Online maps have revolutionized how we travel. No more unfolding (and worse, refolding) paper maps or flipping through dated Thomas Guides. No driving around in circles because you made a wrong turn. Less getting stuck in traffic.
But as the technology, point-of-interest data and interfaces have improved, we’ve cluttered the user interface. Instead of focusing on what users care about, we’ve added lot of junk.
Consider the map above. How many people are going to randomly decide that they want to go to Floor & Decor, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Valero (um, I’m driving an EV!), Quality Appliance Repair or Maple Auto Body? I’ve already told the computer my goal: getting to 2860 Spring St.
Maps should show:
- What the user has searched for.
- Where the user is.
- Prominent navigational aids, e.g. near this screenshot you would have passed the airport.
- Obstacles, e.g. traffic accidents.
- Traffic lights and stop signs along the user’s route. (Inexplicably, Google Maps still doesn’t do this in the U.S.; Apple does.)
If the business model calls for it, ads can be shown.
Otherwise, get out of the user’s way!
redesign | mobile 