This website is best viewed on desktop. Designed and developed in Framer © 2024 Meghana Alla
Making a Case for AR to Support Inclusivity
To enhance the AR experience for indoor navigation, we explored accessibility considerations for how different user groups can interact with AR.
While many of our previous considerations apply to AR experiences, there are specific nuances to AR design that we applied, such as ensuring clear visual contrast between overlaid graphics and the real environment, using visible and universally understood iconography, and providing continuous multi-channel feedback. Most importantly, we ensured the experience begins with clear onboarding, allowing everyone to transition comfortably into a new environment and use a new feature.
Explorations & experiments with a focus on:
Navigation Route
A live AR view that overlays directional indicators onto the real-world environment seen through a mobile device’s camera.
Icons
Augmented signage at important facilities such as exits and elevators to help users identify with ease.
For development of the indoor, we experimented with using Unity and the Vuforia engine. While we faced several challenges in converting product design to AR technology, we created a proof of concept to simulate the augmented experience and provide an insight into the feel of AR navigation.
REFLECTION
My Learnings
Inclusion as Part of Process
As a focus on edge cases, our initial goal was to add accessibility and inclusive features for people with disabilities. Through the course of the project, I realized that edge cases aren't limited to specific groups; anyone can face extreme situations at any time. When inclusion is seen as an integral part of the design process, it not only addresses the needs of a wider user base but also retains existing users and builds trust in the product.
Prioritizing User Understanding
Creating truly inclusive digital experiences requires more than a basic understanding of disabilities. Each experience has unique requirements, making it crucial to avoid assumptions about users and prioritize thorough research to understand their specific needs.
If I were to continue working on this project,
I would break down the areas of interventions (outdoor, indoor and information presentation) we identified further to understand the user journeys in greater detail, test the product in the wild and evaluate my design decisions.
context
The University of Maryland (UMD), College Park is vast and complex, posing navigation challenges for all users, especially those with disabilities. The current university app lacks the functionality to accommodate a seamless campus navigation experience for anyone, making it less user-friendly and intuitive.
SOLUTION
We extended the current functionalities of the outdoor-only platform to design a comprehensive indoor and outdoor navigation system that caters to the diverse needs of the entire campus community by keeping in mind principles of inclusive design.
Process :: PROBLEM Breakdown
Identifying pain points through an in-depth audit of the current system.
Static & Non-Interactive Indoor Maps
Static PDF floor plans lacked interactivity, making it hard for users to find their location or plan routes.
Missing Navigation & Live Updates
Users lacked step-by-step navigation and essential accessibility features. Missing live updates on route closures or construction caused unexpected delays and confusion.
Poor Information Relevance & Presentation
Irrelevant building details, like construction year and floor area, and visual inconsistencies added to user confusion.
Insufficient Customization Options
The app lacked user-friendly features, accessibility information, and adjustable layers, complicating navigation for users with diverse needs.
Identified Pain Points
Mapping Interview Insights to the Flow.
piecing research together
Despite the many reasons behind their requirements, we found overlapping features and needs among different population groups. Our research revealed four key findings that guided our final design solution:
Display crowdsourced information to underscore community support and address empathy gaps.
Enable route planning & guidance to ease the burden of navigating unfamiliar changing spaces.
Allow customization/personalization to cater to changing abilities & contexts.
Include valuable information to foster independence when navigation alone.
New Accessibility Upgrades
Live View Mode: The app switches to Live View mode using augmented reality, displaying directional arrows on the real-world environment for dynamic and visually guided navigation.
Crowdsourced Information: Recognizing the value of crowdsourced data, the app now includes a 'Report Button' for users to report route issues they encounter.
Information Presentation Enhancements
Building information is more meaningful, including pictures of all entrances and building accessibility information.
Layer groupings and naming conventions are adjusted for intuitive use. The app includes an accessibility button, allowing users to switch between layers, adjust display settings, and find ADA-compliant locations.
Route Planning Support
The app displays accessibility icons around users’ location based on the chosen mode of navigation. It also provides a marked path to the destination, with preview options highlighting features such as slopes, staircases, or closed entrances.
Indoors, the app offers detailed building information to improve understanding of the indoor environment. Users can interact with the app, giving them the freedom to hide or view information.
Guided Navigation
The updated navigation system provides preview routes for advance planning, step count to destination, and live augmented reality (AR) guidance.
Clear safety notifications, proactive alerts and split-screen directions enhance security and convenience.
Customized Navigation Modes
Users select their preferred navigation mode for personalized routes, including walking, biking, or wheelchair accessibility.
Indoors, users, especially those with mobility challenges, can select accessible routes, avoiding stairs and other obstacles.
design
Final Solution
We opted for a new visual identity, incorporating new fonts and icons. Importantly, we expanded the existing UMD color palette to denote different markers on campus, enhancing consistency and facilitating easy identification of campus infrastructure.
ideation
Mid-Fidelity Screens
User stories: outlining what users need
We focused on three intervention areas: Outdoor Navigation, Indoor Navigation, and Information Presentation.
Using initial user groups, W3C user stories, and interview design recommendations, we created our own user stories and identified key features and visual enhancements for the mobile platform.
“...I want the platform to identify infrastructure features such as steep inclines along my route so that I can plan my path accordingly and avoid encountering impassable terrain....”
Motorized Wheelchair User
“...I want to know up-to-date route information that reflects current campus conditions. I need it to include key landmarks into its navigation instructions to help me orient myself...”
Ph.D. Student with Anxiety
“...I want the university navigation app to provide step-by-step directions within buildings, including clear instructions on locating classrooms so that I can navigate with less dependence...”
International Freshman
Learning from existing resources
Campus maps differ from other navigation apps. While outdoor navigation is familiar, we lacked expertise in indoor navigation, especially for individuals with disabilities. To gain insights and inspiration, we examined other campus maps and reviewed existing literature.
Given our limited interview pool, secondary research was essential for understanding navigation specifics, including infrastructure features affecting mobility and community needs from a navigation support platform.
understanding OUR TARGET USER GROUPS
To gain a deeper understanding of users, we conducted semi-structured interviews with field experts about special needs of individuals with disabilities, and students facing navigation challenges.
View Affinity Map
We conducted four interviews: two with experts in assisting students with disabilities, focusing on assistive technology and accommodations, and two with students—one experiencing severe social anxiety and another using a wheelchair. From these interviews, we were able to validate identified problem areas, understand specific needs of each user group, and synthesize design recommendations.
Problem Areas
Recommendations
FINDING OUR TARGET USER GROUPS
In developing a solution prioritizing inclusivity, we considered diverse user groups, specially those with permanent, temporary, and situational disabilities.
Vision & Auditory Impairments
Cognitive & Learning Disabilities
Physical Impairments
Unfamiliarity With The Campus
We initially developed proto-personas using desk research and AI, then refined them throughout the project as our understanding of user groups evolved.
User Personas
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we create an efficient navigation system that provides a seamless and inclusive way-finding experience for diverse user groups?
Re-Imagining Campus Navigation
TIMELINE
October - December 2023
TEAM
3 UX Designers
MY ROLE
Lead Designer, Literature Review, Overall Data Synthesis