Joining the dots. Maps for social.
Mapunity approached Dig to bring together its core Maps+Community platform. The core application was designed to provide a location-based platform for individuals and groups to mark, collaborate, and search for their interests. Dig conducted user studies to corroborate the potential of such a platform for social causes like mapping out the spread of diseases over time, etc.
Dig's approach focused on making prominent the information contributed by the community . Subgroups within each Mapunity were made distinguishable by color to aid pattern recognition. The prominence was furthered by Visual Design as a toned down base map worked to amplify the UGC. The platform was designed to give the users the latitude to customize look and feel as per their needs.
APPROACH// Dig designed the application to provide for multiple layers of information to be juxtaposed by the user to reveal (otherwise hidden) patterns in a geographical context. Information across communities could also be merged on the fly for a cumulative view. The design allowed the users to categorize mapunities, search for similar mapunities, annotate maps and save snapshots across a time-line.
MAP DESIGN// Dig provided the design specifications for showing places, roads, rivers, landmarks and other map information planned for each of the 18 zoom levels. Users could also choose map themes that went with their Mapunities – heritage map, etc. Graphical elements / Icons were created for these map styles.
PROCESS// Dig process was planned such that the Wireframes became the crucial hub in discussing features and interaction - using which the tech team could work in parallel thereby reducing time to beta.
USER STUDIES// Slipping into the users’ shoes was the first stage in Dig's design process. User studies were conducted and folks who could utilize the app in their social causes were chosen to form the major pie of the study. Dig clarified the nuances of 'community + mapping' needs that emerged from users and organizations and used it as the main driver for features and UI experience decisions.
