campusnavi - mobile app
Taking the Confusion Out of Navigating University Campus
Product thinking, mobile app design, interaction design
summer 2025
timeline
2 weeks for personal project
role
User Flows, UX Design, Prototyping, Visual Design, Product Thinking, Product Design
team
Just me! :)
tools
Figma
campusnavi - mobile app
Taking the Confusion Out of Navigating University Campus
Product thinking, mobile app design, interaction design
summer 2025
timeline
2 weeks for personal project
role
User Flows, UX Design, Prototyping, Visual Design, Product Thinking, Product Design
team
Just me! :)
tools
Figma
campusnavi - mobile app
Taking the Confusion Out of Navigating University Campus
Product thinking, mobile app design, interaction design
summer 2025
timeline
2 weeks for personal project
role
User Flows, UX Design, Prototyping, Visual Design, Product Thinking, Product Design
team
Just me! :)
tools
Figma
context
It’s hard to navigate a university campus, especially when you’re new to it
context
It’s hard to navigate a university campus, especially when you’re new to it
context
It’s hard to navigate a university campus, especially when you’re new to it
FIG. 1
University of Calgary Campus
FIG. 1
University of Calgary Campus
Navigating university campus can be a stressful and cumbersome experience
This task becomes easier when you are familiar with the school layout, but tons of visitors and new students come in at any time and end up getting lost or spending a lot of time navigating.
In a rush or a pinch, it’s hard to not to get anxious about reaching your destination in time.
Navigating university campus can be a stressful and cumbersome experience
This task becomes easier when you are familiar with the school layout, but tons of visitors and new students come in at any time and end up getting lost or spending a lot of time navigating.
In a rush or a pinch, it’s hard to not to get anxious about reaching your destination in time.
Navigating university campus can be a stressful and cumbersome experience
This task becomes easier when you are familiar with the school layout, but tons of visitors and new students come in at any time and end up getting lost or spending a lot of time navigating.
In a rush or a pinch, it’s hard to not to get anxious about reaching your destination in time.
Existing navigation solutions are not suited to the problem
Although Google Maps helps navigate between buildings, there isn’t much more than signage to help you get you to the places you want to go.
Moreover, UCalgary’s interactive map tool is limited in interaction, as it only gives PDF floor plans and aerial views of outdoor buildings.
Existing navigation solutions are not suited to the problem
Although Google Maps helps navigate between buildings, there isn’t much more than signage to help you get you to the places you want to go.
Moreover, UCalgary’s interactive map tool is limited in interaction, as it only gives PDF floor plans and aerial views of outdoor buildings.
Existing navigation solutions are not suited to the problem
Although Google Maps helps navigate between buildings, there isn’t much more than signage to help you get you to the places you want to go.
Moreover, UCalgary’s interactive map tool is limited in interaction, as it only gives PDF floor plans and aerial views of outdoor buildings.
problem statement
How might we make campus navigation easier for those who are new to campus?
problem statement
How might we make campus navigation easier for those who are new to campus?
problem statement
How might we make campus navigation easier for those who are new to campus?
initial brainstorming
Imagining the simplest ways to navigate campus
initial brainstorming
Imagining the simplest ways to navigate campus
initial brainstorming
Imagining the simplest ways to navigate campus
FIG. 3
A sketch of my brainstormed solution
FIG. 3
A sketch of my brainstormed solution
Following a path that guides you at every step, and adapts to any detours.
Taking inspiration from open world games such as Genshin Impact, I imagined an ideal solution would resemble a path that you are able to view and follow at every turn.
This path would dynamically adapt to where you are, and wherever you move to get you to your destination.
Following a path that guides you at every step, and adapts to any detours.
Taking inspiration from open world games such as Genshin Impact, I imagined an ideal solution would resemble a path that you are able to view and follow at every turn.
This path would dynamically adapt to where you are, and wherever you move to get you to your destination.
Following a path that guides you at every step, and adapts to any detours.
Taking inspiration from open world games such as Genshin Impact, I imagined an ideal solution would resemble a path that you are able to view and follow at every turn.
This path would dynamically adapt to where you are, and wherever you move to get you to your destination.
research
How do people like to get to new places on campus in a pinch?
research
How do people like to get to new places on campus in a pinch?
research
How do people like to get to new places on campus in a pinch?
I created and sent out a survey to validate my ideas
I figured that user interviews, for instance, might not be needed as I was looking for a greater volume of responses to verify my thoughts; thus, I sent out a survey.
I received 17 responses from 13 first and second year students, and 4 responses from upper years.
I created and sent out a survey to validate my ideas
I figured that user interviews, for instance, might not be needed as I was looking for a greater volume of responses to verify my thoughts; thus, I sent out a survey.
I received 17 responses from 13 first and second year students, and 4 responses from upper years.
I created and sent out a survey to validate my ideas
I figured that user interviews, for instance, might not be needed as I was looking for a greater volume of responses to verify my thoughts; thus, I sent out a survey.
