Wayfindr
Proposal • Design Thinking • Emergent Tech
Wayfindr is a speculative design project for an AR ecosystem that reimagines navigation and engagement in public spaces.
Winter, 2023 | Greg McCarthy
Project Summary
Introduction
When asked to image a “richly augment future” our team proposed Wayfindr, a speculative project that explores how AR and AI could enhance navigation, accessibility, and engagement in physical spaces. It reimagines traditional signage systems into adaptive, personalized interfaces designed for universal use.
Objective
To propose an accessible AR ecosystem that empowers users to engage with physical and digital spaces through intuitive, human-centered design.
Problem Statement
Current navigation and signage systems are static, one-size-fits-all solutions. Current solutions fail to adequately bridge the digital-physical gap and do not provide adaptive, personalized tools that enhance usability for diverse audiences, including those with accessibility needs.
The document outlining the proposed solution including an in depth competitor landscape and impacts maps.
The Project
What is it?
The proposed project is an AR design ecosystem focused on usability and accessibility. It incorporates social sharing, in-app purchasing, and AI-driven UI personalization. The project's concept can be visualized as the intersection of Squarespace, Google Lens, and Instagram all with accessibility at its core.
Research Highlights
Our research combined competitor analysis with qualitative user insights to shape a robust, user-centered proposal. Key takeaways include:
Competitor Platforms: Platforms like Squarespace and Wix provided valuable lessons on designing for simplicity, usability, and accessibility. These principles influenced Wayfindr’s interface approach.
User Barriers: Interviews revealed significant challenges in AR adoption, including the steep learning curve and accessibility issues. Users expressed a need for tools that were both intuitive and inclusive but a willingness to use if the product delivered a seamless experience.
Solution Development: These insights led to the concept of the "Pathmakr" tool—an AI-driven platform that simplifies AR path creation, allowing users with varying technical skills to design and share immersive experiences effortlessly.
Commercial Applications
Cultural Institutions: Museums and galleries can use Wayfindr to offer interactive tours and enhance visitor experiences with personalized AR content.
Public Spaces: Government buildings, transit systems, and public services can improve accessibility and navigation for all users, including non-native speakers and individuals with disabilities.
Commercial Spaces: Businesses can leverage Wayfindr for enhanced customer engagement, personalized marketing, and improved in-store navigation.
Community Engagement: Wayfindr fosters community interaction by promoting localized content and encouraging exploration of communal spaces.
Potential Impact
The project could be transformative to the way people navigate and interact with the world around them. By leveraging innovative UI design and AI-driven personalization, Wayfindr would enhance accessibility and engagement, creating a more inclusive and connected experience for users. This platform could a new standard for digital interactions and has the potential to revolutionize augmented reality navigation.
Next Steps
The project remained in the early stages of development during the course. To proceed, there would need to be significant investment of time and resources to develop a functioning prototype which would require the development of the Pathmakr creation platform and the Wayfindr application. Early stage mockups were done, however, the project was not seen through to a fully realized state due to time constraints. To see the final deliverables of the project, please feel free to reach out.
For additional information or to discuss this project further, feel free to reach out via the contact info on the about page. Your feedback and inquiries are always welcome!
TL;DR
Why it matters: Wayfindr reimagines navigation and accessibility using AI and AR to create more inclusive, personalized experiences.
The details:
A speculative design project for OCAD U's Design Management course.
Combines features of Squarespace, Google Lens, and Instagram with AR.
Introduces "Pathmakr," a tool for creating and sharing immersive AR experiences.
Applications include museums, public spaces, businesses, and communities.
The takeaway: The Wayfindr project has the potential to rethink navigation and engagement in physical spaces by bridging the digital-physical gap with intuitive design and personalization.
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