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Setup
Type:
Mobile Application
Role:
Sole Product Designer
Timeline:
2 months
Problem
No universal app exists for navigating airports. Travelers are forced to use maps provided by airports (with limited to no mobile accessibility) or airline apps like Delta that focus on their lounges and amenities. Switching from one airline app to the next is like learning a new language.
Solution
A universal airport MAP paired with an APP that tailors information to specific user needs
Research
After many USER SURVEYS, POLLS and one-on-one INTERVIEWS, FOUR KEY PAIN POINTS were identified:
RESTAURANTS and LOUNGES are the most important items users want
to locate and discover
Knowing SECURITY WAIT TIMES and WALKING DISTANCES is very
important
No CONSISTENCY exists between airport, airline or paid for apps.
User Comment: "Picture a different Google Map interface for
every city, No one'd use it."
USERS want the ability to SEARCH the MAP themselves
The Map
DESIGN THEORY:
The first and most important design element I considered was who is my
USER. The result was daunting.
ICAO (an agency of the United Nations) states there were 4.5 billion
passengers in 2019, a number expected to grow to 10 billion by 2040.
The map design would have to be clearly and easily understandable no
matter one's cultural or linguistic background.
The answer: SIMPLICITY. Reduce everything to simple visual cues. Make
shape and color intensity the language of the world.
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION:
ICONS
Icon design was kept simple. Square icons for restaurants and lounges. Circle icons for stores and restrooms. A border was also placed around the lounge icon to distinguish it further (representing limited access). Colors were muted to avoid a kaleidoscope effect.
restaurant
store
lounge
restroom
elevator
escalator
stairs
NOTE: Other maps/apps use separate icons for elevators, escalators and stairs which clutter and confuse. Here they are combined into one universal icon. If only elevator available, then no escalators or stairs would be depicted.
unselected gate
selected gate
LAYOUT
Per the user research, the map is very simple, clear cut and easy to navigate on a phone. Excessive information is hidden. Up to user what they want to see.
Below is an example of Terminal 3 at LAX.
Below another map example (LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal).
SECURITY with "Wait Time" (color coded plus numerical estimate). Feature ideation from user research.
The App
HOME PAGE:
"MY CADDY" (under construction)
A personal "locker" for registered users (no fee). Stores flight info, airport preferences, restaurant lounge reviews and more. Can also suggest AI "options" based upon user preferences and selections.
"FIND GATE"
Explore your arriving or departing gate (or both). Perfect tool for a layover.
"FIND ME"
Turn on the GPS function to locate yourself within the Airport Caddy map.
FIND GATE:
NOTE: Users with "My Caddy" accounts would not have to manually enter flight info. It would all be stored in their locker.
KEY FEATURES
INTERCHANGEABLE BUTTONS
User can select whatever two buttons they want to be shown. Allows the user to tailor what information they see and/or don't see. Puts the user in charge, not the app.
Feature ideation from user research.
POP-UP INFORMATION
Clicking on an icon provides thorough information about the restaurant, store, bathroom, lounge, etc.
Here the User simply clicks the "chicken & beer" icon to see its menu, reviews, price range, busyness and more.
RESTAURANT BUTTON FEATURE
Clicking the "restaurant button" provides a quick search of all the restaurants in the terminal. The INFO button produces the restaurant's information as described before.
RESTROOM BUTTON FEATURE
Like the restaurant feature, clicking this button quickly finds all restrooms in the terminal along with services provided. Invaluable for families in need of changing rooms and other services.
FIND ME:
GPS FUNCTION
Places user's precise location within the map. Examples below all use the LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal to show its ease of use in a very big airport terminal.
NOTE: The "restaurant" button has been replaced with the "lounge" button.
KEY FEATURES
Zoom In:
Zoom Out:
LOUNGE BUTTON FUNCTION
Like the "restaurant" and "restroom" features, the LOUNGE button will display all lounges in the terminal with an INFO button regarding amenities, accessibility and more.
"GO" FEATURE
This feature will be available for restaurants, restrooms, stores, flight gates, baggage claim and more.
Not only provides USERS with directions but also WALKING TIMES and DISTANCES (feature ideation from user research).
Conclusion
WORK TO BE DONE:
TESTING
Currently testing and receiving feedback on first version prototype.
NEW FEATURES
The following features will be added to the second prototype:
ADD FLIGHT Button
Icon exists in button menu. Will show WALKING DISTANCES and TIMES
to arriving and/or departing gates.
MY CADDY Construction
The third option on the homepage needs to be completed. It will be each
user's personal "locker" housing all their important airport info (flights,
airline membership numbers, etc.), preferences, likes/dislikes such that AI
will be able to customize layovers for individual users based on time and
preferences. Will also save all of users travel information as reference for
future travel.
FUTURE Feature Ideation
Imagine clicking a button that allows the APP to plan your entire layover at
an airport based on time and preferences.
Apply GO function across the board
LASTLY
A 4.5 billion person market, projected to be 10 billion by 2040;
No one has cracked ONE APP to service both PEOPLE and AIRPORTS
worldwide.
Why not now?