The Emotional Side of Design: Merian Scout Navigator May 14, 2008

The Emotional Side of Design: Merian Scout Navigator

May 14, 2008

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3© 2008 frog design. Confidential & Proprietary.Where 2.0 Conference Presentation

Table of Contents

Form Follows Function

Form Follows Emotion

Merian Scout Case Study

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION


Wayfinding3 key ways humans navigate and wayfind in the physical world:

Landmarks

Routes

Maps

Form Follows Function


Landmarks


Landmarks

Landmarks are distinctive and should be easily viewable from a distance.


Routes


Routes

Routes are abstract and point to point, with the journey internalized and not easily communicable.


Maps


Maps

Maps reveal overall spatial orientation and the general relationships of one place to another.

FORM FOLLOWS EMOTION


Connecting Emotionallyfrog’s philosophy is that without the intent and achievement of connecting with the user, the experience of even a well designed object can be cold or disconnected.



A cult of personality

MERIAN SCOUT CASE STUDY


ChallengeMerian’s known brand of tour guides and magazines provided premium content. Now they wanted to branch out into creating their own GPS device with premium content and experience for European travelers.

Approachfrog believes that “form follows emotion” and the key to successful product and UI design takes its cues from human connection. The frog team in Germany created a superior navigational product, leveraging emotional content ties from the brand’s heritage.

Merian Scout Case Study



It offers trusted trip content. When you drive by POI signs in Germany, it recognizes them and talks to you about it via audio and image.



It’s your “Plan B”. The restaurant you planned to visit is closed on Mondays. Instantly let Scout find you a nearby back-up plan for dining.



It’s your tour guide. The umbrella is symbolic of tour guide leads. It can be combined with other search parameters, like the Scout to find interesting places near your destination.


Emotional Connections

Making memories. Photos provide starting points to other trips’ fond memories...


Emotional Connections

…Much like building a gallery. Saved and suggested images prompt ideas for new routes, trips and side visits along the way.



It’s all about you. Based on your patterns of usage it could tailor suggestions to you over time, making it a very personal Merian experience. The packaging reflects that sense of the experience being about your trip and your happiness.



It speaks the language of the brand and of navigation. Product design choices emanate the compass and wayfinding elements in the blue lights and physical artifacts. The high tier Merian content brand transcended UI and physical space.



THE END RESULT


Merian Scout Packaging - The Experience Starts Here


Merian Scout Device Design - A Good Out Of Box Experience


Merian Scout UI - Delivering on the Promise





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The Emotional Side of Design: Merian Scout Navigator May 14, 2008