In fall 2011, my Design Research classmates Janette Song, Bill Rihn, Lisa Woods and I were presented with the task of investigating how people navigate using cues from the natural world. Acting as the research firm Calicocho with Garmin as our prospective client, we spent the semester conducting in-depth studies on navigation - from behavioral research, navigation intercept interviews in the field, conversations with industry experts, to qualitative interviews with both GPS users and abstainers. Here is the slideshow of our final insights, presented to the CCA community December 2011.

1. you are
here.
welcome!

2. design research consulting
design insights
on navigation
Presenters:
Allison Leach, Bill Rihn, Janette Markel, and Lisa Woods
California College of the Arts
Design Research class
December 5, 2011

3. overview
Garmin approached us to conduct
research for a new approach to
direction mapping that integrates
elements of the natural world.

4. demographics
male
female
0 2 4 6 8 10
bus riders
walkers
drivers
subway riders
bikers
longboarders
0 2 4 6 8 10
online map
car GPS
stand-alone GPS
smartphone GPS
0 2 4 6 8 10

5. target
participants L O CAL S
+
TOURISTS
NATURE
E XP E RT S + URBAN
NAVIGATORS
navigation
perspectives
G P S -US E RS DRIVERS +
+ NON-
NO N-G P S DRIVERS
US E RS
E X T RE ME
US E RS

6. methodology
P H O TO D I A RY M A P D R AW I N G I N - D E PTH
I N T E RVIEW
EXPERT INTERCEPT P U B L I C BLOG
I N T E RV I E W I N T E RV I E W

8. 3 contradictions

9. CONTRADICTION #1:
“I use my GPS all the time,
but I really wish I could
navigate without it.”

10. ALLEN A R IE L ABHA

11. “bad lost” / “good lost”
navigation strategies
pro-active learners / instinctive learners
pride in navigational skills
growing use of GPS
B RY C E A R IE L

12. CONTRADICTION #2
“I sometimes
enjoy getting lost.
Occasionally, I’ll
even get lost on
purpose!”

13. exploring & unique visual cues

14. CONTRADICTION #3
“I don’t use a GPS
to give directions.”

15. giving directions
park / downtown
bodily orientation
empathy
accuracy
GPS non-usage
memorable units of information
“TH E FLA S H ”

16. synthesis

17. CO NTRADICTION #1:
“I use my GPS all the time, but I really learning
wish I could navigate without it.”
CONTRADICTION #2:
“I sometimes enjoy getting lost. exploring
I’ll even get lost on purpose!”
CONTRADICTION #3: direction-
“I don’t use a GPS to give directions.” giving

18. a desired navigation experience:
creates a learning adventure
supports
and empathy
evokes a multi-sensory journey
LE A R N IN G E X P LOR IN G G I VI NG DI RECTI O NS

19. design opportunity:
An interactive system that encourages people to:
build upon their innate navigational
capabilities
learn about and explore their surroundings

20. questions?