Project Description
This project was to challenge solving mobility issues around LA. We were put into groups and mine chose to visit Echo Park. After a visit to Echo Park there were some core issues we noticed that confuse people around Echo Park. We came up with Echo Park Embark to combat those issues.
Team
Isabel Bautista, Arthur Jensen, Lois Kim, Sammy Schreier
Isabel Bautista, Arthur Jensen, Lois Kim, Sammy Schreier
Project Concept
Mobile App
Mobile App
Description
Echo Park Embark is a mobile app to help budget concise people new to Echo Park look for things to do around Echo Park. The goal is to not only navigate newcomers promotes the local businesses that have been overlooked for years.
Echo Park Embark is a mobile app to help budget concise people new to Echo Park look for things to do around Echo Park. The goal is to not only navigate newcomers promotes the local businesses that have been overlooked for years.
My Role
Concept Ideation, Content Research, Prototype Design, Previous Branding Direction
Concept Ideation, Content Research, Prototype Design, Previous Branding Direction
Video: Isabel Bautista
Problem
Echo Park for many people is a shelter from the hectic concrete jungle that is of the rest of L.A. Being one of the few places in the city that offer a greenspace, many people head there to enjoy the nature and trendy shops around the park. However, not many people want to visit Echo Park because the whole experience is overwhelming. Traffic and poor infrastructure cause long and tedious travel to get there. If someone plans to visit from outside of Echo Park, they have to plan the whole day to get some worth out of visiting. There are not many tools to help planning a day there besides Google Maps. Talking with parents with younger children, they like to research places they like to visit before fitting it in their day and planning to get there. We noticed however, that having limited knowledge and scattered sources of information, it is hard to find the hidden gems around Echo Park.
Insight
From our research we discovered that rent in Echo Park has increased by 400%. Higher end businesses showing up at Echo not only cater to a wealthier demographic than the average local but also raises the rent for nearby businesses. That's why businesses that have been there for years are looking for different places to go to as their home has become too unaffordable.
Through our interviews we found that traveling to and within L.A. is also very difficult. The main mode of transportation is through car. About 74.1% of people in L.A. use their cars to travel anywhere while only 7.7% use mass transit. Commuting through transit takes up a significant chunk of time as it is less reliable than driving with a car.
Through our interviews we found that traveling to and within L.A. is also very difficult. The main mode of transportation is through car. About 74.1% of people in L.A. use their cars to travel anywhere while only 7.7% use mass transit. Commuting through transit takes up a significant chunk of time as it is less reliable than driving with a car.
When talking with parents about how they plan a trip for their families, we uncovered that a lot of research comes beforehand. Looking at prices, directions, or even accommodations for their children. Without knowing what to look for when doing research, it is easy to miss out all the fun and affordable places of Echo Park.
Solution
Our solution was an itinerary builder to Echo Park. Although the biggest issues of Echo Park is its infrastructure and gentrification, it is a bigger issue than student designers can solve. Working around that, having an all-in-one resource that recommends the hidden gems around Echo Park makes the experience much smoother.
Research
The first step was to look into the different kind of people affected by the issues stemming from Echo Park. From our findings, we found out that Echo Park is a great resource for greenspace as not many parks are available to low-income communities. Echo Park has been a low-income community until the rampant gentrification. The gentrification has driven out many businesses that have been there for years, but also overshadows them by appealing to a majorly white demographic. Now the population has shifted to 12.9% non-Hispanic white residents in the year 2000 to 30.25% in 2020. In a small place with many businesses spread out, it is difficult to find the hidden and affordable places.
To me, finding out about the Oaxacan Quesadilla cart that had been there for 16 years was a nicer find than the pricey shops around the cart.
To me, finding out about the Oaxacan Quesadilla cart that had been there for 16 years was a nicer find than the pricey shops around the cart.
User Persona
Based on our research we made a user persona that we would center the project around.
This is Julia.
This is Julia.
She is a single mom of two who has a difficult time finding fun things to do with her kids away from home. She relies on public transportation which limits her time on where they can go together. Despite this she wants to take her kids out and have a good time without worrying about the amount of money she spends.
"It took me about three hours to get to Echo Park. The park is beautiful and people-friendly but I wish I can find the fun and affordable places to go to."
User Persona: Isabel Bautista, Arthur Jensen, Sammy Schreier
Sketches
Early on in the project, the navigation feature was the main part of project that went hand-in-hand with the itineraries. Later on we found it difficult to continue this direction. But initially we had it planned that you can set up an itinerary, save a destination, and have an audio and visual guide to your destination. It was mainly to support people who rely on public transportation that need efficient resources to get to their destination but within Echo Park.
Sketches of onboarding flow
Sketches of navigation flow
Sketches of the itinerary flow
Sketches of overview of flow to get to navigation feature
Sketches Concept: Team
Sketches: Arthur Jensen
Prototype
For the itineraries, we focused on local specialties and hidden gems of Echo Park. You would have been able to filter to event age ratings or dietary restrictions.
