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AN URBEX
MOBILE APP
Urban Expl orati on has l ong rel i ed upon word-of-mouth, and i n many cases
there i s a cr uci al need for on-the-go tool s for expl orer s to qui ckly and effi -
ci ently document nearby l ocal spots & expl ore the hi stor y of ol d bui l di ngs.
An i nteracti ve, rel i abl e mobi l e app and a uni fi ed brandi ng system coul d be
used to grow the gl obal urban expl orer communi ty & transform web-based
for ums to mobi l e pl atform for easi er accessi bi l i ty
KRISTYNA GOTTVALD.
THE NEED FOR MOBILE INFORMATION
The need for a reliable and functional UI app for urban explorers
is lost for most mobile users. Most databases are restricted to
websites, with information heavy, non-moderated forums and
provide poor, outdated information to users.
Briefly browsing the app store, most users will find a lack in
reliable location data - usually resor ting back to online websites
or word of mouth to find their desired location or in fact, new
places to explore.
By implementing a new platform, users will find streamlined or-
ganization of impor tant location info, ease of use and increased
legibility, while on the go. These UI improvements in quality of
visual design will also help UX, ultimately gaining refferals and
creating growth/trust in the UE global community.
TARGET AUDIENCE/USERS
The hobby is most popular with white males
who make up approximately 85% of explorers.
App users are typically aged 35 and under, therefore,
the target audience for the mobile app is age 17 - 25.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES
Create a responsi ve mobi l e app that effecti vely de-
l i ver s coherent and i mmer si ve content, as wel l as,
a memorabl e, i ntui ti ve user experi ence.
MAIN POINTS OF FOCUS
Easy navigation
Improved UX through UI
UI Design
Brand
Logo & Branding Identity
Mobile App
Iconography
Website for Mobile App
Apps Motion Animations
UI Kit
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
URBAN EXPLORATION LOCATIONS (Local & Abroad)
Cleveland Observatory >>
Southworks Boiler
Factory Ruins >>
Elora Foundry
>>
U of W Service Tunnels >>
Toronto Subway Tunnels >>
Budd Automotive >>
APP SKETCHES
APP SKETCHES PT. 2
MOTION & ANIMATION SKETCHES
IDENTITY/LOGO SKETCHES
SAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE & INTRIGUING UI
Trekd r ati ngs f eature on top of l i sted l ocati on i nf o
Stel l er whi te type over i mager y, abi l i ty to ski p l ogi n
Fi nd Me Some i mmedi ate scrol l -through menu of categor y opti ons
Nat Geo content or gani zed by categor y r i ght on home screen
Fri ends Map real ti me geo-l ocati on of f r i ends/ f ol l ower s
Musi c App hel pf ul onboardi ng through pop up ti ps
Fri ends Map di f f erent opti ons to i nter act wi th f r i ends on map
EXISTING NAVIGATION/TRAVEL APPS
Gogobot >> Trekd >>
Airbnb >> GO Transit >>
Nightlife >> Flybi >>
RESEARCH OF MOST IMPORTANT UI FEATURES
What makes the most popular apps on the App Store so good?
{Data from Instagram, Airbnb, Geocacher app store reviews)
MY FINDINGS
ability to broswe by categor y
notification from app about new content
cluster location map
details of building: hazards/rating/building status
photo galler y
ability to change distance meter between MINUTES or KM
Im Looking For ______ scroll-through menu
APP STORE USER FINDINGS
social features: following/followers
more privacy settings
ability to choose preferred city
offline maps available when no cellular data/wifi
distance adjustment bar
notes/detail section about location/building
ability to plan trip with friends
viewability of photos added by other users
ability to check-in to places
Whats Nearby/Around Me feature
easy navigation
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Imam, Jareen, Daphne Sashin, Margaret Blaha, and Special To CNN. Urban Explorers Indulge a Fascination for Abandoned Buildings. CNN. Cable
News Network, 12 Feb. 2014. Web.
In this article, the love explorers share for abandoned places is justified by being physically challenging, pushes your creativity and is
intellectually stimulating. Documentation of these places is another prime concern, with the rise of the internet, only recently have
these photo collections become easily shared with other explorers.
Seeking an Older World: The Daring Art of the Urban Explorer | Charlatan. The Charlatan. Web.

Connecting with other explorers and sharing limited information online has lead to an increased popularity in this hobby. Forum-based
websites like uer.ca, Opacity, Infiltration and the UE section of Reddit, are web-prominent and contribute the most information about

abandoned locations, but lack a portable, mobile presence.
How Mobile Apps Are Helping Explorers Discover Their Cities. Mashable. Web

This list condenses five mobile apps that prove to be more portable and accessible ways for residents and tourists to access helpful
information in a more timely matter. Points of interest include: the ability to let users add items and info, option to create profile,
friend/follower interactions and access to photo galleries. 3
2
1
FURTHER RESOURCES
15 Urban Explorers from Toronto to Follow on Instagram. BlogTO RSS. N.p., 26 Aug. 2014. Web.
Access All Areas: a users guide to the ar t of urban exploration, 2005 Ninjalicious (Infilpress) ISBN 0-9737787-0-9
Bradley L. Garrett (October 2013). Explore Ever ything: Place-Hacking the City. Verso Books, Brooklyn, London and Paris. ISBN 9781781681299.
Dark Roasted Blend: Abandoned Places & Urban Exploring. Dark Roasted Blend. Web. Sept. 2014.
Haeber, Jonathan (21 December 2008). Complete Guide to Urban Exploration. Bearings.
Introduction to Android. Android Developers. Web. Sept. 2014.
IOS Human Interface Guidelines: Designing for IOS 7. IOS Human Interface Guidelines: Designing for IOS 7. 10 Mar. 2014. Web. Sept. 2014.
Pow, Helen (21 October 2013). Abandoned America: Ghostly pictures of urban decay taken by photographer who spent six years travelling to the
countr ys most eerie corners. DailyMail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Place Hacking on Vimeo. Place Hacking on Vimeo. Web. Sept. 2014.
User Interface Design for IOS 7 Apps. Video. Mike Stern. YouTube. 5 Jan. 2014. Web. Sept. 2014.
Warren, Christina. 5 Things to Consider When Designing Your Mobile App. Mashable. July 2010. Web. Sept. 2014.