Subgroup Results

The two ideas produced during the exercise differed in that one focused on the interface while the other one focused on the content.

The interface-group created simple sketches of windows displaying various categories a tourist would be interested to explore, like hotels, restaurants and attractions. Beneath each category, sub categories are displayed and at the end of each such tree, we decided to show a map and directions from the location of the tourist to the destination chosen through the browser. The implicit idea was to create a simple system, a wizard guide, for tourists to seamlessly discover an activity in a foreign city.



The content-group wanted the following:

• Big touch screens (about 40 inch) set up around the city that complement the tourist guide app. It displays all contents from the app so that a group of tourists can plan their activities together, and can also be used by tourists without a smart phone.
• Camera-functionality to scan objects and present information about them in the application.
• Pre-downloaded content on the application, that can be made at WiFi-connected locations.
• Face recognition at museums and public transportation for automatic payment.
• Offline GPS for a map and directions to chosen destinations.
• Phone vibration as a sign for an approaching exit from ferry, bus or train.
• A universal account to which visits to different locations and events are saved, and based on these, the user is presented with recommendations for related activities.
• Save information in a system that can share data between the big screens and personal smart phones.
• Leave messages on the big screen for other members of a group that have not reached that location.
 

For our summed idea we just added all features from the different groups into one package. This was possible because we basically focused on different aspects of the design. At this junction we had already gone through several cycles of prototyping. The brainstorming session had already given us an approximate idea, and the ensuing sub group discussion furthered the depth of our design. It also became clear why a conceptual design is necessary - using pen and paper is both cheap and gives a better picture of where the project is going.