Wayfinding: Meeting 03 - App Design

After researching into augmented reality and app design, we started to plan the app.

We decided that we would need specified sections of the app.

- Different languages for international students (this improves accessibility)

- Facilities - which would include canteen, library, toilets

- Courses - illustration, graphic design etc.

- Workshops - digital print, woodwork etc.

A video would also need to be made for the app to show the walkthrough of the university and demonstrate our use of augmented reality.

We wanted to make the design of the app really simple so as to not confuse users, so keep it text based. The initial designs we came up with consisted of simple list menus which expand to include more options, under each section.

However we were unhappy with the design of this app. We thought the ombre pink and blue made the aesthetic more childish and that the abundance of text could get confusing and looked cluttered. We thought that we could create something that would look more professional and also more appealing to use. 

Within the design of the app we delegated tasks to ensure that equal involvement would be had by all - we created the app in a shared illustrator document which meant even though the sections would be created individually they would follow the same theme and design. 

We needed to make sure the app was individual to and obviously belonging to Leeds Arts University specifically. The colour of the uni is a bright pink which we wanted elements of within the app, but only small elements so as to not overwhelm as in our original design. We also used Futura as a typeface as it has been implemented around the uni already, tying the app into the existing designs within the university.

Amy - Designs for the map (include each floor of the Uni)
Callum - First two screens and putting the app together on Adobe XD (finalisation) 
Charlotte - Language selection and Search bar
Hannah - QR codes and link mock ups 
Liam - Editing the final video

Instead of having lots of complicated sections, the newer version of the app is simplified to a few main sections which reduces confusion.
To begin with, the phone will need to scan the QR codes found around uni. Alternatively the user can use the free wifi provided by the university to enter the weblink to open the app through a webpage.

 

The QR code will open the open screen of the app (below).

screen 1

screen 2

Language screen - this was important as the university is multi lingual with international students and visitors. The diversity within the uni ensures the need for accessibility within the app, so we included the 6 main languages represented by sections of countries flags. After the language is chosen, the app will open to the main section.

screen 3

The search screen will show the environment the user is in, using the phone camera and the user searches their intended destination.

screen 4

screen 5

The app will give the user two options - a simplified 2 dimensional map showing the directions to follow (below).

screen 6

The other option is the augmented reality section, which walks the user through the university building to reach their destination. The final app is demonstrated in the video below.

Rationale: A wayfinding tool which allows the user to easily navigate their way around Leeds Arts University in real time. Our use of augmented reality means that visitors can use their own personal devices to interact with the interface, being guided from A to B.