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I surveyed 40 people between 18-25 who identified as "hikers".
92%
Hikers who regularly use apps to plan and execute their hikes.
67%
Hikers who desire easier ways to share their hiking activity online.
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Opportunity
How might I create an app for hikers
and backpackers that allows more social engagement?
What are the top apps currently in this space?
Based on further surveys and app store reviews.
+Area specific trail discovery.
+Search filter capabilities.
+Community based
-Poor sharing capabilities.
+Effective visuals of hike progress.
-Poor interaction between users.
-No ability to filter trails.
+ Notify "safety circle".
+Cell signal maps.
-Only well-known trails.
+3D viewing interface.
-Paid.
+Users able to enter data.
-Incomplete data.
-Doesn't distinguish type of site.
+Directions to other users.
+Embedded messenger options.
-Vague settings.
+Current information.
-Offline maps not complete.
-Not detailed enough.
+Priced low.
-Hard to access saved routes.
-Confusing interface.
+Extensive trail visuals.
+User friendly interface.
+Allows offline use.
-Only national parks included.
What features are this demographic actually intersted in?
Based on further surveys.
Updates on trail conditions
and dangers from peers.
Offline navigation.
Weather tracking
and updates
Sharing photos and route
statistics of finished hike.
Ability to share location
and allow others to
track your progress.
First aid
resources.
Ability to discover other app users
participating in the same activities
as you in your home or planned area.
Cell signal maps
of hiking routes.
Ability to search for resources
near you or in your planned area.
Campsite searching not associated with backpacking trails.
Ability to post on
forums for advice.
Resource maps for camping sites (not for backpacking).
Key Insights
Users get their campsite information from other sources.
Little interest in integrated first aid.
Little interest in integrated weather updates.
Strong interest in offline functions, photo/route sharing, and trail condition updates.
Personas
Dakota
Erin and Sam
Experience Level
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Beginner
Experience Level
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Moderate
Main Engagement
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Often prompted to hike by seeing others post about trails they liked and getting inspired. Otherwise, she usually goes as a way to spend time with friends.
Main Engagement
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Driven by their own desire to hike, but prompted to hike more often when made aware of trails in their area.
Key Wants
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Frictionless exposure to new trails and documentation of her hike to share with friends.
Key Wants
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Easy process for sharing hikes they're interested in with each other. Also, thorough tracking of their data so they can compare their performance.
Kelsey
Experience Level
​
Expert
Main Engagement
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Always searching for new hikes, just needs the perfect tool to do so. Training for a backpacking trip, and likes to closely monitor her performance.
Key Wants
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Discovery of less popular trails that she can try out and leave reviews on. Also, very precise performance data so she can be sure she is on track with her training.
User Journey
1
Motivate
-User decides they should go on a hike.
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-Sees a friend post about a hike that interests them.
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-User is trying to reach
a goal of hikes for the month/year.
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2
Discover
-User searches the area for hikes.
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-User searches for a
hike someone
recommended. or posted about
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-User asks forums for advice on a trail that would suit them.
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3
Plan
-User finds other hikers to do this hike with if desired.
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-User plans specific route and downloads maps to use offline.
-User packs for the length and conditions of trail.
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4
Execute
-User finds directions to the hike trailhead.
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-User navigates the trail and tracks their stats as they progress.
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-User adds trail information along the way to help other users.
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5
View and share.
-User sees the stats of their hike and uploads them to build out the trail profile.
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-User sees how this hike moves them toward their monthly/yearly goal and are congratulated.
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-User shares their progress online
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Site Map
Based on card sorting activity.
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Wireframe Key Insights
Menu Terminology
The term "history" does not convey the destination of user goal tracking.
Menu Button Reach
Menu button too hard to reach for how often it is needed.
Start Hike
Button to start hike is not obvious enough, seeing as
it is a primary function of
this page.
Access Finished Hikes
Difficult to know to scroll down to "history" or finished hikes. Should add a button at the top instead.
Interface Style Guide
Logo Development
Icon Creation
Anchor 1
Key Screens
Use Cases
Dakota is new to the area and wants to hike with a local.
Kelsey wants to discover a new trail to challenge her.
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