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From 0 to 1: Designing for Geospatial-AR Developers
From 0 to 1: Designing for Geospatial-AR Developers
From 0 to 1: Designing for Geospatial-AR Developers
Granting developers the power of Pokemon Go's Map
Granting developers the power of Pokemon Go's Map
For 18 months, I led the design for a new developer app that grants access to the company's map (the same one used in Pokemon Go). Through this access, users can create 3D meshes, explore the map, and develop localized-AR content of their dreams. During my tenure, I worked closely with both internal teammates (Product Managers, Engineers, Operations) and external teams (Other Product Teams, R&D, Trust & Safety, Legal) to ensure alignment and delivery of features, proactively facilitating meetings and updates.
For 18 months, I led the design for a new developer app that grants access to the company's map (the same one used in Pokemon Go). Through this access, users can create 3D meshes, explore the map, and develop localized-AR content of their dreams. During my tenure, I worked closely with both internal teammates (Product Managers, Engineers, Operations) and external teams (Other Product Teams, R&D, Trust & Safety, Legal) to ensure alignment and delivery of features, proactively facilitating meetings and updates.
Client
Client
Niantic
Niantic
Timeline
Timeline
18 months
18 months
AR Content That is Location Specific
Location-based AR is content that is dependent on the user’s location. For instance, when a user is standing in New York City and points their phone at the Empire State Building, they should see King Kong scaling the skyscraper, just like the iconic scene from the movies. This immersive experience does not work if the user is standing in San Francisco or Tokyo. Thus, the AR experience is dependent on the user standing in a specific location: the Empire State Building in NYC.
This is the type of content that Wayfarer App wants to help users build.
AR Content That is Location Specific
Location-based AR is content that is dependent on the user’s location. For instance, when a user is standing in New York City and points their phone at the Empire State Building, they should see King Kong scaling the skyscraper, just like the iconic scene from the movies. This immersive experience does not work if the user is standing in San Francisco or Tokyo. Thus, the AR experience is dependent on the user standing in a specific location: the Empire State Building in NYC.
This is the type of content that Wayfarer App wants to help users build.
AR Content That is Location Specific
Location-based AR is content that is dependent on the user’s location. For instance, when a user is standing in New York City and points their phone at the Empire State Building, they should see King Kong scaling the skyscraper, just like the iconic scene from the movies. This immersive experience does not work if the user is standing in San Francisco or Tokyo. Thus, the AR experience is dependent on the user standing in a specific location: the Empire State Building in NYC.
This is the type of content that Wayfarer App wants to help users build.
From Hobbyists to Big Studios, Anyone Can Create
Users of the app range from individual AR hobbyists to multi-teams studios. Notable clients include HBO, Coca-Cola, and National Golf League.
Sample of businesses that have used Niantic's developer tools.
From Hobbyists to Big Studios, Anyone Can Create
Users of the app range from individual AR hobbyists to multi-teams studios. Notable clients include HBO, Coca-Cola, and National Golf League.
Sample of businesses that have used Niantic's developer tools.
From Hobbyists to Big Studios, Anyone Can Create
Users of the app range from individual AR hobbyists to multi-teams studios. Notable clients include HBO, Coca-Cola, and National Golf League.
Sample of businesses that have used Niantic's developer tools.
Design Sessions for Quick Alignment
In the early stages of development, I hosted design sessions with cross-functional stakeholders to quickly generate ideas, evaluate feasibility, and reach alignment on product requirements. This was the first time the team had a designer and participated in a design session. Although there was skepticism and uncertainty in the beginning, the team afterwards recognized the value of a collaborative session. This positive experienced led to annual design sessions going forward.
In the inital stages, I hosted desgin sessions to quickly align the team on product.
Design Sessions for Quick Alignment
In the early stages of development, I hosted design sessions with cross-functional stakeholders to quickly generate ideas, evaluate feasibility, and reach alignment on product requirements. This was the first time the team had a designer and participated in a design session. Although there was skepticism and uncertainty in the beginning, the team afterwards recognized the value of a collaborative session. This positive experienced led to annual design sessions going forward.
In the inital stages, I hosted desgin sessions to quickly align the team on product.
Design Sessions for Quick Alignment
In the early stages of development, I hosted design sessions with cross-functional stakeholders to quickly generate ideas, evaluate feasibility, and reach alignment on product requirements. This was the first time the team had a designer and participated in a design session. Although there was skepticism and uncertainty in the beginning, the team afterwards recognized the value of a collaborative session. This positive experienced led to annual design sessions going forward.
