Approach 2 – ElizaB

Take a Hike App

A downloadable application with an photo-based online platform for adventure-seekers and hikers to connect with each other.

Background: The main purpose for this project is to create a positive atmosphere that can almost replicate the atmosphere hikers feel towards each other on a mountain. There is almost always a sense of common encouragement and positivity when you have spent two to three hours hiking and immersing yourself in nature with other people in the same environment. This almost simulates the concept of tagging a location when posting a photo, except on this specific platform, I want to gear it towards the hiking community. On the app, there would be a home page displaying popular hikes currently with the most photos posted by individuals, hikes that are currently in unsafe conditions, an animated map of the United States with hikes that have been accomplished by active users of this specific online community, and more. Using the concept of crowdsourcing images, this would be a many-to-many strategy in efforts of building an online community of hikers.

Explanation: There is often a heavy force of anxiety and pressure that is emitted on social media to every one of us. Using this app, people are able to interact with each other in a positive way. There is so much negative impact that social media can produce in our modern age that I want to focus on what good it can be. By building an online community where hikers can encourage others in finding new trails with photos of their own, or by warning others of imminent dangers of a certain hike, this is one way social media can be used in a positive atmosphere to create a sense of belonging and positivity.

Credits: I was mainly inspired by the hiking atmosphere that one can feel when they are interacting with not only nature but other people. It seems like whenever nature is also in the equation, the interaction and the experience of human connection is almost always positive. What if we are able to replicate that online and change the way social media has become a negative force in all of our lives?

Budget: 

Estimated time to design platform and release application – 6-9 Weeks

Estimated costs: $30,000 – $40,000