SideQuest
SideQuest
Reviving the MapQuest Brand by giving users a new way to experience the open road.
Reviving the MapQuest Brand by giving users a new way to experience the open road.
01 Overview
01 Overview
Team
Team
Team
Ryan Schork - Product Designer
Ryan Schork - Product Designer
Nathan Sisack - Copy Writer
Nathan Sisack - Copy Writer
Nathan Sisack - Copy Writer
Alex Ward - Art Director
Alex Ward - Art Director
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
My team and I wanted to develop a new platform to revive the once prominent brand, MapQuest, into a modern era. MapQuest was once the leader in road trip navigation; however, its popularity has faded over the past decades as navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze have taken over.
My team and I wanted to develop a new platform to revive the once prominent brand, MapQuest, into a modern era. MapQuest was once the leader in road trip navigation; however, its popularity has faded over the past decades as navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze have taken over.
My team and I wanted to develop a new platform to revive the once prominent brand, MapQuest, into a modern era. MapQuest was once the leader in road trip navigation; however, its popularity has faded over the past decades as navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze have taken over.
How will we bring back MapQuest? By curating a product innovation and campaign, positioning MapQuest as the navigation app that lets you experience more. The MapQuest app will no longer provide the "efficient route". SideQuests will provide users with the opportunity to see more, do more, and create new memories by taking the scenic route.
How will we bring back MapQuest? By curating a product innovation and campaign, positioning MapQuest as the navigation app that lets you experience more. The MapQuest app will no longer provide the "efficient route". SideQuests will provide users with the opportunity to see more, do more, and create new memories by taking the scenic route.
How will we bring back MapQuest? By curating a product innovation and campaign, positioning MapQuest as the navigation app that lets you experience more. The MapQuest app will no longer provide the "efficient route". SideQuests will provide users with the opportunity to see more, do more, and create new memories by taking the scenic route.
Research
Research
Research
When my team and I were starting out, one thing was abundantly clear: MapQuest needs to be different. This is because it is incredibly difficult to compete with an app that comes pre-installed on users' phones (Apple & Google Maps). So instead of going head-to-head with these major navigation apps, MapQuest will take an alternative route.
When my team and I were starting out, one thing was abundantly clear: MapQuest needs to be different. This is because it is incredibly difficult to compete with an app that comes pre-installed on users' phones (Apple & Google Maps). So instead of going head-to-head with these major navigation apps, MapQuest will take an alternative route.
When my team and I were starting out, one thing was abundantly clear: MapQuest needs to be different. This is because it is incredibly difficult to compete with an app that comes pre-installed on users' phones (Apple & Google Maps). So instead of going head-to-head with these major navigation apps, MapQuest will take an alternative route.
Problem
Problem
Problem
MapQuest was one of the first commercial mapping services, but they didn't keep up with their competitor's technological developments. So, how might we re-establish MapQuest as a brand in the modern era?
MapQuest was one of the first commercial mapping services, but they didn't keep up with their competitor's technological developments. So, how might we re-establish MapQuest as a brand in the modern era?
MapQuest was one of the first commercial mapping services, but they didn't keep up with their competitor's technological developments. So, how might we re-establish MapQuest as a brand in the modern era?
Insight
Insight
Insight
Road trips aren't about getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible. They are about the experiences and memories you make along they way. Instead of competing with the dominating navigation apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze), MapQuest should differentiate itself by going in the complete opposite direction.
Road trips aren't about getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible. They are about the experiences and memories you make along they way. Instead of competing with the dominating navigation apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze), MapQuest should differentiate itself by going in the complete opposite direction.
Road trips aren't about getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible. They are about the experiences and memories you make along they way. Instead of competing with the dominating navigation apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze), MapQuest should differentiate itself by going in the complete opposite direction.
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
MapQuest's mission statement reads, "We're into maps, but we connect more than just Point A to Point B." By leveraging its mission statement, MapQuest has a great opportunity to differentiate itself from the competition by rethinking efficiency-centric travel.
MapQuest's mission statement reads, "We're into maps, but we connect more than just Point A to Point B." By leveraging its mission statement, MapQuest has a great opportunity to differentiate itself from the competition by rethinking efficiency-centric travel.
MapQuest's mission statement reads, "We're into maps, but we connect more than just Point A to Point B." By leveraging its mission statement, MapQuest has a great opportunity to differentiate itself from the competition by rethinking efficiency-centric travel.
02 Product
Onboarding
Users will be greeted with pre-made SideQuests for their area. This way, those who just want to send it are able to get started as fast as possible.
