jeepney
Type: Mobile app design
Role: Lead Designer, Researcher, Art Direction, Graphic Designer
The challenge
In what ways can we assist users in safely, efficiently, and accurately navigating Metro Manila?
Enabling users to navigate Metro Manila with safety, efficiency, and accuracy in mind
Jeepneys in Manila embody vibrance, beauty, and a sense of fun. However, alongside these positive attributes, they can also pose challenges due to their intricate routes, making navigation a daunting task. Typically, only long-term residents are adept at utilizing jeepneys due to their familiarity with the routes. Hence, our endeavor revolves around assisting users in safely, efficiently, and accurately traversing Metro Manila.
User interviews
I have completed 3 interviews. These individuals encompass those who have visited, relocated to, and resided in Metro Manila for their entire lives. My questions are:
Tell me about a time you took a new jeepney route in Metro Manila. Did you find your way alright?
How often do you jeepney to go to work or run errands?
Was there a time when you thought you had it figured out but ended up taking the wrong route?
What would make your jeepney commute easier?
Why is it important to have all the route information ready before you travel?
What can we do to make your journey better?
What were your biggest challenges as a jeepney passenger?
Interview insights
During the interview process, a staggering 70% of respondents revealed their experiences of getting lost while taking jeepneys in Metro Manila. While certain routes remain consistent, the abundance of turns often leads to confusion. Many individuals have reported disembarking at incorrect stops and subsequently having to walk for 10-15 minutes to catch their next jeepney. If they had known the correct stop, their travel time could have been reduced by 5 minutes. Furthermore, passengers frequently encounter difficulties due to a lack of accurate information on intercity rides, leading to unnecessary hassles when traveling from point A to point B. Another issue repeatedly raised is the absence of details regarding connecting routes among trains, jeepneys, buses, and tricycles. Initially conceived as a jeepney-only app, this idea has the potential to expand and incorporate other modes of transportation.
User personas
Angel Reyes
Age: 22 years old
Occupation: Engineering student
Nationality: Filipino
Desires: Wants to save time by knowing the jeepney routes ahead of time
About
Angel is an engineering student who studies at a university in Manila and lives in Quezon City. She has found her preferred route but would love the idea of an app that lets her know how to travel from point A to point B using different forms of transportation.
Angel’s goals and motivations
Angel’s goal is to arrive at her destination in a timely manner and to have an app or a website handy where she can gather information on a whim.
Angel’s frustrations
Angel is a very punctual person who strives to get to her destination on time. During school, she prefers to arrive early so she can have coffee. She does not like to rush.
Quotes
“I’ve been commuting between Manila and Quezon City for quite sometime so I know my routes now but I can see why riding jeepneys can be confusing for new comers. There just isn’t anything out there that would help them get the correct information.”
“I wish there was a comprehensive website out there where I can see the train schedules. There have been times where I had to take a taxi because I missed the train.”
About
John is a call center agent who works night and day shifts, it varies week by week. He has been commuting most of his work life. While there are some drawbacks, John enjoys the freedom of not having to pay for a car.
John’s goals and motivations
John’s goals and motivations are to know the proper way of going home during the night as most jeepney drivers prefer to work during the day. It leaves him with little option but to take a taxi. He doesn’t want to wait outside during the late hours as it could be dangerous. John’s family also visits him regularly from the province but he’s always had to take time off to pick them up from the station. He would like to have a website or an app to help his family be able to get to him without his help.
John’s frustrations
The Metro Manila transporation system is highly complex and confusing for people who lives outside Metro Manila.
Quotes
“It wouldn’t have been a problem if I could change my schedule but I have I need a few weeks to be able to book time off. My family doesn’t plan it out and just goes on a whim because their schedule varies as well. It would be extremely helpful if they can just have the proper information on the palm of their hands at all times.”
“I haven’t really been mugged but I would like to minimize the chances of it happening by know the schedules and proper routes.”
John Ramos
Age: 30 years old
Occupation: Call center agent
Nationality: Filipino
Desires: Wants to know how to commute during day and night. He would also like to help his family commute properly.
The solution
The solution we are proposing is an application that users can use on the go. With this app, they can enter their destination and location then the app will create routes for them. What makes this app unique is that we are going to give them an option to include and exclude modes of transportation like jeepneys, buses, trains and tricycles.
The app will also feature up-to-date routes in Metro Manila, complete with maps, schedules and proper stops.
Information architecture
Site map
User flow
Task 1: Angel wants to know how to get from her grandmother’s place in Sampaloc, Manila to Quiapo Church.
Task 2: John wants to find out how to get from Caloocan City to Manila.
Branding
Travelbud is a brand that focuses on finding human connections while travelling solo. The brand's logo is based on a script, which conveys a sense of fluidity and movement, while also suggesting a personal touch and human connection.
The brand's color palette includes Teal, White, and Grey. Teal is a bold and refreshing color that suggests a sense of adventure and exploration, while also being calming and serene. White conveys a sense of purity and simplicity, while Grey adds a touch of sophistication and elegance.
The brand's typography is based on the Open Sans typeface, which is a modern and versatile font that is great for readability on both mobile and desktop devices. The use of this typeface reinforces the brand's focus on simplicity and ease-of-use, while also conveying a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.
Overall, the Travelbud branding is designed to convey a sense of adventure, human connection, simplicity, and professionalism. The brand's logo, color palette, and typography all work together to create a cohesive and memorable brand identity that resonates with its target audience.
Logo
Wordmark
Icon
App button
Typeface
Color palette
#555555
R85 G85 B85
C64 M56 Y55 K31
#B606F7
R182 G6 B247
C51 M82 Y0 K0
#EDDB00
R237 G219 B0
C10 M6 Y100 K0
#000000
R0 G0 B0
C75 M68 Y67 K90
#FFFFFF
R255 G255 B255
C0 M0 Y0 K0
The mobile application
We are dedicated to assisting commuters in having a hassle-free transportation experience. Our app caters to various modes of transportation within Metro Manila, ranging from jeepneys to the metro. It provides multiple options for commuters to plan their trips, including jeepneys, trains, tricycles, and buses. Additionally, we have incorporated information on travel durations during specific times of the day, ensuring users can make informed decisions based on their preferred travel time.
The Planner
The main interface of the app features the Planner where users can input their destination - through this feature, jeepney will figure out a few ways the user can travel from point A to point B.
For ease of use, there are options to bookmark your most travelled to destinations like Home, Work or Gym.
The most recent section lists your last 3 destinations.
The Planner lists the location and final destination, with the option to input date and time so the app can list the best ways to travel according to time.
Alternatively, there will be an option to remove any of train, jeepney, bus or tricycle. This is possible only if there are multiple options available.
The user is then taken to a map and a detailed plan of their trip.
The Routes
The section helps users determine routes based on municipality. The user can either enter their location and the app will give them the closest jeepney routes, or they can select from the drop down list.
This is helpful because the user can plan their route ahead of time. They can also see places they’d want to visit based on the route.
Metro
The Metro section shows the map of the LRT and MRT train systems in Metro Manila. Through this - the user will be able to to determine which stations to get off at and where the jeepney routes are. Combining the two transportations saves the users time and money.
Help
We have added a Help button - when the user clicks this button it will prompt an emergency call 911 and the user will confirm if it wants to call.