Challenge Summary
Welcome to Greyhound - Coach Network Ideation challenge. In this challenge, we are looking for your solutions on how to enable users to become engaged with the UI in order to have their exploration reveal the breadth of the Greyhound network. Submission for this challenge should be focused on solution flow and interaction options, rather than final design.
Important Rule Challenge for this Ideation Challenge
You are allowed to submit your ideas at any time during this challenge i.e .you are allowed to submit to the final phase even if you did not submit to the checkpoint phase. All ideation submissions will be accepted (that pass screening). Note: while we are allowing this challenge to be "open" throughout we do recommend you submit to the checkpoint so we can review and provide valuable feedback.
Excited to see your solutions.
Good Luck!
Round 1
Submit your initial idea for checkpoint feedback
Round 2
Your final idea with all Checkpoint Feedback implemented.
Challenge Description:
Purpose of this challenge is to come up with a idea/solution for the below given problem statement!
Problem:
Greyhound is the prominent operator of inter-city bus services in North America. Greyhound has about 3,800 thousand locations in the area, and each of these connect to certain other locations, creating a network of 48,000 origin and destination combinations. The challenge is how do we show the user such a large network, visually? If we simply show all locations and their connections on a map of the US, it would be a mess of far too many dots and lines for the user to comprehend.
Solution Ideas:
- We want to create “mini-experiences” of user exploration, where the size of the network is revealed by the user making choices which result in only parts of the network being revealed at one time. We want to get the user engaged and into an exploratory state of mind, in order to have their interactions reveal the breadth of the Greyhound network.
- The ultimate goal is to drill down to a trip where we can see a “Book It” call to action, but you will NOT cover what happens once that button is clicked.
- We are looking for submissions which highlight your concepts for layout and flow of the map-based interface, which allows for user exploration of the network.
Submission Guidelines:
- Your submission must be visual in nature, provide us sketches or wireframes or basic layout storyboards. Fully designed storyboards are NOT in scope for this challenge. We prefer that you spend the time thinking of great ways to solve the problem and creating intuitive user experiences, rather than making a pretty interface (“making it pretty” is a time-intensive effort, which will come later). However, your submission must be largely visual in nature, so wireframes / sketches / rough storyboards which show the intended visuals, interaction elements, and layout are in scope.
- Your submission must be accompanied by a text doc which explains the flow and idea behind any solution elements NOT represented by / made clear in visuals in your submission.
- Your submission must Include an interactive map concept throughout the experience (in other words, this cannot be a web form that the user fills out and submits, in order to see a map - the map must be visible in all screens).
- Your submission must assume desktop experience / large interface size (phone interface is not in scope). Note that a map of the United States here will be pretty large, so space on the screen is an issue. If we have banner or other such elements for promotions or exploration packages, they should probably be “show / hide” elements or not too large / tall on the screen.
- Your submission must focus on the stated “Problem” above, in other words you do NOT need to go into flows for: booking trip, logging in, going into “my trips” section, etc..
References:
- You can learn more about Greyhound here: https://www.greyhound.com/
- A similar solution example that we would like you to explore can be found here:
(Please make sure you do not copy the solution exactly as shown in this)
http://www.jetblue.com/WhereWeJet/
Note: You should enter “to” and “from” locations in the upper left corner, in order to see secondary options that appear. We do NOT want this exact interface, but rather this is just a good example to draw from as far as: The user can interact / explore and the map interface changes, based on user interactions.
Considerations:
Below are some comments from the customer, which you should consider in your ideas.
- We’re looking for ways to get people to explore/comprehend how large the network is with. Interactive interface highlighting possible exploration routes, based on choices the user makes.
- User probably starts with a simple map, but the map changes based on the user’s selected options.
- User can plan a simple trip from point a to point b.
- User can also choose to create a more complex trip (multiple stops), based on a desire to have an adventure (examples: explore the state parks, explore the southwest, explore the 6 flags amusement parks, etc.. pre-created theme trips with multiple stops, where they can choose which of the available stops to use and change the order of stops).
- User can explore with a “where can i go?” approach: User can choose to create a trip based on some pre-created concepts, such as “where can I go (from current location) for $100?”, “where can I go (from current location) in 2 hours?”
- When focusing on a particular Greyhound location, the user can view information about different locations, such as: if this is a terminal or curbside pickup location (location type), things to see & do, places to stay, places to eat, nightlife, public transportation (subway / taxis / buses), etc.
- We have included a file which lists all fo the locations in the US. Note that you do not need to use this file, it is simply provided so you can get a better idea of the size of the network.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Although there are no limit to number of submissions you can upload, you should only upload multiple submissions if each one is substantially different from your others. Within these constraints, you are free to describe any number of alternative approaches and extra features. In fact, we encourage you to do so. You can't have too unique many ideas.
Target Audience:
- The target audience for this application will be men and women who have internet access / are familiar with the internet and who want to book a trip on Greyhound buses.
Judging Criteria:
- How well you capture the concept of engaging the user / making the experience interactive
- How well you capture the concept of revealing the scope of the Greyhound network, through user interaction
- How well you plan the user experience and capture your ideas for us (again - NOT focused on design / “prettiness” of submissions - sketches and wireframes are fine)
- How well you design the application layout
Submission and Source Files Requirements:
Preview Image
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission File
Submit JPG/PNG or HTML (created using any wireframe tools) files for your submission files or any other tools that helps you explain your concept!
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created as a wireframe or using drawing tool such as Balsamiq, Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator, Axure or any other tools that you used!
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your submission. We may ask you to update your concept based on challenge details and/or checkpoint feedback.
Please read the challenge specification carefully and watch the forums for any questions or feedback concerning this challenge. It is important that you monitor any updates provided by the client or Studio Admins in the forums. Please post any questions you might have for the client in the forums.