Users will be greeted with pre-made SideQuests for their area. This way, those who just want to send it are able to get started as fast as possible.
Users can also filter these pre-made routes based on what they would like to experience, such as history, museums, nature, etc.
Users can also filter these pre-made routes based on what they would like to experience, such as history, museums, nature, etc.
Before putting in a final destination, users are able to select their vehicle of travel. This allows SideQuests to be more accessible by letting users drive, bike, or take a simple stroll.
Before putting in a final destination, users are able to select their vehicle of travel. This allows SideQuests to be more accessible by letting users drive, bike, or take a simple stroll.
Homescreen with pre-made Quests
Homescreen with pre-made Quests
Choose mode of transportation
Choose mode of transportation
Enter final destination
Enter final destination
Choosing your categories
Choosing your categories
Users can use the slider feature to tweak their route based on what they would like to experience. Having this be the first option primes the user to think about the journey in experiences rather than in time spent.
Users can use the slider feature to tweak their route based on what they would like to experience. Having this be the first option primes the user to think about the journey in experiences rather than in time spent.
History Slider at 100%
History Slider at 100%
Adding Sightseeing to Quest
Adding Sightseeing to Quest
Adding Museums to Quests
Adding Museums to Quests
Selecting Distance
Selecting Distance
When it came time to consider distance, SideQuests offered a slider with a corresponding map that shows approximately how long the journey will take. It ranges from a little out of the way, to an Epic Quest.
When it came time to consider distance, SideQuests offered a slider with a corresponding map that shows approximately how long the journey will take. It ranges from a little out of the way, to an Epic Quest.
Short quest
Short quest
Medium quest
Medium quest
Epic Quest
Epic Quest
Customizing Stops
Customizing Stops
Based on user input, SideQuests will generate a route with suggested stops. Users can choose to stick with this route, tweak the stop order, or add specific locations that they would like to stop at.
Based on user input, SideQuests will generate a route with suggested stops. Users can choose to stick with this route, tweak the stop order, or add specific locations that they would like to stop at.
List of Stops
List of Stops
Navigation
Navigation
Navigation remains the same as it currently is in MapQuest, featuring a simple UI so users can safely reach their stops.
Navigation remains the same as it currently is in MapQuest, featuring a simple UI so users can safely reach their stops.
They can also see their trip in full at any moment while navigating.
They can also see their trip in full at any moment while navigating.
Turn-by-turn Navigation
Turn-by-turn Navigation
Trip at a glance
Trip at a glance
Completion & Reward
Completion & Reward
Upon completion, users are shown the journey they had versus the journey they would have had if they used conventional navigation apps.
Upon completion, users are shown the journey they had versus the journey they would have had if they used conventional navigation apps.
If users complete the Epic Quest, they will earn a badge on their account and receive a 3D-printed commemorative item from their journey.
If users complete the Epic Quest, they will earn a badge on their account and receive a 3D-printed commemorative item from their journey.
Sidequest recap
Sidequest recap
Sadquest recap
Sadquest recap
Reward & badge
Reward & badge
Point A to Point A
Point A to Point A
Imagine you are having a boring Sunday. The weather outside is beautiful, your kids are restless, and you need some entertainment to spend the afternoon.
Imagine you are having a boring Sunday. The weather outside is beautiful, your kids are restless, and you need some entertainment to spend the afternoon.
Instead of heading to a destination, spend your day going from Point A to Point A, where your quest will end exactly where it began.
Instead of heading to a destination, spend your day going from Point A to Point A, where your quest will end exactly where it began.
User selected "Journey ends where it began"
User selected "Journey ends where it began"
Epic Quest that loops users back to where they started
Epic Quest that loops users back to where they started
Learnings & Conclusion
Learnings & Conclusion
This project forced me to think deeper about solving business needs. It allowed me to think about brand solutions that go against the current trends of navigation apps. One of my key learnings was that sometimes, the solution for a business is to go in the complete opposite direction. When everyone is zigging, sometimes you need to zag. Coming up with this solution takes MapQuest out of trying to compete with Apple and Google by creating an entirely unique experience that is only available on SideQuests.
This project forced me to think deeper about solving business needs. It allowed me to think about brand solutions that go against the current trends of navigation apps. One of my key learnings was that sometimes, the solution for a business is to go in the complete opposite direction. When everyone is zigging, sometimes you need to zag. Coming up with this solution takes MapQuest out of trying to compete with Apple and Google by creating an entirely unique experience that is only available on SideQuests.
