final version

Museum route

 

Shopping route

 

Here they are! The final versions of the two maps. These are the final maps we made using the insights from the user test in Rotterdam.

 

Things we have changed are:

• added more streets and buildings (grey surfaces) at the left bottom. In the previous version (see below) the museum route was  very unattractive, because it looked like you would walk just outside of the center. While when you would take the shopping route, you would go inside the center and see water and little streets which makes it much more appealing.
• broadened the canal along the Phoenixstraat. We did this for the same reason as above, to make this side more appealing.
• the starting point is pointing up now, instead of to the right. Of course, pointing to the right gives the map too much of a direction.
• removed the gradient over the map and houses. The map and houses were provided with a subtle gradient to enhance the feeling of perspective. This caused more problems than it solved however, so we removed it.
• changed the color of the route to a more contrasting color.
• the Phoenixstreet was dark grey, we changed this to very light grey. We wanted to make both sides as equal as possible, but in the previous version, there is this dark grey stroke along the museum direction. We thought this had a negative effect for this direction.

 

making of... the icons

First we start off with the base shape. This is exactly the same for both to create a balance between them.

Then we modeled the characteristic rooftops.

The ribbon and the big M are the main clues as to what the icons depict.

Some extra detailing in the facade.

And finally, the shop sign and the flag to finish it off!

results user test

When we showed both maps, 19 of the 20 people saw a difference. Most of the comments were on the difference in direction of the icons/buildings. Some people said that the locations of the buildings were different and some thought the colors were different. Surprisingly, some people saw only difference in one group of icons, like ' the ribbons are turned'.

8 people were shown the shopping route. 7 of the 8 people did choose the shopping direction. Since almost all the participants chose the direction we wanted for the shopping route, we did not find it necessary to ask more people.

12 people were shown the museum route. 6 of the 12 participants chose the museum route. This shows that this map was not very effective. We could not influence their decision.

If we compare this element to the fact that almost all participants looking at the shopping route took the right turn, we can say that we have to minimize the elements on the museum route, which make the viewer miss our point and choose the wrong direction.

We did not find any significant influence on the choices of the participants depending on the way we asked the question, like explained in the previous post.

The table below summarizes the results of the test.

user test in Rotterdam

On saturday we tested the maps in Rotterdam. We tested 20 people who were not familiar with Delft. We also made a division in how we asked the question to the participants. So when testing the museum map, we asked one half of the participants 'you want to visit museums and shops, which route would you choose?', and one half 'you want to visit shops and museums, which route would you choose?'. The results of the test will be posted soon!

take a closer look

Here are the new icons one more time, but this time closer. We are very proud of them :)

the 3d icons placed on the map

We introduce the new 3d icons of shops and museums in this version of the map. The direction of the facades in relation to the route, the cast shadow of the icons on the ground and the gradience of color complement each other in pointing direction.

position and direction of icons

We decided on the directions of the front sides of the icons, which will be the main difference in both maps. Below both maps are shown. However, on the museum route map we want to make adjustment on the directions of the green icons. They have to turn to the left a little more, to emphasize the direction a little more.

Shopping map with the correct directions.

Museum map, where the green icons need some adjustment.