ROLEUX Designer
User Researcher
Accessibility Design
Interaction Design
Suin Kim
Dahae Pyun
OVERVIEWUnderstanding the Challenge of Event Navigation
Navigating large, crowded events like festivals, concerts, and sports arenas presents significant challenges, particularly for individuals with visual impairments, sensory sensitivities, or mobility limitations. Traditional GPS-based solutions often fail due to poor accuracy in dense environments, reliance on visual interfaces, and the need for constant phone interaction, which can diminish the user experience.
WayA was conceptualized as a non-visual navigation system that utilizes sound and haptic feedback to help users find essential locations and stay connected with friends. The goal was to create an inclusive, intuitive, and distraction-free experience tailored to real-time event settings.
PROBLEMHow Might We?
How might we make navigation in crowded environments more intuitive and accessible, reducing reliance on visual cues while enhancing safety and ease of locating essential facilities and friends?
USER RESEARCH
Observing Real Users & Identifying Pain Points
We conducted contextual inquiries, interviews, and field observations at music festivals and sports events, shadowing participants as they attempted to navigate the space. The research uncovered:
Personas and User Needs
To better understand our audience, we created personas based on user behaviors and frustrations identified in our research:
CHALLENGE
Addressing Limitations of Traditional Navigation
User research revealed several key issues with existing event navigation tools:
DESIGN SOLUTION Sound & Haptic Navigation
Instead of relying on maps, WayA uses directional sound cues and haptic vibrations to guide users toward their destination—whether it’s a friend, a restroom, or an exit.
Customizable Tracking Modes
- Friend Locator:
Find a specific person in the crowd with proximity-based alerts.
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Essential Facilities Finder:
Navigate to restrooms, exits, and water stations using non-intrusive guidance. -
Solo Mode for Safety:
Discreet tracking allows close contacts to monitor a user’s location in case of emergencies.
Minimal Screen Interaction
A one-tap interface simplifies interactions, ensuring ease of use even in stressful situations.
PROTOTYPE & USABILITY TESTING
Testing Criteria and Findings
We built an interactive prototype and conducted user testing at a local football game. Feedback revealed:
IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES & DESIGN TRADEOFFS
Balancing Simplicity with Customization
Creating an intuitive experience while offering flexibility was a key challenge. Users wanted a minimalist interface for quick navigation but also the ability to customize feedback strength, notification frequency, and interaction style. To meet both needs, we introduced default navigation presets while keeping advanced settings available for customization.
Ensuring Offline Accessibility
Reliable functionality in low-connectivity areas was another obstacle. Since real-time tracking requires network access, we implemented preloaded event maps and key locations for offline use. Bluetooth-based local navigation also supplemented GPS in disconnected areas, ensuring WayA remained effective at festivals, stadiums, and other high-traffic environments.
IMPACT AND NEXT STEPS
Expanding WayA’s Capabilities
WayA rethinks navigation for crowded spaces, prioritizing accessibility and intuitive wayfinding. Next steps include:
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Refining haptic feedback intensity for different environments.
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Exploring integration with smart wearables for seamless guidance.
- Expanding testing in diverse event settings (sports stadiums, amusement parks).
CONCLUSION
Retrospective
WayA highlights the importance of multisensory interaction design in improving spatial awareness and accessibility. By shifting away from purely visual navigation, we create a more inclusive, efficient, and stress-free wayfinding experience.