I received 17 responses from 13 first and second year students, and 4 responses from upper years.
Key Insights
Key Insights
Those newer to campus preferred following someone
When in a pinch, the first and second year respondents preferred following someone to reliably reach their destination.
Those newer to campus preferred following someone
When in a pinch, the first and second year respondents preferred following someone to reliably reach their destination.
Those newer to campus preferred following someone
When in a pinch, the first and second year respondents preferred following someone to reliably reach their destination.
UCalgary students like to navigate independently
Respondents who preferred to use solo navigation methods cited they didn’t want to bother others to get to their destinations.
UCalgary students like to navigate independently
Respondents who preferred to use solo navigation methods cited they didn’t want to bother others to get to their destinations.
UCalgary students like to navigate independently
Respondents who preferred to use solo navigation methods cited they didn’t want to bother others to get to their destinations.
Navigating indoors only is more challenging
On a campus that sometimes sees temperatures under -20C for a month at a time, students are more inclined to follow friends for indoor routes.
Navigating indoors only is more challenging
On a campus that sometimes sees temperatures under -20C for a month at a time, students are more inclined to follow friends for indoor routes.
Navigating indoors only is more challenging
On a campus that sometimes sees temperatures under -20C for a month at a time, students are more inclined to follow friends for indoor routes.
Anecdotal insight
We should ensure this tool is easy to use, and is able to transcend barriers like language!
We should ensure this tool is easy to use, and is able to transcend barriers like language!
Bumping into some exchange students reaffirmed my survey findings.
Bumping into some exchange students reaffirmed my survey findings.
An interaction I had with lost exchange students on campus made me realize they were struggling because existing tools were ill-suited to those who didn’t already recognize each building or know each building’s name.
An interaction I had with lost exchange students on campus made me realize they were struggling because existing tools were ill-suited to those who didn’t already recognize each building or know each building’s name.
It was much easier for them to follow me to their location, as it cut out many unknowns.
It was much easier for them to follow me to their location, as it cut out many unknowns.
research - technical feasibility
Using my technical knowledge to see how I might bring my idea to reality
research - technical feasibility
Using my technical knowledge to see how I might bring my idea to reality
research - technical feasibility
Using my technical knowledge to see how I might bring my idea to reality
I brainstormed and researched some potential ways I could create a useful navigation tool
I brainstormed and researched some potential ways I could create a useful navigation tool
A head anchored augmented reality guide
This is not widely accessible for most people, but would allow my original vision to come to life.
A head anchored augmented reality guide
This is not widely accessible for most people, but would allow my original vision to come to life.
A head anchored augmented reality guide
This is not widely accessible for most people, but would allow my original vision to come to life.
Augmented reality guide on mobile phone
Practical and useful as long as it is accurate, but may create awkwardness from holding out cameras in public.
Augmented reality guide on mobile phone
Practical and useful as long as it is accurate, but may create awkwardness from holding out cameras in public.
Augmented reality guide on mobile phone
Practical and useful as long as it is accurate, but may create awkwardness from holding out cameras in public.
A map app suited for indoor and outdoor spaces
Familiar and easy to use, but implementation tends to be expensive.
A map app suited for indoor and outdoor spaces
Familiar and easy to use, but implementation tends to be expensive.
A map app suited for indoor and outdoor spaces
Familiar and easy to use, but implementation tends to be expensive.
There are different categories of conversations
There are different categories of conversations
Bluetooth Beacons
This would be expensive to implement over a large campus, and impossible without the school’s collaboration.
Bluetooth Beacons
This would be expensive to implement over a large campus, and impossible without the school’s collaboration.
Bluetooth Beacons
This would be expensive to implement over a large campus, and impossible without the school’s collaboration.
Magnetic Field Mapping
Enables location tracking accurate enough for indoor use, but volatile as the Earth’s magnetic field changes.
Magnetic Field Mapping
Enables location tracking accurate enough for indoor use, but volatile as the Earth’s magnetic field changes.
Magnetic Field Mapping
Enables location tracking accurate enough for indoor use, but volatile as the Earth’s magnetic field changes.
QR Codes
QR codes could serve as landmarks to help navigate with, but this would require pointing your camera all over the place and putting them all up permanently, which wouldn’t be allowed.
QR Codes
QR codes could serve as landmarks to help navigate with, but this would require pointing your camera all over the place and putting them all up permanently, which wouldn’t be allowed.
QR Codes
QR codes could serve as landmarks to help navigate with, but this would require pointing your camera all over the place and putting them all up permanently, which wouldn’t be allowed.
From a technical standpoint, the ideal solution seemed difficult to implement.
I needed to think of a solution that would suffice given the vast limitations posed to existing indoor navigation techniques.
I kept brainstorming for more options, asking for advice from engineers along the way.
From a technical standpoint, the ideal solution seemed difficult to implement.
