GraceGerdes.com | Sigo Navigation App Project

Sigo: App Development | Spring 2020

Title

Overview

Sigo is a simplified navigation app that allows people with Down syndrome to navigate autonomously throughout their daily lives. The initial user research and a basic understanding of Down syndrome revealed that current map applications, such as Google Maps or local public transport directories, show too many options and are overwhelming. .....Because of those limitations, users are unable to travel outside of their practiced routines or self-correct if they get off track. It’s also difficult for loved ones to provide help remotely.

Using Adobe XD, Google Futter, and Android Studio, I conducted various stages of user testing and arrived at a solution that provides simplified map information, immediate directions and opportunities for self-correction. Sigo also alerts loved-ones of progress along the way and in doing so, allows users to comfortably travel outside of their normal routine.

This project began as a problem that was pitched by Asindown to exchange students at UPV in the European Project Semester program. In partnership with Asindown, my team began conducting user research in Spain until many exchange students were forced to return home due to the onset of the pandemic. Unfortunately, my teammates decided to pursue a different EPS project back in their home countries; however, I was determined to continue the project. I devised ways to conduct remote user testing and worked virtually with Asindown through the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Now in Fall 2020, I have continued to partner with the foundation and further the development of SIGO because I believe that this project could greatly impact an overlooked demographic and improve their quality of life. I am currently looking for additional partners to assist with user testing! If you are interested, please reach out through the contact form page. By working with more foundations and individuals, I aim to achieve a wider sample size and more accurate user testing data.

Design Objective

Create a solution that allows people with Down syndrome to travel autonomously.

Our Partner

Asindown is the foundation that proposed this project. They are a nonprofit organization in Valencia, Spain that helps children and adults with Down syndrome and their families by providing classes, activities, and lots of support.

Personas

USER RESEARCH

Personas

I held group interviews with professionals and students, such as Pablo and Clara, to find out how they arrive to and from school, as well as travel to other locations in their daily lives. Many of them successfully use public transportation, but only after they train hours and hours to be able to travel along a single route.

Personas

Current Resources

Resources

User Needs

Along with the interviews, I also participated in a Google Maps training session to identify specific issues related to map applications and observed a boxing class to learn more about the physical conditions of people with Down syndrome. Based on their abilities, I identified five pain points with the current resources, and in return, five aspects of the solution to address those needs.

User Needs

Types of Solutions

Solutions

USER TESTING

User Testing Components

At this point, many students on exchange were sent home due to the onset of the pandemic. I had to devise ways of conducting user testing remotely. I created a map that that can be laid out and followed from each individual user’s living room. Below is the total map and there are three different routes that are designed to test aspects of the final app solution. Each part of those tests (or “games” as they were referred to among the users) includes a presentation, video, instruction document, and survey. If you’re interested in the following parts, or participating in user testing, please login or register through the main menu.

Click Here for Login Page

Complete Map

Total Map

Route One: Turning and Going Straight

Route One

Route Two: Crossing the Street

Route Two

Route Three: Taking the Bus

Route Three

Component One: Presentation

Component Two: Video and Instructional Document

Click here to view the instructional PDF document.

Component Three: Survey

The survey was the most important component of user testing because it was the only way for me to get solid feedback while working remotely. After completing the first part of building the map, the survey questions were mainly intended to get feedback on the format of the testing so that I could know best how to proceed during the following parts.

Survey One

Survey Two

Survey Three

Wireframes

I chose to make the initial mock-ups in Balsamiq to ensure that I prioritized a simple user interface and could emphasize the most important elements.

Mockup One

Mockup Two

FINAL PROTOTYPE

Branding

In Spanish, “Sigo” translates to “I go”, which reveals the sense of autonomy users will achieve when using the app. For those that remember a little high school Spanish, the name also might be misheard as “si, go”, or in other words “yes, go”.

Branding

Final Mock-ups

Final Mock-up

Features

The login feature allows parent accounts to connect to their child’s. They can track progress and upload new destinations. The navigation page uses visual icons, written instructions, and spoken instructions to direct the user. The screen also connects to the users camera and shows the street ahead when the phone is turned in the correct direction. This addresses a specific pain point and safety issue that was noticed during user research because users often got to engrossed in their screen and didn’t look up enough.

Features

User Flow

Another important feature of Sigo will be that parents’ accounts can be linked to their children’s, so that that they can choose specific routes and also follow their child’s progress along the route. This user flow map reveals that interconnectedness.

User Flow

Future Elements

During our initial research, gamification was another element we noticed that greatly helped engage the users. Incorporating elements of gamification into the app development in the future could greatly help reduce the stress of traveling and help increase focus. Crowdsourcing is another element that could be beneficial to incorporate so that users can feel comfortable asking for help along their route.

Thank You!

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