This project was one where we primarily communicated with the client and built our designs off client requirements. However, as Product Designers, we always kept the end-user in mind when creating the experience we wanted the users to have. Our design team took inspiration from various platforms that had mapping services such as Google Maps, Airbnb and Lonely Planet to guide our work.

Starting with low fidelity explorations, we worked together to compare which designs would yield the most intuitive experience for our users.

One example of how we explored a wide range of different designs for the map was with the pin icons for the stories that were located at the women’s current cities of residence. Using the idea of the shoe as a metaphor for the women’s journeys to Canada, we decided to incorporate this idea in our final pin designs.

Here are the explorations for the pins.

This experience was a huge learning opportunity for me. I was able to gain so much knowledge from working with the Senior Product Designer, Joslyn, on my team. Joslyn taught me how to design for responsiveness, how to use grid layouts and also how to battle the gruelling intricacies of dealing with auto-layout.

A huge aspect of this project was the fact that we were all working remotely as a new team. I learned that the key to working well together remotely is to see how you can replicate an in-person experience through this new virtual format. From taking part in the multiple socials we had, I learned that bonding through inside jokes and sharing stories is the best way to get to know one another. I learned not to be afraid of sharing more and talking to my teammates to get to know them on a personal level.