Windows Maps
Redesigned Windows Maps across phone, tablet, and desktop, putting the map first. Introduced multi-search, so people could plan a trip on a single map, and moved key controls within thumb reach on phones.
Revolutionizing
online maps
Role:
Senior UX Designer
Owned the full Maps experience, except turn-by-turn navigation
Learnings from previous design
Celebrate the map, not the chrome
The first version of the app was chrome heavy, with a persistent left panel that occupied space regardless of how much content it contained.
Improve reachability on mobile
Navigation on the mobile app was hard to reach when holding a phone with one hand—important when on the go.
Explorations
Option 1
Searches build to the right, and cards pop up proximally
Option 2
Searches build vertically, in a persistent position, height relative to amount of content
Revised model
Based on early UR studies, I created a hybrid model where searches build to the right, and populate content in a persistent position—which tested well. We went on to experiment with mobile and tablet layouts.
Inking
Early explorations for draw-for-directions and canvas annotations
Final designs
Multi-search
Trip planning scenario: search for hotels and find great ramen nearby
Reachability and accessibility
Accessibility was a major focus, especially one-handed use on phones. We moved key navigation to the bottom of the screen, within thumb reach, and added flick and pull gestures so people could search and move around the map without stretching or switching hands.
Accent color
Active and inactive points of interest designed to support Windows accent colors, including neutral tones.
Theming
Full support for light and dark themes.
Map annotation + 3D cities
Annotation persists on map canvas
The redesign shipped to every Windows 10 device, from phones and tablets to PCs and Xbox, giving one Maps experience across every screen size and input, from touch and pen to mouse and controller.
Multi-search and map inking were later named among the features where Windows Maps outdid Google Maps.