For the navigation feature, we tried catering to the people who rely on public transportation. Since most buses and trains do are not a one-way stop to a destination, many people have multiple transfers to then get another bus or train to their destination. Our app would assist them through their transfers assuming they are coming away from Echo Park.
In this stage we uncovered a need for more details in the itinerary page. People feel more comfortable having information to look into especially when they have restrictions such as mobility and dietary restrictions. For the navigation feature, we thought to add historical facts or facts about the destination they are heading to immerse our visitors into Echo Park.
For the navigation feature, we tried catering to the people who rely on public transportation. Since most buses and trains do are not a one-way stop to a destination, many people have multiple transfers to then get another bus or train to their destination. Our app would assist them through their transfers assuming they are coming away from Echo Park.
In this stage we uncovered a need for more details in the itinerary page. People feel more comfortable having information to look into especially when they have restrictions such as mobility and dietary restrictions. For the navigation feature, we thought to add historical facts or facts about the destination they are heading to immerse our visitors into Echo Park.
Home screen prototype
Save to itinerary Screen
Successfully saved to itinerary screen
Filter prototype
Filter options prototype
Choose an itinerary to navigate to screen
Choose mode of transportation screen
Heading to destination screen
Next transfer screen
Arrival screen
Card Design: Team
Filter and Save Design, Prototyping: Sammy Schreier
Map Design and Prototype: Isabel Bautista, Lois Kim
Mid Fidelity
By this point we focused less on the filters because users on their own can find details of a location. The itineraries now would work as a all-in-one resource for the users' next trip. Navigation would also walk them step by step to knock out all their destinations.
You can check out the full prototype below.
Through this process, we ruled our priorities for the rest of the project. What was brought to up multiple times during user testing was the need to navigate through the app as they can just use Google Maps. For that reason we decided to redirect the project and cut the feature entirely. Our focus was redirected to bridging the gap of local residents to visitors. Highlighting the affordable and long-time businesses at Echo Park can give them more business and invite more people to travel there. Also taking from feedback, we learned our itineraries should not be restrictive as realistically people will enjoy the space with an unspecified amount of time then head to whichever destination they would like to hit next. From this our itineraries act as a resource to inform of the businesses to visit, similar businesses nearby, and redirect to Google Maps with their stops shown.
You can check out the full prototype below.
Through this process, we ruled our priorities for the rest of the project. What was brought to up multiple times during user testing was the need to navigate through the app as they can just use Google Maps. For that reason we decided to redirect the project and cut the feature entirely. Our focus was redirected to bridging the gap of local residents to visitors. Highlighting the affordable and long-time businesses at Echo Park can give them more business and invite more people to travel there. Also taking from feedback, we learned our itineraries should not be restrictive as realistically people will enjoy the space with an unspecified amount of time then head to whichever destination they would like to hit next. From this our itineraries act as a resource to inform of the businesses to visit, similar businesses nearby, and redirect to Google Maps with their stops shown.
Branding: Arthur Jensen, Sammy Schreier
Navigation: Isabel Bautista
Itineraries and Onboarding: Lois Kim
Previous Branding
Before the redirection of the project, I was tasked to to create a logo concept that combines Echo Park and navigation. Focusing on Navigation and recognizable Echo Park qualities such as the fountain or swan boats, I based the logos off that and the word echo itself. I also looked at potential mascots that could be used alongside the navigation feature as a recognizable face that will be assisting the traveler to their destination. These were ultimately cut when we pivoted directions away from navigation.
Logo and Mascot Design: Sammy Schreier
Results
Our final results are the mobile app "Echo Park Embark". A app that assists with planning a day at Echo Park while showing hidden gems, local specialties, and affordable fun.
Itinerary
After the onboarding process, the user is able to set preferences to what they are looking for at Echo Park. Once they are all set a sample itinerary is made for them to get started. From here they can build out other itineraries however they like.
Explore
The user is able to uncover the local businesses and events of Echo Park through an organized Explore Page. They are able to learn more about a service by detailing into a card. Here they can find offered deals, business hours, and popular menu items. Once they are interested in visiting the place, they are able to add it to their itinerary through the add button.
Map
The map view lets users see the proximity of businesses to each other. They can compare prices and see which routes they are able to take to get from location to location.
Reflection
This project was very enjoyable to work on, especially in terms of the scale of the problem. Many issues were intertwined, and 'mobility' was not a singular problem to solve. This realization influenced the project as we became invested in opening more doors to Echo Park and its residents. For future developments, there could be an attempt to bring back navigation and audio elements from Navi and incorporate them into the finalized product. Additionally, expanding to more overlooked cities in L.A. would be a bigger goal. While this project was centered around Echo Park, it could apply to many other communities, benefiting local businesses.