07.2020 - 09.2020
Google Maps
Parking
Parking, as a crucial part of the traveling journey is incomplete in Google Maps. This project aims to create a parking search flow that would seamlessly fit inside the main Google Maps workflow.
This project was done as a part of the Applied 2020 Product Design Program. and was recognized for Best Visual Design and Best Presentation.
Product Design
Individual Project
Design Research
Visual Design
Prototyping
Google Maps wants to cover the whole journey
Google Maps is ambitious. It wants to cover the whole vertical of traveling & going out. However, the parking feature leaves much more to be desired.
The Problem
Users have to leave Google Maps to find parking
While the parking feature has been a part of Google Maps since 2017, it has been poorly integrated into the Google Maps workflow. Many users choose to use external sources to find parking, and this really frustrates users.
A frustrated user trying to find parking by zooming in on the map.
Introducing
A smooth and consistent parking experience
Entry Points
The new destination card
Understand the parking situation at your destination at a glance. No more searching outside the app.
Parking Indicator
Quickly understand the parking situation at your destination.
Parking Button
Allows you to enter the parking search feature.
Find parking at every step
Understand the parking situation at your destination at a glance. No more searching outside the app.
Hover on the screens to animate
Search result entry point
Details card entry point
Trip over view entry point
Parking Search Screen
Discover parking in context
Find parking in context of the destination you are searching for.
Parking Card
The card lets you quickly overview the parking location and add it to your trip.
Focus on what matters
The map pans and focuses on both the destination and selected parking pin to help you find it on the map.
All the details you need
Click on parking cards to learn more about the parking space.
Sort your results
Google Maps ranks the search results so you can make a better and easier decision.
Old Design (2x speed)
Inefficient and confusing
The old parking flow requires you to cancel your search, and doesn’t show your destination in the sea of parking pins.
New Design
Easy, seamless, consistent
The new design makes it easy to find the feature, avoids forcing the user to leave their current search, and provides an experience consistent with the rest of Google Maps.
now lets look at the process...
User Research
5/6 interviewed users use external sources to find parking
The lack of parking incorporation makes for an frustrating experience that leaves much more to be desired, and gives competition a chance to sneak in.
Design Insights
From my research and interviews with users, I discovered four main design insights that could guide and scope the project.
Design Iterations
The small details that matter
Working with a feature dense app means working within a tightly constrained system, and every visual detail added must fit the rest.
The process of incorporating a parking system is the process of small visual design details that add up to a complete and coherent flow.
Next steps
Navigating from parking to destination
While the new feature gets the user to the parking, it would be nice if Google Maps also gets the user to the destination as a natural next step.
Street Parking
While garage and lot parking are the easiest to integrate, street parking is also a very popular and important option for users when finding a space for their cars. Integrating street parking will be an interesting challenge.
What I learned
The process ain’t fixed
The design process is not as rigid as taught in school. It is ok to go into Hi-fi prototype early if you know what you are trying to get out of it.
