Woodland Park Zoo

The Woodland Park Zoo’s current iOS application is confusing to users. It is hard to navigate and has many broken links. Our team was tasked with redesigning the current iOS application.

UX & Interaction Design

Winter 2019 - 10 days

Collaboration with Whitney Shieh & Linda Varanco

The woodland park zoo is large and can be hard to navigate without a map. The current application offers a map with navigation feature but is full of broken links and is confusing for the user. We focused on way-finding as the one of the main functions of the application.

 Process

Research Methods

We conducted research methods to understand our user and the pain points with the current application.

Persona

Our User

Parents

• Age 22-50

• Has multiple children

• Brings family to zoo for fun and educational activities

• Didn’t know there was a mobile application

• Map is confusing

• It is not easy to find restrooms, dining, etc.

• To be able to locate and be directed to exhibits

• Clear and easy map

• Fun facts for children (education and involvement)

Competitive Analysis

• Compared the Denver Zoo, Universal Studios, and the San Diego Zoo

• All applications opens to a map for the landing page, except Woodland Park Zoo

• Main focus is on way-finding; to exhibits, restrooms, dining and shows

Problem and Solution

Based on the research we discovered there was a problem for the users of the Woodland Park Zoo Application and that we could design a solution

The current Woodland Park Zoo Application is used as a way-finding application and is currently confusing and full of broken links resulting in frustrating the user and requiring the user to spend more time trying to figure out the application instead of enjoying the zoo.

If we design an application that is simple and easy to use the user will be able to use the way-finding feature with ease and be able to spend more time enjoying the zoo and less time trying to figure out the application.

Site Map 

We created a site map for the new iOS application. Due to time we focused on the map and navigation feature.

Skecthes

Made sketches and a paper prototype to test with users.

• Users liked having larger buttons on the landing page to be able to navigate the application.

• Initially included an interactive game feature but due to time constraints we decided it was best to focus on the map and navigation feature.

Wireframes

Created wireframes to test with users

• Created a few dead ends once the user selected a destination and wanted directions

• Users didn’t realize the map was clickable on the home screen

Iteration

Continued work on the app after the initial time frame of the project to add the visual components.

• Created a colorful and illustrative design to appeal to children and encourage engagement

• Removed camera and map button from home screen and made them smaller to give priority to the map interaction

• Created a more accurate map with animals and color coded areas within the zoo

Deliverable

Prototype

Created modals for each icon to be able to take the user to the exhibit or to learn more.

task Analysis

Three users were asked to complete three tasks. We measured the amount of actions and time it took to complete each task; both before and after the redesign.

All three users accomplished the tasks with substantially fewer actions and time after the redesign. Allowing for a better user interaction.

Did We Solve the Problem?

Based on our task analysis we brought down the number of clicks and the number of seconds to complete the task, thus solving our initial problem

Problem

The current Woodland Park Zoo Application is used as a way-finding application and is currently confusing and full of broken links resulting in frustrating the user and requiring the user to spend more time trying to figure out the application instead of enjoying the zoo.

If we design an application that is simple and easy to use the user will be able to use the way-finding feature with ease and be able to spend more time enjoying the zoo and less time trying to figure out the application.

Looking Forward

Next Steps

• Incorporate an event/showtime day scheduling feature

• Add an interactive game feature to get the children more involved

• Add a digital/season pass scan feature

Takeaways

What I Learned

• Time management - We spent too much time on research and didn’t have enough time for designing screens.

• How to work with others and manage different personalities and working styles

• Know when to step in and help team members when they are struggling

• How to manage conflict within a team