Along
UX research, Interaction design, Brand, Prototyping
A New York walking app that tucks small sidequests into the route you already take.
- When
- November 2026
- For
- Designathon, team project
- Map apps get you there fast. Along adds a reason to slow down: a few sidequests on your way, and a companion, Lolo, who grows with every walk.
The problem
Map apps get you there fast. None care what happens on the way.
37.6%
of NYC trips were on foot in 2024
NYC DOT, 2024 Citywide Mobility Survey
How might we
help people value the journey of an everyday walk, not just the destination?
Research · 5 apps, 10 walkers
People don't mind long walks. They mind the same walk.
0/10
say the walk takes too long
Time isn't the problem. Sameness is.
8/10
made an unplanned stop recently
People still want surprises.
9/10
find out about things too late
Finds live in feeds, not on routes.
10/10
would detour 3 min for a sample sale
A clear detour is an easy yes.
Synthesis
Six themes, six design rules.
Sameness, not time, is the problem
Keep the route people already take. Make it feel new.
Tap a theme to see the screen it turned into.
Open the affinity map ↗Flow
Plan today. Walk. Look back.
Open the flow map ↗The design
Keep the route. Add a reason to slow down.
Lolo
A companion who grows with every walk.
Small for now. Every place leaves a mark.
One companion that grows with you, in place of a pile of badges.
Open the logo directions ↗Prototype
Try the walk.
Next
Test it on real walks.
10 answers are an early signal, not proof. Next: how often people accept a sidequest, and whether they check in again tomorrow.
Continue
View all projects