You Are Here

Abstract: In this degree project it is discussed how to design an alpine navigation device for experienced to expert users to reduce cognitive load of orienting, locating, and navigating. You Are Here explores the state of navigating in alpine environments with digital and analog devices through user-centric research. Listening to professionals and journey mapping device interactions reveals the need for a device embedded with redundancies and mapped to established navigation skills. The resulting product merges the safety of emergency rescue with a personal locator beacon, the reliability of an analog compass and the familiarity of digital global positioning over a traditional map. The project explores potential forms, focusing on the ideal dimension of interaction surfaces for harsh environments, and suggests a general user flow in a rudimentary user interface.