Redesigning the Best Way to Get to Know a New Area

By Samantha Duncan

Observation + Research

Have the essentials lined up• New job or relocation of your job• New place to live• Lay of the land• Money• Know of or have transportation

Get the lay of the land from home:• Google Maps, Street Advisor• Local websites, Yelp• Research landmarks & destinations• Where are the necessities? (Grocery store,

hospital, vet, bank…)

Ways to adjust once you get there:• Be social and talk to strangers• Talk to your new co-workers about the

best places to go• Talk to people you meet in public about

the best places to go• Join a beginner class, try something new• Volunteer or join a Meetup revolving

around a hobby

Online research discovers. A lot of common trends within articles and forums.

Observation + ResearchGeneral interview questions to gain insight on other peoples’ opinions, experiences, and feelings:

What was your reason for moving?a) Closer to family -- 2 votesb) Job -- 8 votesc) To start a new life / just because -- 2 votes

Did you know about the area prior to moving?a) Not at all -- 2 votesb) A little -- 7 votesc) Very well -- 3 votes

What did you do to get to know the area before you got there? a) Visited the area prior to moving b) Nothingc) Asked friends/familyd) Internet research

Observation + ResearchGeneral interview questions to gain insight on other peoples’ opinions, experiences, and feelings:

Did you know anyone there before you moved?a) Yes -- 9 votesb) No -- 3 votes

What did you do to meet new people?a) Jobb) Hiking trailsc) Children's friends parentsd) Local eventse) Friend of a friendf) School

How long was it before you felt adjusted?a) 2 weeks -- 1 voteb) 2-3 months -- 10 votesc) 4+ months -- 1 vote

Observation + ResearchGeneral interview questions to gain insight on other peoples’ opinions, experiences, and feelings:

Additional notes:a) Money was tight after their moveb) First 2 weeks were spent at home mostlyc) Groupon and other coupon sites were used to find local stuff to do

Empathy Mappinga) Pains: New kid syndrome, low budget, unfamiliar territory, lonely, etc.b) Gains: New experiences, places, people, culture

The Expected + Unexpected• Some surveyors moved just because they could.• Time to adjust was much faster than I anticipated, averaging

2-3 months.• Majority were happy with their choice to move weeks,

months, and years after.• Those who moved back home regretted not being as social as

they could have been with locals at their new location.• People chose to participate in frugal activities to get to know a

new area.

Goals / Wishes / Insights

• Socialization• Essentials

a) Lay of the landb) Somewhere to livec) Job lined up or able to take with youd) Transportation e) Money

• Time to adjust• Experience

Problem Statement

People need a way to…experience, socialize, and belong

Because….adjusting to a new area can be lonely but also fun and

full of discovery.

Mind Mapping

Sketching

Prototype: “Advent” Calendar

Concept:• 1 month calendar• 1 idea per day for local events, restaurants, other things to do• Open to reveal daily offer

The Process

“Advent” Calendar

Revised based on feedback:• 3 month calendar• 1 idea per week, offers available on the weekends/evenings• Weekly idea/offer is FREE• Caters to the users, so there is a version for:

a) Singlesb) Couplesc) Familiesd) Elderly

Working Model