course | interaction design principles

“I like to travel and experience LOCAL things rather than touristy things.”

2|PROPOSAL

3|WIREFRAMES

USER GOAL

PAPER WIREFRAMES

DIGITAL WIREFRAMES

USER FEEDBACK

I received feedback that the wording, “How far are you willing to wander?” wasn’t clear. Users weren’t sure if this was asking how far they were willing to walk once they got to the area, or if it meant how far they were willing to travel before they got to the suggested area. Specifically, “within a mile” suggested that they only wanted a suggested area that was a mile in radius.

course | interaction design principles

brief

Create an intervention for Apple Maps that doesn’t prevent users from getting lost.

Research Questions:

  • What makes getting lost rewarding?

  • Can getting lost feel like an adventure? A journey of discovery?

  • How do you know when you are done being lost?

An Apple Maps feature that encourages users to get lost and explore without a pre-determined destination.

process

1|interviews

I wrote an interview script designed to gain insight on how people interact with Maps, how they like to explore, and how they feel about getting lost. Below are some key findings that informed my project proposal.

key quotes

“I would use this feature to try something new with FRIENDS, especially for places like coffee shops, maybe going out for food, and walking trails.”

“I’d like if the feature gave a general idea of what the area is like with minimal recommendations so you can FIND THINGS YOURSELF.”

key takeaways

“I would use this feature if it provides ECLECTIC, UNIQUE suggestions as opposed to chains.”

“It would be cool if it was ALGORITHMIC, tracks what your interests are, gives you recommendations based on your interests.”

  • People like the idea of the feature not being too specific so that they can still feel like they are wandering

  • It could be used in social settings

  • People want unique suggestions

  • It should know your interests overtime

How might we… encourage users to get lost on the journey rather than get to a pre-determined destination.

PROPOSAL: Wander — an Apple Maps feature that takes users through a quick survey asking the user about their mood/vibe, interests, budget and radius to determine an area nearby to explore. It drops them off at a starting point, lightly guiding them towards the given area. It will highlight a couple things for the user to do if they want to based on the survey.

Explore somewhere new in the Boston area without a set plan.

key FEATURES

4|PROTOTYPE

  1. Open Maps

  2. Notice Wander suggestion and click

  3. Select Open Wander

  4. First select adventurous, then creative, then overwhelmed

  5. Select Next

  6. Select art, then nature, then food and drink

  7. Select Next

  8. Select under $25

  9. Select NexT

  10. Select 3-7 miles

  11. Select Finish

  12. Receive suggestion

  13. Take Directions to starting point

  14. Explore Inman Square

task flow

  • Quick survey

  • Three suggested locations within the given area based on survey

  • Directions fade away, instilling the purpose of getting lost

NEXT STEPS

  • Include markers on the map for the suggested locations (Ex. Gather Here craft tore, Zuzu’s Petals wine bar , and Prospect Hill Park)

  • Show a radius of the area suggested while the user is in Maps

  • What happens when the user is done with their adventure? (Wander Log, rating, etc.)