I needed to think of a solution that would suffice given the vast limitations posed to existing indoor navigation techniques.
I kept brainstorming for more options, asking for advice from engineers along the way.
From a technical standpoint, the ideal solution seemed difficult to implement.
I needed to think of a solution that would suffice given the vast limitations posed to existing indoor navigation techniques.
I kept brainstorming for more options, asking for advice from engineers along the way.
key insight
Following a video of someone walking from point A to point B simulates following them in person
We should honor the premium experience that select users pay for, even if there might be free-users in the party
FIG. 5
Navigating UCalgary campus
Navigating UCalgary campus
I talked to software engineers about video generation
Allow rooms with those who subscribe to Premium to watch ad-free
This is where I got the idea of using retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques to generate videos of the desired path.
This is where I got the idea of using retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques to generate videos of the desired path.
I hypothesized this would closely resemble following someone, but require less of the hardware other approaches use.
I hypothesized this would closely resemble following someone, but require less of the hardware other approaches use.
solution highlights
An effective way to navigate campus independently, without the extensive additional hardware
solution highlights
An effective way to navigate campus independently, without the extensive additional hardware
solution highlights
An effective way to navigate campus independently, without the extensive additional hardware
Follow the leader! A retrieval augmented generation system as a campus guide
I envision being able to take a few pictures of one’s starting location, type in a destination, and have a video generate for you at the click of a button.
The video would serve as the guide to get you to your destination.
Follow the leader! A retrieval augmented generation system as a campus guide
I envision being able to take a few pictures of one’s starting location, type in a destination, and have a video generate for you at the click of a button.
The video would serve as the guide to get you to your destination.
Follow the leader! A retrieval augmented generation system as a campus guide
I envision being able to take a few pictures of one’s starting location, type in a destination, and have a video generate for you at the click of a button.
The video would serve as the guide to get you to your destination.
Go from anywhere: Take a few pictures of your surroundings, then generate a video guide
How can we facilitate navigation for those who may not be familiar with building names?
Go from anywhere: Take a few pictures of your surroundings, then generate a video guide
How can we facilitate navigation for those who may not be familiar with building names?
Go from anywhere: Take a few pictures of your surroundings, then generate a video guide
How can we facilitate navigation for those who may not be familiar with building names?
Route previews: view a sped up video to preview your route
How might we quickly, and visually illustrate a path to the target location?
Route previews: view a sped up video to preview your route
How might we quickly, and visually illustrate a path to the target location?
Route previews: view a sped up video to preview your route
How might we quickly, and visually illustrate a path to the target location?
Follow along: follow the video and walk to your destination in real time
How might we simulate following someone to a destination when using this navigation tool?
Follow along: follow the video and walk to your destination in real time
How might we simulate following someone to a destination when using this navigation tool?
Follow along: follow the video and walk to your destination in real time
How might we simulate following someone to a destination when using this navigation tool?
Skip to the good stuff: tap the timeline to view events like turning and going up the stairs
How can we address the time lag from a video in real time navigation?
Skip to the good stuff: tap the timeline to view events like turning and going up the stairs
How can we address the time lag from a video in real time navigation?
Skip to the good stuff: tap the timeline to view events like turning and going up the stairs
How can we address the time lag from a video in real time navigation?
reflections
Balancing creativity and feasibility is a great challenge when you know both sides
reflections
Balancing creativity and feasibility is a great challenge when you know both sides
reflections
Balancing creativity and feasibility is a great challenge when you know both sides
Don’t let creativity be limited by your own knowledge of technical constraints
Don’t let creativity be limited by your own knowledge of technical constraints
Research from many sources is important
I only discovered the feasibility of video generation by consulting with engineers, and almost gave up on the idea
Research from many sources is important
I only discovered the feasibility of video generation by consulting with engineers, and almost gave up on the idea
Research from many sources is important
I only discovered the feasibility of video generation by consulting with engineers, and almost gave up on the idea
On the other hand, technical constraints are important to design around
Many navigational techniques I researched required expensive equipment, which was important to account for in design.
On the other hand, technical constraints are important to design around
Many navigational techniques I researched required expensive equipment, which was important to account for in design.
On the other hand, technical constraints are important to design around
Many navigational techniques I researched required expensive equipment, which was important to account for in design.
If I had more time, I would...
If I had more time, I would...
Conduct user testing
It’s important to test out the prototype and receive feedback
Conduct user testing
It’s important to test out the prototype and receive feedback
Conduct user testing
It’s important to test out the prototype and receive feedback
Interview visitors to UCalgary who are new to campus
I would like to speak to more exchange students and visitors to the school to hear their experience to further inform design.
Interview visitors to UCalgary who are new to campus
I would like to speak to more exchange students and visitors to the school to hear their experience to further inform design.
Interview visitors to UCalgary who are new to campus
I would like to speak to more exchange students and visitors to the school to hear their experience to further inform design.