2021-2022
research, user tests, wireframes, user flows, prototypes, documentation, story writing, reviews & tests, copy, ux, ui & interaction, branding, workshops
Path is a walking safety app that leverages AI to guide users away from unsafe areas while notifying emergency contacts in real time if a user deviates from their route or encounters trouble. Unlike traditional location-sharing or navigation apps, Path puts safety at the forefront, proactively protecting users throughout their journey.
Featured in major media outlets like The Times, BBC, The Telegraph, HuffPost, Metro, and Bustle, Path gained attention for its innovative approach to pedestrian safety in urban environments.
As the Senior Product Designer, I was responsible for transforming Path's mission into a seamless, intuitive experience that prioritized user safety while maintaining simplicity. From the outset, I was deeply involved in crafting an experience that balances the need for safety with usability, minimizing cognitive load and user input.
Many navigation platforms rely on users to manually report unsafe areas, often leaving the decision-making to them. Path aimed to change this by offering a more automated solution, dynamically guiding users away from danger without the need for constant interaction.
One of the biggest challenges was to ensure that crowdsourced data about unsafe areas was reliable without falsely flagging harmless areas like busy city centers. Our goal was to create a system that intelligently filtered and validated user reports, ensuring that only relevant information influenced the user’s journey.
To address this, we integrated the Google Maps API with our custom crowdsourced data system. Users could effortlessly avoid unsafe areas thanks to our routing algorithm, which guided them away from potential danger zones without cluttering the map with pins or markers. We allowed users to draw unsafe areas on the map directly, giving them a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the system.
Additionally, I designed a severity scoring mechanism to differentiate between minor issues (like poor lighting) and major threats (like reports of crime), ensuring the app provided practical and efficient routes without unnecessarily long detours.
Based on user feedback, we implemented a major redesign of the route-planning feature to accommodate public transportation. This redesign allowed users to plan routes that included buses and other forms of transit, with new systems to detect when users got on or off the bus and adjust the routing accordingly.
In response to concerns about perceived danger, we partnered with a network of cafes and stores to create “safe spaces” for users. These locations were integrated into Path’s routing, allowing users to quickly reroute themselves to a nearby safe space if they felt threatened.
While Path’s primary function is to guide users safely, we also focused on emergency response features. Users can manage their emergency contacts independently of their phone’s OS, giving them granular control over who has access to their journey details. If users deviate from their route or exhibit unusual behavior (like stopping suddenly or moving too quickly), Path prompts them to confirm their safety. If they don’t respond, the app immediately notifies their emergency contacts.
Emergency features were further refined by simplifying the process for adding contacts. Originally, we required contact approval, but after considering edge cases where a contact might miss the invitation, we removed this step. Now, users can add contacts without needing their acceptance, ensuring that safety isn’t delayed.
The initial onboarding process for Path included typical introductory screens, but user feedback revealed that this wasn’t enough to help them understand some of the app’s more complex features. To address this, I extended the onboarding process beyond just a few initial screens, embedding educational prompts and explanations throughout the app’s various flows.
Users could now learn about emergency contact management, public transit integration, and the app’s novel safety features as they encountered them, ensuring that they always felt in control and informed.I wanted to keep the registration process as simple as possible. We don't exactly need that much information from our users so I fought tooth and nail to make sure we're not asking anyone to provide information that is not reasonable for us to ask for just because other apps are doing it.
A significant challenge in Path was dealing with overlapping unsafe areas in densely populated cities. To avoid overly long detours or unnecessary rerouting, I designed a scoring system that took into account the severity and frequency of reports, allowing the app to intelligently prioritize more critical threats while avoiding minor issues like traffic or dim lighting.
Additionally, we had to account for varying levels of user activity in different regions. Some cities saw more crowdsourced reports than others, so we developed dynamic adjustments to ensure that the app remained useful regardless of the volume of user data.
Throughout the project, I collaborated closely with product managers to plan and prioritize features, ensuring that both design and development were aligned. I also worked daily with developers to QA new features, troubleshoot implementation issues, and ensure smooth integration of complex functionalities. In addition, I led the collaboration with external Google Maps experts to solve technical challenges related to the API, enabling us to push the app’s capabilities even further.
Given the complexity of Path, a well-structured design system was essential. I created a comprehensive design system that allowed our team to maintain consistency across screens, accelerate design delivery, and simplify the handoff to developers. I also developed an interaction library to visually document transitions and interactions, ensuring that both designers and developers had a clear reference for how the app should function.
Path is more than just a navigation app; it’s a proactive safety tool designed to protect users in real-time. Designing Path was a journey in balancing simplicity with complexity—ensuring that the app remained intuitive while offering advanced safety features. From integrating public transit to creating a network of safe spaces, I played a central role in delivering an experience that keeps users safe at every turn.
Despite the behind-the-scenes complexity, my goal was always to present Path as an intuitive tool—one that users could rely on without needing to constantly manage it. This project was a unique challenge, and it taught me invaluable lessons in navigating the balance between user-centered design and technical complexity.
