Maps

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

Timeline
5 Weeks

Context
Design 383, Fall 2022

Team
Faith Ong, Evelynn Li

Role
UX Researcher + UX Designer

Ideation & Exploration

Began with nine experimental, unusual, and speculative concepts that could be potentially embedded into the Maps platform, then explored opportunties for highest potential ideas.

Details

Speculative Features that might utilize untested or emerging technologies

Slow walker feature: measure your average walk speed to account for accurate walking time

Covid details on location: mask requirement, foot traffic, user-submitted mask compliance info

Experimental + Unusual Concepts

PNW foraging berry picking locations

Party feature for university students: crowd-sourced party info

Sky feature: best sunset/star viewing locations, constellation mode

Complex Features for Enhanced UX

Contact ratings/reccomendations visible on map

Local-only restaurant/market mode

Enhanced ETA sharing with friends

Inter-campus safety alerts shown on map

Exploring
Directions

Building on concepts that push the boundaries of the current product or mass-appeal as well as concepts that readily align with the current user experience, cultural norms/expectations, and current technologies

Safety Alerts

How Might We
Caution users about potentially dangeous activity around surrounding areas?

POV Statement
A University student wants to get a late night snack after studying, with crime at an all time high, they are unsure if it is best to go out at this time.

Conscious Map

How Might We
Add components that have more environmental + social considerations (biking, using public transit, local, minority-owned businesses)

POV Statement
A community member wants to bike to her nearest small business.

Sketch

Timeline + History Map

How Might We
Problem/Opportunity Statement

Add components that have more environmental + social considerations (biking, using public transit, local, minority-owned businesses)

Converging Directions

Honing in on the problem of cultural ignorance and laziness. Lorem.

Details

Problem/Opportunity
Cultural ignorance and laziness

Use Case

Jennifer has heard many good things about the new Omakase restaurant down the street and has decided to make a reservation to see if it’s worth the hype. However, she doesn’t know what to expect and how to prepare.

Tony and his family are going to be in Seattle for a few days and would like to stop by International District for some good Chinese food. He wants to know some of the locals’ recommendations when it comes to Chinese food, activities to do there, and other tidbits he should know while spending time there.

Potential Research Questions

How much consideration do you put into the cultural practices/expectations when going to a restauraunt that is not of your culture?

How often do you think about the cultural history of places you have visited?

What resource do you rely on when wanting to learn about a new culture?

What culture(s) are you most educated on?

Was there ever a time you felt culturally uneducated when visiting a new place?

Exploring
Directions

Building on concepts that push the boundaries of the current product or mass-appeal as well as concepts that readily align with the current user experience, cultural norms/expectations, and current technologies

Safety Alerts

How Might We
Caution users about potentially dangeous activity around surrounding areas?

POV Statement
A University student wnats to get a late night snack after studying, with crime at an all time high, they are unsure if it is best to go out at this time.

Conscious Map

How Might We
Add components that have more environmental + social considerations (biking, using public transit, local, minority-owned businesses)

POV Statement
A community member wants to bike to her nearest small business.

Sketch

Timeline + History Map

How Might We
Problem/Opportunity Statement

Add components that have more environmental + social considerations (biking, using public transit, local, minority-owned businesses)

Rapid User Research

Prototyping

User Testing

Reiterating from UAT

Anne Fernandez has a Bachelors in Interaction Design from the University of Washington. She enjoys the challenge of transforming complex information and research into visually compelling designs.