flye
We partnered with the Savannah, GA app development company STQRY (formerly known as Tour Buddy Apps) on their emerging project, Flye. Our goal was to create an interactive and educational scavenger hunt app for children and families.
Role:
UX & Visual Design Lead
Responsibilities:
High fidelity mock-ups
Paper & digital prototyping
User research
Date:
2017
Preview
the challenge
Design a mobile scavenger hunt application that provides an engaging and educational experience
Help facilitate an experience that's appealing to both children and families
Utilize appropriate and effective gamification principles in order to prolong the life of the product
Design a mobile scavenger hunt application that provides an engaging and educational experience
Help facilitate an experience that's appealing to both children and families
Utilize appropriate and effective gamification principles in order to prolong the life of the product
The team
Carly reagan
User Experience Design
Visual Design
Project management
chanel van eeden
User Research
Video Production
Katie loomis
Interaction Design
Information Architecture
brian yeo
Interaction Design
Animation & Motion Design
Research
We utilized a variety of research methods including competitive analysis, interviews and ethnographic coding in order to further understand the product's demographic and discover what was going to make a product like Flye not only stand out, but last.
The competitive analysis revealed to us what was successful about search-and-discover applications like Pokemon Go, Scavify and Foursquare – as well as what caused some of these products to lessen in popularity over time.
They weren't introducing new features or content often enough
Some were restricted to specific audiences — presenting an opportunity for Flye to be more inclusive
We were able to draw some inspiration from the apps' creative and effective UI elements
We utilized a variety of research methods including competitive analysis, interviews and ethnographic coding in order to further understand the product's demographic and discover what was going to make a product like Flye not only stand out, but last.
The competitive analysis revealed to us what was successful about search-and-discover applications like Pokemon Go, Scavify and Foursquare – as well as what caused some of these products to lessen in popularity over time.
They weren't introducing new features or content often enough
Some were restricted to specific audiences — presenting an opportunity for Flye to be more inclusive
We were able to draw some inspiration from the apps' creative and effective UI elements
Savannah Belle Tours
We spoke with Michelle Freenor of Savannah Belle Tours – a very popular tour service in Savannah, GA – in order to get an idea of why people visit the city.
What are the most popular topics or attractions? Why?
Most common age group?
We spoke with Michelle Freenor of Savannah Belle Tours – a very popular tour service in Savannah, GA – in order to get an idea of why people visit the city.
What are the most popular topics or attractions? Why?
Most common age group?
Families in savannah
We visited a popular local park over a weekend to speak with visiting families in order to discover what they find value in when it comes to activities with their children.
What would encourage you to engage in an app like Flye with your family?
We visited a popular local park over a weekend to speak with visiting families in order to discover what they find value in when it comes to activities with their children.
What would encourage you to engage in an app like Flye with your family?
Senior Game Designers
We spoke with senior game designers at SCAD to learn more about gamification and level design.
What does effective game design look like?
What keeps players returning to a game?
We spoke with senior game designers at SCAD to learn more about gamification and level design.
What does effective game design look like?
What keeps players returning to a game?
insights
According to Michelle, most visitors enjoy trivia and games because they allow them to feel more involved
Information resonates with them more when they're able to participate
Popular topics include history, pop culture and food
Most parents in Forsyth agreed that education is a must
They don't want a game or app distracting their child from family time or the location they're visiting
Motivation to use the app would include engagement with the town's history as well as influencing kids to stay active and be outside
Real-world incentives could include coupons, snacks and toys
According to game designers, player choice is crucial
Players want to feel special; personalization and customization can be important
There must be an equilibrium between small, instant gratification rewards and larger, long-term rewards
According to Michelle, most visitors enjoy trivia and games because they allow them to feel more involved
Information resonates with them more when they're able to participate
Popular topics include history, pop culture and food
Most parents in Forsyth agreed that education is a must
They don't want a game or app distracting their child from family time or the location they're visiting
Motivation to use the app would include engagement with the town's history as well as influencing kids to stay active and be outside
Real-world incentives could include coupons, snacks and toys
According to game designers, player choice is crucial
Players want to feel special; personalization and customization can be important
There must be an equilibrium between small, instant gratification rewards and larger, long-term rewards
paper prototype
Following our research and ideation, I created a paper prototype in order to efficiently test and iterate on our design. This allowed us to establish user journeys and flesh out potential features.
Following our research and ideation, I created a paper prototype in order to efficiently test and iterate on our design. This allowed us to establish user journeys and flesh out potential features.
Explore a city
Explore a city
Flye presents a new opportunity for families to explore and learn more about the city they're visiting.
Flye presents a new opportunity for families to explore and learn more about the city they're visiting.
Flye presents a new opportunity for families to explore and learn more about the city they're visiting.
DISCOVER activities
DISCOVER activities
Using geolocation and localized clues, the app guides players to the nearest scavenger hunts in their area.
Using geolocation and localized clues, the app guides players to the nearest scavenger hunts in their area.
Using geolocation and localized clues, the app guides players to the nearest scavenger hunts in their area.
ENGAGING CHALLENGES AND GAMES
ENGAGING CHALLENGES AND GAMES
Players utilize an augmented reality tool to uncover educational challenges and mini-games, helping them explore and learn more about their surroundings.
Players utilize an augmented reality tool to uncover educational challenges and mini-games, helping them explore and learn more about their surroundings.
Players utilize an augmented reality tool to uncover educational challenges and mini-games, helping them explore and learn more about their surroundings.
level up
level up
Players earn experience points for each challenge and scavenger hunt they complete.
Players earn experience points for each challenge and scavenger hunt they complete.
Players earn experience points for each challenge and scavenger hunt they complete.
earn rewards
earn rewards
After completing a scavenger hunt or leveling up, players are granted in-app and real life prizes.
After completing a scavenger hunt or leveling up, players are granted in-app and real life prizes.
After completing a scavenger hunt or leveling up, players are granted in-app and real life prizes.
customize your avatar
customize your avatar
Players use their earned stickers and rewards to customize their toon and show off their new look.
Players use their earned stickers and rewards to customize their toon and show off their new look.
Players use their earned stickers and rewards to customize their toon and show off their new look.
play with friends
play with friends
Players can challenge their friends, view each other's avatars, or simply see what they've been up to.
Players can challenge their friends, view each other's avatars, or simply see what they've been up to.
Players can challenge their friends, view each other's avatars, or simply see what they've been up to.
impact
At the conclusion of the project, we provided Tour Buddy Apps with a walk-through of our research and the final prototype, and handed off the project for integration into their mobile application.
At the start of the summer, they began gathering a team to implement the new design and features into Flye.
At the conclusion of the project, we provided Tour Buddy Apps with a walk-through of our research and the final prototype, and handed off the project for integration into their mobile application.
At the start of the summer, they began gathering a team to implement the new design and features into Flye.
