Indoor Now
Indoor Navigation Expert
About
Indoor Now is an app created exclusively for shopping malls, providing indoor navigation and informational assistance. The app offers online and offline navigation capabilities, along with augmented reality (AR) camera assistance, to provide an unparalleled shopping experience. It guides users through the complex maze of mall corridors, helping them find their desired stores, amenities, or points of interest with ease, while also providing real-time contextual information.
Timeline
Duration
3 months
Roles
UX/UI Designer
Skills
User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Understanding the Problem
Traditional mall maps have limitations in providing accurate information about store layouts, promotions, or events. These static maps are also prone to damage, loss, or outdated information. Outdoor navigation solutions like Google Maps have transformed how people navigate city streets and outdoor environments, but they often need to catch up in indoor spaces like shopping malls. The transition from outdoor to indoor navigation presents a significant gap in existing navigation tools, leaving users stranded in unfamiliar surroundings and hindering their shopping experience.
The need for robust indoor navigation apps exacerbates the challenge of navigating within shopping malls. Real indoor navigation apps leave shoppers reliant on fragmented and often unreliable methods, resulting in frustration, wasted time, and missed opportunities for businesses to engage with customers effectively. While outdoor navigation apps excel in providing directions and points of interest in open spaces, the intricacies of indoor environments, such as multi-level structures, changing layouts, and densely packed amenities, pose unique challenges that require specialized solutions.
Research
To gain insights into the navigation challenges faced by individuals within shopping malls or centers, we conducted a survey targeting a diverse group of respondents. With 28 participants providing valuable feedback, the survey yielded significant findings that shed light on the complexities of indoor navigation and the potential opportunities for improvement.
Key Findings
1.
Despite knowing how to read traditional mall maps, many still face navigation issues in shopping centers, indicating a gap between map comprehension and practical navigation.
Despite knowing how to read traditional mall maps, many still face navigation issues in shopping centers, indicating a gap between map comprehension and practical navigation.
2.
A significant 64.3% reported getting lost in malls or shopping centers, highlighting widespread navigation difficulties indoors.
A significant 64.3% reported getting lost in malls or shopping centers, highlighting widespread navigation difficulties indoors.
3.
While respondents generally feel moderately comfortable navigating malls or reading mall maps, there's room for improvement in addressing underlying navigation challenges.
While respondents generally feel moderately comfortable navigating malls or reading mall maps, there's room for improvement in addressing underlying navigation challenges.
4.
Familiarity with traditional maps suggests indoor map solutions could compete effectively by offering enhanced features for navigating within malls.
Familiarity with traditional maps suggests indoor map solutions could compete effectively by offering enhanced features for navigating within malls.
Design Process
Happy Path
Indoor Now has two paths for an optimal experience. Path 1: seamless transition from outdoor to indoor environments. Path 2: explore stores within the mall. Enjoy a delightful experience navigating shopping malls with Indoor Now.
Crazy 8's
Following Crazy 8's inspiration process for Indoor Now, our team generated a wealth of diverse and innovative concepts to enhance the user experience. Across the eight rounds, the designer sketched ideas ranging from intuitive navigation layouts to creative ways of integrating augmented reality for indoor mapping. By embracing the rapid ideation process, we uncovered unique solutions for addressing specific challenges, such as optimizing parking information display and streamlining store navigation.
First Iteration Prototype
The first iteration design focuses on a clean and intuitive interface with map-based features, prioritizing direct user interaction and streamlined navigation within shopping malls. Key features include augmented reality (AR) and 3D floor plans to enhance the user experience and provide easier access to target locations. With a minimalist design emphasizing visual hierarchy, users can effortlessly explore the mall map to discover stores, amenities, and points of interest. Integrated AR functionality overlays directional cues onto real-world surroundings, while 3D floor plans offer a spatial understanding of the mall layout, facilitating confident navigation. This iteration aims to deliver a seamless shopping experience, empowering users to navigate the mall with clarity and ease.
Heuristic Evaluation
We conducted a thorough analysis of the Indoor Now app's design and usability based on established usability heuristics. Our evaluation encompassed several key areas, including visibility of system status, match between system and real world, user control and freedom, consistency and standards, error prevention, recognition, aesthetic and minimalist design, and help and documentation. Through this evaluation process, we identified areas for improvement and formulated recommendations to enhance the overall user experience.
A.
Identified inconsistencies in design elements across functions and screens, emphasizing the need for standardization to ensure a cohesive user experience.
Identified inconsistencies in design elements across functions and screens, emphasizing the need for standardization to ensure a cohesive user experience.
B.
Highlighted the importance of implementing error prevention mechanisms, including notifications for connection and GPS errors, to enhance user confidence.
Highlighted the importance of implementing error prevention mechanisms, including notifications for connection and GPS errors, to enhance user confidence.
C.
Recognized the necessity of clear visual cues, like scrolling indicators, to aid user navigation and understanding of app features.
Recognized the necessity of clear visual cues, like scrolling indicators, to aid user navigation and understanding of app features.
D.
User expectations informed recommendations for improving usability and visual clarity, such as utilizing floating boxes for button explanations and adjusting color contrasts for better visibility.
User expectations informed recommendations for improving usability and visual clarity, such as utilizing floating boxes for button explanations and adjusting color contrasts for better visibility.
Hi-Fi Prototype
Final Product
The final product of Indoor Now results from numerous iterations, guided by insights gathered from heuristic evaluation and expectancy testing. The app has been improved by standardizing design elements, incorporating robust error prevention mechanisms, clear visual cues, and optimizing usability based on user expectations. These enhancements have transformed Indoor Now into a seamless and intuitive indoor navigation solution for shopping malls. We address user needs and enhance the overall user experience, empowering users to navigate malls confidently and efficiently.
