FinalProject – ElizaB

Take A Hike: A Demo

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

This demo was created using Adobe XD.

Visuals

[yotuwp type=”videos” id=”WVowhKMNsM8″ ]

Link to Prototype

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 encorporate 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 when we are scrolling through social media. That’s where I discovered this idea of trying to couple technology with a motivating/positive atmosphere. Using this app, people are able to interact with each other in a positive way. My goal is to reflect the atmosphere that people feel when they are outside and enjoying nature online. There is so much negative impact that social media can produce in our modern age that I want to focus on what good it could have the potential to be. By building an online community where hikers/runners/adventurers can encourage others in finding new trails/running or cycling routes/camp sites… etc. with photos of their own is, I believe, one way social media can be used in a positive atmosphere to create a sense of belonging and positivity.

The specific audience that I’m trying to target is essentially any individuals who enjoy the outdoors, whether its going outside for a walk, a hike, a run, etc.

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 in the equation, the interaction and the experience of a single human connection is instantly and almost always a positive experience. 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?

Thank you to Professor Joline Blais for her feedback through the revision process.

Simple Budget for the continuing cost to bring this app into full production: $25,000-30,000