INTERNSHIP AT
ROLE
App design
Visual design
TIME
Aug 2019
An app that enhances daily commute with an immersive music experience!
or scroll down to see the full project journey.
Project background
This project was completed individually with mentorship during my 3-week internship at GK Sekkei, an environmental design agency in Tokyo.
The assignment focused on Takadanobaba Station (高田馬場駅), the closest station to GK Sekkei’s office. Over 10,000 people commute through this busy station daily. The goal was to propose a design for the area surrounding Takadanobaba Station that would enhance the daily commuting experience, making it more enjoyable and comfortable.
Takadanobaba station in Tokyo
Discover
Observation around the station
To understand the context, I observed and documented the area around Takadanobaba Station, focusing on the environment, specific objects, and people’s behavior. One finding was that the atmosphere within the same area could vary greatly. Just one street apart, the riverside was quiet, while the shop-lined streets were much busier and noisier. People often seem tired as they sleep on the train during their morning commute. Once they arrive at the station, they put on earphones while walking to the office.
Interview target users' commute route
After observing the area, I interviewed 5 of our staff who commuted from Takodanobaba Station to learn about the routes people take to work. Each person had unique reasons and feelings for their chosen path. Some preferred walking along the riverside, finding relaxation in the sound of flowing water, while others opted for the shortest, quietest route to help them transition into a focused work mode.
Personas
Based on field research and interviews, two personas were created to represent the target users of the design.
Define
From both observations and interviews, it is discovered that the choice of different routes reflects different motivations and needs. I have also discovered that sound plays a crucial role during people’s commute. Environmental sounds, such as traffic noise or the soothing sound of a river, can impact people’s emotions. Additionally, many people wear earphones while walking, allowing music to accompany them. These sounds can influence and set the mood for their work.
The app combines music with the scenery along your walk to create the perfect mood for starting your workday.
Develop
After defining the app experience for target users, I brainstormed ideas, facilitated discussions with the team, and created a low-fidelity prototype to test the app’s flow.
Deliver
Set up home and work address
Opening the app, the user has to first set their home address and work address.
Compose your own walking music
Turn walking into a music composing game that blends the virtual and real world. Objects in the real world represent different instruments—for example, crosswalks are pianos, and vending machines are drums. As users walk, they collect the sounds of these instruments by passing by real-world objects on the street.
Choose a mood for today
After selecting their desired mood, the app recommends a playlist and suggests a route that matches the vibe. Audio cues with varying volume levels in each earphone guide the commuter’s direction.
Past walking statistics
Task flow
