[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Project” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”135deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(255,255,255,0) 0%|gcid-c246323b-c8b2-49c6-9f39-04ad46e4997e 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/chiarapravlik.fastlinks.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/creative-director-12.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”5vw|5vw|5vw|5vw|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”||||true|true” custom_margin_phone=”0%|0%|0%|0%|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”6vw|6vw|6vw|6vw|true|true” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-1b3c32b3-47a7-43a2-aa95-46c707124d7b%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-b11513af-1b2a-4de7-ba7d-a80ed7bd01a9%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-c246323b-c8b2-49c6-9f39-04ad46e4997e%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(214,231,238,0.95)” width=”100%” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” scroll_vertical_motion=”0|50|50|100|1|0|-1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”492344f6-0838-4d86-85fa-907615fe95ae” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-649cc733-e42a-4379-a110-56be4153271c%22:%91%22header_2_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”947px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This individual capstone project explores how transit riders navigate temporary service disruptions in downtown Calgary. Current disruption communication often relies on text-heavy alerts, address-based directions, and inconsistent on-site signage, making it difficult for riders to quickly understand where to go. The final design proposes an integrated digital and physical wayfinding system that supports clearer decision-making, visual guidance, and rider confidence in real-time conditions.<\/p>\n
Role<\/strong>: Research, Information Design, UX\/UI Design, Wayfinding, Prototyping, Usability Testing<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Project Info” _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-63px|||||” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The Problem” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1″ title_font_size=”35px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”1082px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Transit disruption communication is not designed for real-world navigation. Riders are often presented with text-heavy alerts, address-based directions, and inconsistent or hard-to-find signage. These systems require users to mentally translate written information into physical movement, often while under time pressure.<\/p>\n As a result, riders frequently pause, second-guess their decisions, or rely on guesswork when navigating to temporary stops. This creates unnecessary cognitive load at critical decision points, especially for users who are unfamiliar with the area or navigating under stress.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0C71C3″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/chiarapravlik.fastlinks.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ProjectProposal_Chiara.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n View my project proposal here!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/chiarapravlik.fastlinks.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-problem.png” title_text=”the problem” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”gcid-649cc733-e42a-4379-a110-56be4153271c” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(214,231,238,0.89)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-649cc733-e42a-4379-a110-56be4153271c%22:%91%22overlay_icon_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Context & Users” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1″ title_font_size=”35px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”1082px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This system impacts a wide range of transit riders navigating dense downtown environments:<\/p>\n Across all groups, disruptions introduce uncertainty that forces users to quickly reorient. What they need is immediate clarity, low-effort information, and reassurance throughout their journey.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/chiarapravlik.fastlinks.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-problem-1.png” title_text=”the problem (1)” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”gcid-649cc733-e42a-4379-a110-56be4153271c” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(214,231,238,0.89)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-649cc733-e42a-4379-a110-56be4153271c%22:%91%22overlay_icon_color%22,%22overlay_icon_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Key Insight” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1″ title_font_size=”35px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”1082px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Through observation and usability testing, I found that navigation during disruptions is not linear; it is non-linear, time-sensitive, and visually driven.<\/p>\n Rather than carefully reading instructions, riders scan their environment, look for landmarks, and move based on what feels most intuitive. They frequently switch between their phone and surroundings, using each to validate their decisions. When information is unclear or overly text-based, users hesitate, lose confidence, and rely more heavily on instinct than guidance.<\/p>\n This revealed a critical gap between how information is presented and how it is actually used in real-world conditions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Design Approach” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1″ title_font_size=”35px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”1082px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The design approach shifted from instruction-based communication to visual guidance, grounded in cognitive and information design principles.<\/p>\n Key considerations included reducing cognitive load, prioritizing recognition over recall, and supporting decision-making under time pressure. This meant simplifying information, strengthening visual hierarchy, and making key actions immediately visible and easy to follow.<\/p>\n Rather than asking users to interpret information, the system was designed to guide them through it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The Solution” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1″ title_font_size=”35px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83f0f885-132e-435d-9f1a-d77147b571c1%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8df45aa4-2cf8-4175-a026-d5fd00078dec” text_font=”–et_global_body_font|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ max_width=”1082px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The final solution is an integrated wayfinding system that combines digital guidance with physical confirmation to support users throughout their journey.<\/p>\n The mobile experience provides clear disruption alerts, structured navigation guidance, and map-based route visualization. This helps users understand what has changed, where they need to go, and how to get there.<\/p>\n On-site signage reinforces this guidance by providing visible, recognizable confirmation at key decision points. By aligning digital and physical touchpoints, the system creates continuity, allowing users to confirm decisions in real time and navigate with greater confidence.<\/p>\n Check out my final solution in the Figma file below!<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n