Unlocked New UX for 80M Travelers, 6% Vegetarians, and 14% Disabled Users
Designed inclusive filters for Google Maps that now serve vegetarians (6%), specially-abled users (14%), and 80M+ cross-border travelers. What started as “edge cases” became a competitive differentiator.
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
User Needs
Business Goals
Initial Wireframes
Grounded in user needs and business goals, I identified key gaps and translated them into initial wireframes, starting with dietary filters.
Solution 1: Simplifying Dietary Filtering
Optimal Solution: Tab-Based Dietary Filter
I chose a tab-based design for its simplicity and efficiency. Presenting all dietary options upfront enables quick switching, reduces cognitive load, and improves discoverability. Insights from users highlighted the need for a more intuitive and accessible solution.
Other Explorations
Exploration 1: Toggle-Based Filter
Exploration 1 uses a toggle to switch between Non-Veg and Veg, which aligns with users’ mental models and is easy to use, but it hides the Vegan option until Veg is selected adding an extra step and increasing cognitive load.
Exploration 2: Dropdown-Based Filter
Exploration 2 uses a dropdown to display all dietary options upfront. While the choices are easy to view, selecting and applying a filter requires extra steps, increasing cognitive load.
Solution 2: Built-In Currency Converter
As a newcomer to the U.S., I struggled with currency conversion while dining out. To simplify this for travelers and newcomers, I integrated a currency converter into the price section, enabling quick conversions, reducing cognitive load, and supporting faster, more confident decisions.
Solution 3: Improving Accessibility Visibility
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.
Final Prototype
Outcomes
I identified users who face these challenges, tested the solutions with them, and closely observed how it addressed their needs and how they felt.
