Getting Seniors from A to B.
Context
I took a Harvard Extension School class the summer of 2021. Advanced User Experience was an opportunity for me to practice the design process. The theme for the class was designing for older individuals and through this the idea for Maps was born.
Problem
None of my older relatives (60+) have ever used a navigation app on their own. I watch them share content on Facebook and chat with each other on WhatsApp, but they won't touch google maps. Why? Because posting a blurry picture on Facebook is one thing, but mess up the directions and end up lost or worse in an accident.
Goal: Design an accessible navigation app for older users.
Competitors
Google Maps
Apple Maps
Waze
Accessibility Issues
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Small buttons & areas to type
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Unintuitive buttons
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Overwhelming amount of information
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Busy screens
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Too many extra options
High barrier to entry for seniors.
Persona
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The persona is not tech savvy. Although they can see the value in tech, new tech makes them nervous. Driving-wise, they stick to where they know, only deviating when forced to. The persona is focused on getting from A to B.
Summative testing
Testing the control: Google Maps
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Test user was a 66-year-old
family member -
Study was conducted in her native langue (Spanish) although she understood English
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Issues with Google Maps
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Infrequent directions or directions given too late
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Directions given in reference to distance necessitates frequent glances at the app screen
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Missing directions for certain roadways, such as forks
Google maps assumes a high-dexterity user.
Wireframes
Easy start screen
Simplified search
Only one route shown with necessary information
Directions repeated often with reference when possible
Usability Test
Testing the low-fidelity prototype
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The experience was simulated
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Lo-fi prototype was projected onto cell phone
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A separate device played voice commands
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Predetermined route
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Same user as in summative testing
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Features:​
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Directions were given frequently, often repeated
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Directions given in reference to lights when possible
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Forks and splits in the road considered
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