OVERVIEW
U Navigator is a mobile app that allows users to simplify the journey around campus by helping them get indirections and information about campus services such as libraries, study rooms and dining locations.
MY CONTRIBUTION
As a designer - I conducted primary and second research, drafted user flows, synthesized research findings and translated them into mockups.
As a PM - I led a group of 4, drafted product strategy, managed project timelines, owned storytelling and final presentations.
TIMELINE
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024
TEAM
Me, Charlotte Gao, Krane Sheng, Leo Xu
TOOLS
Figma, Miro, Notion, Google Doc, Zoom
/ THE PROBLEM
Navigating a large campus can be a maze
Imagine this, you are a student at the University of Toronto, there are hundreds of buildings across the main campuses. Do you find it challenging to navigate around and unsure whether if you can arrive at your destination by yourself? This is even more difficult for new students.
/ rESEARCH OVERVIEW
Understanding the context
32
Surveys
8
interviews
Our team conducted 8 semi-structured interviews and surveyed 32 representative users - all UofT students within different faculties across the undergraduate and grad students. Our goals was to understand the critical navigation challenges that university students faced.
/ iNSIGHTS SUMMARY
Understanding the context
All UofT students within different faculties across the undergraduate and graduate students to understand the critical navigation challenges for university students.
/ iNSIGHTS SUMMARY
Understanding students' current navigation experience
All UofT students within different faculties across the undergraduate and graduate students to understand the critical navigation challenges for university students.
78%
of respondents showed frustration of limited facilities options available.
"I don't know if there's other study rooms nearby, so I end up always going to the same one even though sometimes it's far from me."
88%
of respondents expressed the need for detailed facility information.
" I walked 10 minutes to the library only to find it closed. I wish I could know before I arrive."
75%
of respondents found the indoor navigation to be confusing.
"Google Map took me to the building, but I lost when I am inside."
65%
of respondents stated the limitations of existing mapping tools
" The information on Google Maps is accurate. It hasn't been updated for a long time."
/ mARKET RESEARCH
How do other universities solve this problem?
Now with our hypothesis confirmed, I search for platforms or tools used by other instuitions that solved similar campus navigation problem.
I found these platforms:
uOttawa Map used by Ottawa University: A web-based product that assist students and visitors in navigating the campus by showing information of campus buildings, places to eat and other facilities and give directions.
Queen's 3D interactive map: A web-based platform that allows students to locate essential amenities on campus.
CampusGo by University of Windsor: A mobile app that provides accurate indoor and outdoor wayfinding. It includes a searchable directory of buildings and rooms, offering turn-by-turn directions to help users reach their destinations easily.
/ CURRENT SOLUTION
What does University of Toronto already have?
Currently, there is a U of T Map designed to allow users to search for amenities like libraries and cafeterias and provide guidance in directions.
However, none of the survey or interview participants reported using this app. I downloaded it to test it myself, but usability issues made it unusable.
Reframe the question:
Eva Elle
@evaelle
Thank you for building such an empowering tool, especially for designers! The site went from Figma to Framer in less than a week!
Guy Mccoy
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Playing around with @framer while building a landing page for a side project. I’m terrible at animations, but they make it so easy!
Kayla Ray
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I’ve built pretty handy sites powered by Craft or WordPress in the past, but seeing @framer tackle CMS stuff so effortlessly is mind-boggling