Yellow Stone National Park
Designed a NPS app with a new community feature to educate users while guiding them to use their photography skills to help document endangered species in the park.
Final Solution Preview
Project Background
This project was completed during my UX Design and Prototyping class, focusing on creating an ethical and immersive travel experience that promotes conservation and responsible tourism.
Our case study focuses on Yellowstone National Park, selected for its unique characteristics and challenges. Yellowstone National Park has a diverse ecosystem and culture. The economic impact of Yellowstone is substantial, with approximately 4.9 million visitors annually contributing $834 million to the local economy and supporting 8,736 jobs.
Research
Research 1 - Identify existing problems at Yellowstone
Wildlife Disturbance
Human interactions often disturb wildlife, affecting their natural behaviors and habitats. This can lead to dangerous encounters between animals and humans and negatively impact the ecosystem.
Education and Awareness
Many visitors lack awareness of how to responsibly enjoy the park, leading to behaviors that can harm the environment and wildlife. There is a need for better educational programs to promote responsible tourism.
Visitor Safety
The park sees millions of visitors each year, leading to safety concerns. Many visitors are unaware of the dangers posed by wildlife, geothermal features, and the rugged terrain, resulting in accidents and injuries.
Research 2 - Understanding users' behaviors through user survey
We conducted a user survey to gain insights into the behaviors of potential users when visiting natural areas or national parks and to gauge their interest in participating in various conservation activities.
The survey sampled 14 individuals residing in the U.S., aged 18-34.
If you were planning a visit to a natural area or national park, would you use an app focused on conservation and sustainable tourism?
What types of pictures do you take while traveling to wildlife destinations?
The Problem
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park often engage in unsafe and disruptive behaviors. These actions result in injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage, threatening the park's ecosystem. Because existing warnings and educational materials are insufficient, many tourists lack awareness of responsible tourism practices. This situation poses safety risks and ecological harm, indicating a need for improved education and engagement strategies.
How might we…
Enhance safety, respect for wildlife, and responsible behaviors among visitors in Yellowstone to create a positive impact inside the park.
Prototype
Concept
A NEW TWIST TO THE NPS APP
A new community feature to educate users while guiding them to use their photography skills to help document endangered species in the park
Wireframe
Visual Identity
Design Solution
Home Page News Feed:
Educational Resources: Visitors can browse up-to-date news, including valuable information and educational content posted by park rangers.
Community Finds: Tourists can share their own posts and observations, contributing to a community-driven platform that highlights important points of interest and potential hazards.
AR/AI Animal Detection Camera:
Interactive Learning: Users can take photos of animals at Yellowstone using the app's unique AR/AI camera feature to learn more about the species and their habitats.
Community Engagement: Encourage users to apply their photography skills by posting their images and insights, fostering a sense of connection and shared discovery among park visitors.
Research by Map:
Location-Based Exploration: Users can view posts from others based on the location of their images, helping them explore the park and create an immersive, interactive experience.
Enhanced Discovery: This feature encourages exploration and learning, guiding users to new locations and points of interest within the park.
Potential Impact
Wildlife Conservation:
By providing real-time information and educational resources, NatureLens aims to reduce human impact on wildlife, contributing to conservation efforts in Yellowstone.
Visitor Engagement:
The app's engaging features, such as AR/AI detection and gamification, encourage tourists to become active participants in their own educational journeys, deepening their connection to the park.
Safety and Awareness:
With up-to-date news feeds and community posts, NatureLens enhances visitor safety by keeping them informed about park conditions and wildlife behavior.
Future Plans
The U.S. has 439 national park sites, and this app has the potential to be used in any of them to foster a sense of community among national park enthusiasts.
Personalized Experience for returning users: Allow users to save their favorite parks, track visited sites, and plan their next trip
Loyalty Program: Users can earn points and badges for visiting parks, attending events, and using the app, which can be redeemed for rewards or discounts
Interactive Gamified Challenges: Develop challenges or scavenger hunts that motivate users to explore multiple parks over time, earning digital badges or rewards
Reflection
Takeaways:
One of the core principles of NatureLens is sustainability. Throughout this project, I learned that sustainable design goes beyond simply addressing the needs of users; it encompasses creating solutions that consider the long-term effects on wildlife, communities, and local economies. Initially, our research focused on understanding the needs and behaviors of potential users, such as tourists, park rangers, and conservation enthusiasts, to create a solution that aligns with conservation goals.
However, as we delved deeper into the design process, we realized that focusing solely on user needs wasn't enough. We needed to also consider the impact on Yellowstone's revenue and local businesses to truly create a sustainable solution. This research highlighted the importance of creating a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. This shift taught me that sustainability in design requires a holistic approach, considering environmental, social, and economic factors.