REDEFINING AIRPORT EXPERIENCES FOR PARENTS AND KIDS
Designing a better experience from curb to gate at the airport for a leisure traveler with children
OVERVIEW
Revolutionizing the family travel experience, our project addresses the challenges faced by parents navigating airports with two children.
Introducing a user-centric system, including a helpful Robot for gate finding and information, a built-in luggage compartment for convenience, and an emphasis on accessibility and enjoyment, we aim to transform the stressful journey into a smooth and satisfying adventure for all. Embrace a hassle-free travel experience tailored for parents, ensuring guidance, assistance, and entertainment at every step.
MY ROLE
User research, project management, user interface design, design system, prototyping
THE TEAM
A team of five designers
DURATION
15 weeks
TOOLS USED
Figma, Illustrator, Mural, Lucidspark
PROBLEM
Navigating airports with two children poses challenges such as gate confusion and luggage management, adding stress to parents' journeys.
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Navimate caters to the needs of every traveler, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the experience for single parents with two children going on leisure trips.
These travelers face challenges due to a shortage of entertainment options for their kids and the additional burden of managing extra gears and luggage while navigating through the airport.
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We were assigned to implement this system at Boston Logan International Airport owned by Massport. We did not work with them directly and this was for academic research purposes only.
By enhancing efficiency and convenience, our solution has the potential to position Massport airports as leaders in the industry, outshining competitors and establishing a new standard of excellence in travel services. Embrace a future where hassle-free travel is not just a luxury but a norm, providing guidance, assistance, and entertainment at every step for parents on the go.
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With Navimate, we hope to advance the development and adoption of navigation robots in airports across the world that can make the curb-to-gate experience significantly easier, more accessible, and more enjoyable, both for parents traveling with children and any other travelers needing assistance.
💡 SOLUTION
A user-friendly Robot for gate assistance, along with an integrated luggage compartment, emphasizing accessibility to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for parents with two children.
RESEARCH
USER INTERVIEW KEY FINDINGS
We interviewed 9 users based in the east coast and shared their challenges during their travels with kids.
Significant Pain Points
Solo handling of luggage
Navigating long lines at security checkpoints
Struggling to entertain children while managing luggage
Finding family-friendly seating, especially during crowded times
Navigating the airport, especially if the parent is not familiar with it
Insights and Conclusion
Need for solutions to alleviate multitasking burden
Parents envisioned an airport experience where they could effortlessly navigate the airport, find suitable seating, and entertain their kids without external pressures
The insights gathered underscore the importance of addressing these pain points to create a more enjoyable and stress-free journey for parents traveling with children
USER PERSONA
Based on the insights gained from the user interviews and the research conducted on the topic, I developed a persona that accurately represents the characteristics and needs of my intended user demographic.
DESIGN
IDEA INVENTORY
After thorough research and collaborative brainstorming, our team explored various concepts to enhance the airport experience.
After going through several rounds of ideation and refinement, we narrowed our concepts down to three promising solutions that addressed key pain points in the airport experience. We further developed these to land on a final concept - the Robot Guide/Carrier. This solution aims to provide travelers efficiency, convenience, and even entertainment as they navigate the airport.
The Robot Guide/Carrier came out of extensive research into travelers' needs and goals. We believe it represents an innovative way to significantly improve airport navigation and transform the airport experience, especially by emphasizing accessibility. Through conceptualizing and evaluating multiple possibilities, we arrived at what we feel is a best-in-class solution for travelers.
STYLE GUIDE
I created a style guide that seamlessly blends hues of blues with inviting warm tones like yellow, creating a friendly ambiance.
The guide encompasses carefully chosen typography, expressive iconography, and intuitive button designs, ensuring a visually cohesive and user-friendly interface for Navimate.
HIGH-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
REFLECTION
Working together on a creative project, our team faced many challenges to create a unified design.
We used feedback as our guide, helping us to refine and improve our work. The process was all about trying new things, learning from our mistakes, and gradually getting closer to our shared goal. Even our disagreements were useful, sparking lively discussions that helped to shape our final designs.
As the project progressed, we saw the real value of teamwork, the determination of our team, and our ability to adapt to new situations. As the team leader, it was incredibly rewarding to see us move from initial disagreements to a final product we could all be proud of.