to interact with a map and learn more about the cultural customs within those areas, as well as its terrain, weather, transportation, etc.

Features & Functions | Three Userflows
Exploring possible features that could be implemented within maps to promote cultural education. Focusing on designing with natural integration to current user flows with ranging consideration of discoverability.

Zoom-In Flow
a. User taps on “curiosity” button at the bottom left corner of the screent

Zoom-In Flow
b. Cities + general areas are then highlighted with another color

Zoom-In Flow
c. Users can click on outlined buildings for more information on a certain marked location.

Zoom-In Flow
d. Tapping on a blue icon will reveal a pop-up at the top of the screen with some history about that location. Users have the option to read more about that location.

Zoom-Out Flow
a. User taps on “curiosity” button at the bottom left corner of the screen

Zoom-Out Flow
b. User is able to see highlighted areas/neighborhoods

Zoom-Out Flow
c. User selects International District and a drawer pulls up.

Zoom-Out Flow
d. Brief historical information about the area/neighborhood appears as well as recommendations for things to do in the area.

Filter Feature Flow
a. User taps on filter button

Filter Feature Flow
b. Drawer of 4 different filters pop up for user to choose from

Filter Feature Flow
c. Once filter is chosen and activated, there is a full screen of the map; the user can tap a location on the map

Filter Feature Flow
d. In the description of a chosen location, there are specific cultural customs and restaurant etiquettes based on the location that users can read

Final Flows

Based on our user testing, we noticed that this feature would be mainly used while users are traveling or have extra time to browse the map, but not as likely to use it when simply heading to a destination in their day-to-day life. These insights supported our design rationales by creating two different flows that would show this feature.