Challenge overview
One of my 2023 resolutions was to participate in as many hackathons as I could to allow me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I joined the HackHers team with 2 Devs, 1 Unicorn, and 3 Students - We won the Encoway Challenge.
Duration: 48 hours, 05/2023.
My role: UX/UI designer
Question: “A web-based 3D application should provide residents, visitors, and interested parties with an interactive overview of the floors and rooms of the NEOS.”
Responsibilities: Project Management, Wireframing, High-fidelity Prototyping, and Pitch presentation.
Probleme statement
With its research and development labs, co-working spaces, and event areas, NEOS Bremen offers plenty of room for innovation and networking.
The diversity is great, but the size of the building and the flexible layout of the rooms make it difficult to find orientation and keed and up-to-date overview.
New 3D web technologies are now opening up novel forms of presentation that can remedy this problem.
Highlights
Encoway GmbH provided us with a basic 3D model of the NEOS building as our starting point. To improve the model and create an exceptional user experience, my teammates decided to use Blender and then Roblox for their accessibility, and interactive features.
While they were working on implementing the 3D model, I made research on navigation systems and I began crafting paper wireframes to visualize the web application's layout and define the optimal user flow. Transitioning from the initial wireframes, I then used Figma to design the detailed wireframes, focusing directly on hi-fi wireframing due to our time constraints.
To add an immersive touch to our prototype, I integrated the Roblox component within the Figma prototype. Our web application was not fully coded within the 48-hour timeframe, so we created the impression of a real product by telling a compelling story. Our scenario revolved around a user desperately searching for a restroom and utilizing our app to navigate and locate it accurately.
Once the prototyping phase was complete, I dedicated my efforts to generating a 3 minutes pitch presentation. On day two, we refined the final details of our work, ensuring an impactful presentation. A teammate and I delivered the pitch with enthusiasm and professionalism, impressing the judges and ultimately winning the Encoway challenge.
This project shows adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to deliver exceptional results within a tight timeframe that a UX/UI designer should have. I am proud of our collective efforts and the success we achieved. It was an invaluable learning experience that showcased my expertise in UX/UI design, prototyping, and effective presentation skills.
NeosWAY
The neosWAY web app revolutionizes indoor navigation, providing users with seamless guidance within buildings. Just envision the impact it can have in bustling environments like airports or expansive train stations! With neosWAY, users can navigate from point A to point B efficiently, saving valuable time and avoiding the frustration of getting lost or taking wrong turns. Simplifying the process of finding one's way, this innovative app ensures a smooth and hassle-free journey for all.
Link to Hi-Fi prototype
