A photography based storytelling app that encourages immersive, respectful hikes in Bears Ears National Monument.
Many visitors to Bears Ears unintentionally harm the environment due to unfamiliarity with outdoor etiquette. How might we create a digital experience that encourages respectful, thoughtful engagement with the landscape while fostering connection to its cultural and natural history?
Intent transforms hiking into an immersive storytelling experience, prompting users to pause, reflect, and capture their journey. By combining photos, voice recordings, and shared narratives, the app encourages empathy, respect for nature, and deeper connections to the land.
Bears Ears has been a vital place for Indigenous tribes for centuries, with Pueblo ancestors leaving behind archaeological sites and modern communities continuing cultural practices like woodcutting, herb gathering, and ceremonies. Beyond its natural beauty, the region holds deep cultural and historical significance.
In 2016, President Obama designated 1.35 million acres as Bears Ears National Monument, but the following year it was reduced to 200,000 acres, highlighting the ongoing need to protect and respect this land.
Storytelling encompasses a dynamic exchange between a storyteller and one or multiple listeners. The reactions and engagement of the audience actively shape the way the story unfolds. This collaborative and coordinated process between the narrator and their audience gives rise to storytelling. Importantly, it does not establish an artificial divide between the speaker and the listeners.
Photographs capture moments, which can carry sentimental or influential significance. These images hold the power to profoundly affect what people observe and how they act. They serve as bridges that connect individuals across the globe, fostering friendships and paving new pathways. Photography possesses the ability to inspire and influence a wide range of people.
An application that enables users to access trial maps of Bears Ears National Monument. During their hike, the app will prompt users to pause, capture photos, and record audio that captures their unique experiences. These user-generated content pieces will then be shared with previous hikers, fostering a deeper connection to the environment and enhancing empathy through a slowed-down, immersive exploration.
Using the Bullet Canyon Trail as a case study, I analyzed most of the points of interest along the hike and created an empathy map to illustrate the journey a hiker would experience. This map highlights the level of engagement with the app in relation to the points of interest encountered throughout the trail.
As Bears Ears National Monument gains popularity, visitors sometimes harm the environment due to a lack of outdoor etiquette. I propose a photography-based storytelling platform to encourage respectful visits.
Intent is an app centered around photography-based storytelling, crafted to enrich the hiking experience in protected lands. Creating a safe and thought provoking experience.
I created the landing page by drawing inspiration from the Friends of Cedar Mesas website. I replicated their color scheme and font to design a logo and user interface. The concept behind the logo was to seamlessly blend elements of the outdoors with a connection to mapping or hiking.
The homepage enables users to discover nearby hikes tailored to their location and also explore hikes globally for future trips. Users have the option to refine their search by applying filters like difficulty level, hike distance, point-to-point routes, and more.
Upon selecting a hike, users can access comprehensive details about the trail. This includes a brief historical description and other relevant information. Users can see reviews from previous hikers, along with star ratings, details on distance, elevation gain, and an estimated time required to complete the hike. Additionally, users have the option to download the hike, ensuring the map functionality remains accessible even in areas with low reception.
Once the hike starts, the app continuously tracks the user's progress, visually displaying their location on the trail through a map. Users have the flexibility to pause and resume the tracking at their convenience, ensuring accurate data recording during breaks. Throughout the hike, users receive real-time stats on their progress, including remaining distance, remaining time, speed, elevation gain, and additional details.
At designated locations or points of interest along the trail, users will receive notifications prompting them to pause and reflect on their experience. This feature encourages users to form a personal connection with these specific locations, enhancing their overall engagement and creating a more intimate and meaningful experience with the landscape.
Upon selecting "continue," users are prompted to capture a photo of anything they find noteworthy. Photographs have the power to encapsulate moments that hold sentimental or impactful significance. The art of photography serves as a potent tool in storytelling and fostering connections.
Following the photograph, users are prompted to create a voice recording, delving into more detail about their personal experience. This allows them to establish a deeper connection with the landscape and articulate the connection between their surroundings and the photograph they've just taken.
Finally, users can share their experience on the platform, unlocking the ability to access and listen to the narratives of those who have been at the same hike location in the past. Only after sharing their own encounter can users engage with the experiences of others.
Intent was my first real dive into app design, and it got me hooked on UI/UX and designing for people. Getting out on the trail, talking to visitors, and seeing how they experienced the space reminded me how important it is to watch and listen instead of assuming I know what users need.
If I did it again, I’d bring in more user testing earlier and keep talking with stakeholders and engineers throughout. I learned that balancing big ideas with what’s actually feasible makes designs stronger and more useful.