SYNTHESIS

In this part, I summarize and organize my research findings. I created personas that represent the most likely users of this app. I developed research themes that will guide the design of this app. Finally, I summarize all research in a few insights about the current situation when visiting a zoo and what the audience would like to see in a zoo app.

All 8 questions were summarized into five main questions. Each sticky note is an answer to these questions. The notes were distributed into common groups of information and features people like or dislike in currents apps or printed maps.

1. Things didn't like about paper maps

2. Good Features in the current zoo apps

4. Features didn't like in a zoo app

3. Features desired in an app

4. Features I dream in a Zoo app

Part 2

Affinity Diagram

AFFINITY DIAGRAM

Part 1

PERSONAS

Davis, CA - between 20-30 - Teacher

Clara

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Clara is an elementary school teacher. She has been teaching for over five years. Every spring, she takes her students on a field trip to the zoo. She has been using the zoo printed map for planning and as a zoo guide.

FRUSTRATIONS

Printed maps are big and bothersome to open and close while you are guiding a group of kids.
Printed maps have small font
Printed maps don't tell you when an exhibit has been close or is under reparation
Maps crammed too much information in a big sheet

MOTIVATION

Likes to be more efficient when visiting a zoo
Likes to make a plan before visiting the zoo.

NEEDS

As a teacher, she is looking for a more comprehensive way to find information.
She would like to plan ahead before going to the zoo
She would like to be notified of updates in the zoo schedule

Laura

Davis, CA - between 30-40 - Parent

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Laura is a parent of three girls. She is also a biologist. During the summer she takes her girls to the zoo. This is a fun and instructive time for her to spend a summer morning

MOTIVATION

She usually eats at the zoo concession stands and restaurants
She loves to take her girls to the zoo and make the most of one visit
Information at each exhibit is important to her
She enjoys seeing the animal feeding events

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Laura likes printed maps but she doesn't end up looking at them that much because it just takes too long to browse
The font on printed maps is too small
Current mobile apps don't offer a GPS walk through the zoo
Maps don't let you know that exhibits are closed

NEEDS

She would like to see event notifications
She would like to see a map with GPS enabled to navigate the zoo from anywhere she is located
She would like to see restaurant menus

Ben

UC Davis - 19 Years Old - Student.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Ben is majoring in Bio-Chemistry at UC Davis in Davis, CA. He likes to go to the zoo now and then. He enjoys taking his time visiting and would like one day to work for an aquarium or a zoo part-time just to get more familiar with animal and habitat conservation

FRUSTRATIONS

Ben found out that maps look cool but he hasn't really used them when he is around the zoo. The maps don't tend to be accurate and many times are confusing
Sometimes he goes to an exhibit to find out that zoo personnel is feeding that particular animal and it cannot be is not available to be seeing
The food is too expensive. Discounts will be nice.
Zoos have become too crowded

MOTIVATION

He loves to see animals and learn from them
He would like to visit the zoo more often
The zoo is the only place he would see animals closer that he could not see otherwise

NEEDS

A way to find out when the busiest times are at the zoo
He will like to know when exhibits are close or under repair before he gets there
A way to navigate the zoo using his phone since it is with him all the time

Personas

RESEARCH THEMES

Adults that go to the zoo with children under 11 years old. Seventy percent of people go to the zoo with children under the age of 11
Young adults ages 21-34. These make 32% of zoo-goers
Teachers of elementary school children
People that frequently visit the zoo
People that are comfortable with technology

Research Themes

RESEARCH FINDINGS

About Printed Maps

People who visit zoos find the printed maps are at times confusing and not accurate
Many complained that the fonts in printed maps were too small
Printed maps try to cover too much in a limited space
They are awkward to manipulate when you have other stuff to hold

Current Zoo Apps

Too slow
Poor notification system
No step-by-step navigation guide

What Will People like to have

A way to get accurate notifications about animal feeding, and shows
What the busiest times at the zoo are
A way to let them know beforehand that an exhibit is not available
Audio information about a particular animal

Research Findings