Project Overview
Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool, but it lacks certain features that could enhance user experience for Vegetarians, Vegans, Travelers, and Specially abled people. I have designed solutions to address these gaps, including dedicated filters for vegetarian and vegan options, a built-in currency converter for travelers, and accessibility filters for the specially abled individuals.
The Challenges
Google Maps lacks dedicated filters for non-vegetarian, vegetarian, and vegan dining options, making it difficult for users to find suitable restaurants without relying on reviews or external sources.
Tourists and newcomers often struggle with price conversions, requiring app switching or manual calculations, which disrupts their experience and slows decision-making.
Specially abled individuals struggle to find accessible restaurants because Google Maps lacks prominent accessibility filters for features like wheelchair access, braille menus, and sign language support.
User Needs
Business Goals
Initial Wireframes
I identified usability gaps in Google Maps' restaurant search, focusing on dietary filters, currency conversion, and accessibility enhancements. I mapped the user flow for dietary filters, refining search and filtering steps to guide usability improvements for testing and prototyping.
Final Designs
Problem 1: Hard To Find Dietary Preferences
Explorations:
Exploration 1
Exploration 1 uses a toggle to switch between Non-Veg and Veg, revealing a Vegan radio button when set to Veg.
Pros: The toggle aligns with users' memory models and is easy to operate.
Cons: The Vegan option is hidden until Veg is selected, requiring two steps and increasing cognitive load.
Exploration 2
Exploration 2 uses a dropdown for dietary preferences, displaying Non-Veg, Veg, and Vegan options. Users select their preference and click Apply to confirm.
Pros: All choices are visible upfront.
Cons: Requires three steps, increasing cognitive load.
Exploration 3
Exploration 3 uses tabs to switch between dietary preferences.
Pros: All options are clearly visible, making selection straightforward, requiring only one step, and reducing cognitive load.
Optimal Solution:
Exploration 3
I chose a tab-based design for its simplicity and efficiency. By presenting all dietary options upfront, users can switch preferences in one step, reducing cognitive load, improving discoverability, and enabling seamless filtering. My vegetarian friends' struggles to find suitable restaurants highlighted the need for a more intuitive and accessible solution.
Problem 2: Enhancing
Accessibility Features
I designed clear accessibility options in the filter section with distinct icons for easy recognition. An inquiry icon provides feature explanations, helping users with disabilities quickly identify restaurants offering accommodations like wheelchair access, braille menus, and allergy-friendly options—creating more inclusive dining experiences.
Problem 3: Currency
Conversion Challenges
As a newcomer to the U.S., I faced challenges with currency conversion that complicated decision-making. To help travelers and newcomers, I designed an inbuilt currency converter integrated with the price range section, enabling users to effortlessly convert prices into their preferred currency, enhancing efficiency, reducing cognitive load, and strengthening decision-making.
Final Prototype
Outcomes
I identified usability gaps in Google Maps' restaurant search, focusing on dietary filters, currency conversion, and accessibility enhancements. I mapped the user flow for dietary filters, refining search and filtering steps to guide usability improvements for testing and prototyping.
My Learnings
Learned to create innovative designs while operating within a mature design system, encouraging creative thinking within set constraints.
Used iteration to explore multiple solutions and identify the optimal approach.
Gained a deeper understanding of how inclusion drives business growth by broadening market reach and cultivating customer loyalty.
Investigated how platforms like Google Maps generate revenue through local ads and APIs, providing insights into business customer acquisition and digital tool monetization.
