Backpacking Europe This presentation was created for a special topics course (GD492) at North Carolina State University. It is the mid-semester proposal for a mobile component within a service ecology that enables a specific group of people to learn a complex process. The service focuses on developing skills, rather than managing information—it performs analogously as training wheels, rather than crutches. Focusing on skill development implies that the person engages with the design conditions in order to learn how, what, and why to do something autonomously (without prolonged reliance on the design). The presentation includes an overview of the service ecology, user assessment, and specific design objectives for moving forward with creating a prototype and working demonstration. All material is copyright 2010. Please contact the manager of the slideshare account for questions and permissions.

1. Backpacking Europe
What Outcomes
An iPhone app to help travelers plan for and •The ability to pick your best option according
travel through Europe. The app will show the to many different factors (price, duration, social
ups & downs of each means of transportation, vs. isolated, etc)
attraction, and accommodation, will facilitate •Confidence in completely new situations
socialization, and teach you how to make the •Way finding in a foreign language and culture
most out of your trip through each choice you •The ability to get the most out of a situation
make. for the least amount of money
•Social interaction among like-minded travelers
and (willing) locals

2. Backpacking Europe
Similar Apps

3. Backpacking Europe
ON ATTRACTIONS
PREPARATION TRAVELING ACCOMODATION ATTRACTIONS
BUDGET BEST FIT FOR YOUR BUDGET
PASSPORT PLANE BEST FIT FOR YOUR BUDGET BEST FIT FOR YOUR BUDGET
1 Complete Application 1 Hunt for deals online 1 Hostels 1 Cost
1 Cost 2 Proof of US Citizenship
3 Identification
2 Find transportation to airport
3 Arrive early to go through security
2 Hotels
3 Couch surfing
2 Duration
3 Touristy vs. local
2 Duration 4 Go to post office
5 Get picture taken
4 Friends/family 4 Distance
6 Pay Fee
3 Touristy vs. local 7 Wait up to 4 weeks TO ACCOMODATION
RESERVATIONS LEARN
4 Distance 1 Know the address of your
accomodation 1 Use online reservations 1 Learn the tourist traps and how to get the
2 Use online & print resources to find the best most for your money
VISA 2 Use online reservations
means of transport 3 Contact & confirm length of stay
Metro
1 For a trip more than 90 days 4 Contact & confirm length of stay
Bus
2 Fill out application & gather documents Shuttle
3 Visit the embassy for that country Car & beyond...
LEARN
NS LEARN MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES
1 Ups & downs of each type of accomodation
(i.e. pay extra for sheets and towels in a hostel
1 Plan expeditures vs. expensive but all-inclusive hotel).
1 Cost
2 Decide how to obtain money abroad 2 Time
1 Learn the tourist traps and how to get the 3 Trips & tricks (i.e. need passport to ride?)
most for your money
GEAR
stay
SERVICE ECOLOGY
LEARN
1 Research weather during stay
1 How to navigate a foreign country where
stay
2 Research and purchase a quality backpack
2 Pack, unpack, & pack again to eliminate un- English is not the first language.
necessary items 2 $ Pitfalls at airports
EMERGENCY
BACKPACKING EUROPE
RESERVATIONS
1 Plan ahead and reserve things in advance,
(i.e. planes, hotels, trains) LEARN
1 Where to turn when you’re alone in a foreign
country & don’t know the language
LEARN
f accomodation 1 How to travel smart & little known items to
wels in a hostel bring (and leave out)
otel).

4. Backpacking Europe
TRAVELING
PLANNING TRAVELING
PLANE PASSPORT PLANE
1 gather required 1 travel to airport
documents 2 check-in bags
1 travel to airport 2 travel to the post office
3 wait in line
3 go through security
4 find gate
2 check-in bags 4 get picture taken
5 fill out forms
5 wait for plane
6 board plane
6 mail in forms 7 exit plane
3 go through security 8 go through cutoms
4 find gate
TRANSPORTATION
5 wait for plane
GEAR
1 research gear 1 go to transportation
6 board plane 2 travel to store (real life, virtual)
3 purchase
website/office
2 select fare
7 exit plane
3 purchase ticket
4 board transportation
8 go through cutoms PACK
ACCOMODATION
1 plan/pick-out clothing
2 travel to store (real life, virtual)
3 purchase
1 check-in
2 lock-up personal belongings
3 rent sheets/towels
ACTIVITY MAP
TRANSPORTATION
PLANE
ATTRACTIONS BACKPACKING EUROPE
1 research plane tickets online
2 purchase plane ticket 1 research attractions
2 find location with transportation
1 go to transportation
virtual) website/office HOTEL
FOOD
2 select fare 1 research accommodations
2 book accommodation 1 find/travel to restaurant/grocery
3 purchase ticket store
2 purchase food
4 board transportation
ACCOMODATION

5. Backpacking Europe
S PEOPLE
ORUMS ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORTATION + word of mouth
+ share experiences
tricks from expe- + couch surfing- provides + train: book online + personal, face-to-face
velers free accommodation on the
WEBSITES
+ bus: find routes in the PEOPLE
and not to bring, couch of a local of the coun- country, how to get to & + word of mouth
try, someone to show you FORUMS
from places
ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORTATION
+ share experiences
specific questions around, give you tips and insideexpe-
+
the tricks from
rienced travelers free accommodation on the routes in the the
+ metro: find + bus: find routes in
+ couch surfing- provides + train: book online + personal, face-to-face
scoop + what to and not to bring,
gear, etc try, someone to how
country,show you to getplaces & get to &
couch of a local of the coun-
from to
country, how to
+ hostels- cheapcan ask specificto
+
places questions from places
around, give you the inside
scoop
+ metro: find routes in the
country, how to get to &
stay, venue to meet new + + other forms
hostels- cheap places to
stay, venue to meet new
from places
+ other forms
people, learn tips and tricks people, learn tips and tricks
from experienced travelers,
from experienced travelers, ratings and reviews
ratings and reviews
PRINT
SERVICE ECOLOGY
BOOKS MAPS BACKPACKING EUROPE
+ places off the beaten path + physicality of locating and
SERVICE ECOLOGY
+ what to expect planning a trip through many
+ ways of getting around countries
BOOKS MAPS BACKPACKING EUROPE
ff the beaten path + physicality of locating and
expect planning a trip through many

6. Backpacking Europe
Storyboard
1 2 3
Chip is deciding what backpack would be best to bring. Chip is deciding how much he should pack Chip doesn’t know what documents he needs for his trip
4 5 6
Chip just landed and doesn’t know how to get to his hostel. Chip wants to learn venues to meet other travelers. Chip wants to learn the cheapest and fastest way to get to Berlin.

7. Backpacking Europe
Audience Travelers (younger, mainly novice, but also could work for seasoned)
Ethnography
James “Yeah I have [used online re- Helen “Oh usually I just wanted around
sources when traveling], I make some plans. downtown and go in places that look
Generally I’m looking for a specific thing interesting..”
cause I have something in mind, but I’m not
going to go to the town’s website.”