In the inital stages, I hosted desgin sessions to quickly align the team on product.
Research and Analyze
I researched and analyzed geospatial apps and AR platforms, evaluating their features, user experience, and visual design. I also inquired with other internal teams on how they use the company's map, their workflow, end goals, and frustrations.
I analyzed geospatial apps (Google Maps, All Trails) and AR platforms (ARCore, ARKit).
Research and Analyze
I researched and analyzed geospatial apps and AR platforms, evaluating their features, user experience, and visual design. I also inquired with other internal teams on how they use the company's map, their workflow, end goals, and frustrations.
I analyzed geospatial apps (Google Maps, All Trails) and AR platforms (ARCore, ARKit).
Research and Analyze
I researched and analyzed geospatial apps and AR platforms, evaluating their features, user experience, and visual design. I also inquired with other internal teams on how they use the company's map, their workflow, end goals, and frustrations.
I analyzed geospatial apps (Google Maps, All Trails) and AR platforms (ARCore, ARKit).
Mapping Out the Flow
The Wayfarer app is part of the company’s developer product line, Lightship. Thus, I had to design both the experience inside the app and outside on other company's platforms. How would the user go from one company’s product to another? How do all the products connect with each other?
Simplified user flow for the app and its relationship with the company's developer platform, Lightship.
Mapping Out the Flow
The Wayfarer app is part of the company’s developer product line, Lightship. Thus, I had to design both the experience inside the app and outside on other company's platforms. How would the user go from one company’s product to another? How do all the products connect with each other?
Simplified user flow for the app and its relationship with the company's developer platform, Lightship.
Mapping Out the Flow
The Wayfarer app is part of the company’s developer product line, Lightship. Thus, I had to design both the experience inside the app and outside on other company's platforms. How would the user go from one company’s product to another? How do all the products connect with each other?
Simplified user flow for the app and its relationship with the company's developer platform, Lightship.
Clean Organization with Info Arch
Alongside the user flow, I developed the app's information architerature. This helps ensure and understands what information the user is presented at each stage. Additionally, it helps prevent confusion and facilitate team consensus on the layout of info.
I created the app's information architerature.
Clean Organization with Info Arch
Alongside the user flow, I developed the app's information architerature. This helps ensure and understands what information the user is presented at each stage. Additionally, it helps prevent confusion and facilitate team consensus on the layout of info.
I created the app's information architerature.
Clean Organization with Info Arch
Alongside the user flow, I developed the app's information architerature. This helps ensure and understands what information the user is presented at each stage. Additionally, it helps prevent confusion and facilitate team consensus on the layout of info.
I created the app's information architerature.
Build Fast, Test Fast, and Deploy Fast
With a 4-6 week release cycle, I worked fast to translate user insights and business requirements into wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
Many, many mocks were created.
Build Fast, Test Fast, and Deploy Fast
With a 4-6 week release cycle, I worked fast to translate user insights and business requirements into wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
Many, many mocks were created.
Build Fast, Test Fast, and Deploy Fast
With a 4-6 week release cycle, I worked fast to translate user insights and business requirements into wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
Many, many mocks were created.
Adding Design Into the Development Process
Prior to joining, the team never had a designer. I had to create a new process with design included. There were early hiccups from miscommunication to misalignment, Eventually we found a way to work together and incorporate user-centric design into product planning.
From beginning to end, a journey of integrating design.
Adding Design Into the Development Process
Prior to joining, the team never had a designer. I had to create a new process with design included. There were early hiccups from miscommunication to misalignment, Eventually we found a way to work together and incorporate user-centric design into product planning.
From beginning to end, a journey of integrating design.
Adding Design Into the Development Process
Prior to joining, the team never had a designer. I had to create a new process with design included. There were early hiccups from miscommunication to misalignment, Eventually we found a way to work together and incorporate user-centric design into product planning.
From beginning to end, a journey of integrating design.
Android Reaches +50k Downloads
An Android and iOS was released for beta. Users can download through the Google Store or Testflight. At its peak, the Android release reached over +50k downloads.
Screenshot of the Google Play Store.
Android Reaches +50k Downloads
An Android and iOS was released for beta. Users can download through the Google Store or Testflight. At its peak, the Android release reached over +50k downloads.
Screenshot of the Google Play Store.
Android Reaches +50k Downloads
An Android and iOS was released for beta. Users can download through the Google Store or Testflight. At its peak, the Android release reached over +50k downloads.
Screenshot of the Google Play Store.
Putting it Together
Putting it Together
Press
Mapping with Niantic Wayfarer | Lightship Summit 2022
