How Can We Re-Imagine Wilderness Navigation?

4 Weeks | 150 Hours | 2023

Skills | User Research, User Experience, Iteration, Ergonomics

Software | Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Suite

How Can We Re-Imagine Wilderness Navigation?

4 Weeks | 150 Hours | 2023

Skills | User Research, User Experience, Iteration, Ergonomics

Software | Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Suite

Off-Trail Hiking (Bushwacking) Is Hard To Get Into

Off-Trail Hiking (Bushwacking) Is Hard To Get Into

A niche sport that's become more popular recently, bushwhacking is the act of navigating and hiking through unmarked/unrouted terrain and ecosystems.


It's not really easy to start however.

A niche sport that's become more popular recently, bushwhacking is the act of navigating and hiking through unmarked/unrouted terrain and ecosystems.


It's not really easy to start however.

Head-Down Loop

Head-Down Loop

Navigation can quickly become frustrating when users have to repeatedly look down to check a map or GPS device to make sure, they're on track.

Navigation can quickly become frustrating when users have to repeatedly look down to check a map or GPS device to make sure, they're on track.

Sparse Community

Sparse Community

Bushwhacking is pretty disjointed; you'd need to find people in person or scrub through various niche forums to get practical advice on how to start.

Bushwhacking is pretty disjointed; you'd need to find people in person or scrub through various niche forums to get practical advice on how to start.

Dated Gear

Dated Gear

Wayfinding technology isn't very optimized for an intuitive user flow. They can be pretty confusing to use especially for a beginner.

Wayfinding technology isn't very optimized for an intuitive user flow. They can be pretty confusing to use especially for a beginner.

Design Criteria

Design Criteria

Engage

Can we use other senses to create a more intuitive experience?

Can we use other senses to create a more intuitive experience?

Comfort

Can we provide the user with more confidence in their direction?

Can we provide the user with more confidence in their direction?

Guide

Plain and simple, how do we point the way?

Plain and simple, how do we point the way?

Defining The Direction Through Acting Out User Flow

Defining The Direction Through Acting Out User Flow

Interaction testing was prioritized using abstract physical forms to identify our final concept direction. We picked glasses as it was a hands free solution and solved the head down loop.

Interaction testing was prioritized using abstract physical forms to identify our final concept direction. We picked glasses as it was a hands free solution and solved the head down loop.

A Cross Between Safety Goggles and Sports Glasses

A Cross Between Safety Goggles and Sports Glasses

Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.

Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.

Iterating on Final Form Through Sketching and CAD

Iterating on Final Form Through Sketching and CAD

Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.

Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.

Multi-Sensory Functional Prototype with Motion Tracking

Multi-Sensory Functional Prototype with Motion Tracking

We created a works-like model and experience, pairing both visual AND auditory input by mapping custom sound effects in 3D space.

We created a works-like model and experience, pairing both visual AND auditory input by mapping custom sound effects in 3D space.

HORIZON

sorry, not optimized for small windows,

try going full screen.

sorry, not optimized for large windows,

try going smaller.

Hingeless Design To Communicate Reliability

Hingeless Design To Communicate Reliability

Hinges were replaced with a continuous titanium spine.

This structure provided strength, lightness, and comfort.

Hinges were replaced with a continuous titanium spine.

This structure provided strength, lightness, and comfort.

Form Language Blends Approachability and Fashion

Form Language Blends Approachability and Fashion

Horizon balances practical function with high-speed aesthetics using a frameless, edge-to-edge lens.

Color accents highlight key touchpoints to bridge the gap between fashion and technology.

Horizon balances practical function with high-speed aesthetics using a frameless, edge-to-edge lens.

Color accents highlight key touchpoints to bridge the gap between fashion and technology.

Motion + Spacial Tracking Creates Intuitive Navigation

Motion + Spacial Tracking Creates Intuitive Navigation

Active Search mode guides users through peripheral light and 3D spatial audio. A physical notch on the right temple toggles the navigation system.

Active Search mode guides users through peripheral light and 3D spatial audio. A physical notch on the right temple toggles the navigation system.

Off-Route Alert to Encourage Confidence During Exploration

Off-Route Alert to Encourage Confidence During Exploration

Horizon triggers auditory and visual alerts when users veer off-route. A green flash and positive sound confirm return to the preset path.

Horizon triggers auditory and visual alerts when users veer off-route. A green flash and positive sound confirm return to the preset path.

Conscious Speaker Placement

Conscious Speaker Placement

On-board speakers are positioned right above the ears to ensure clear audio in dense environments

On-board speakers are positioned right above the ears to ensure clear audio in dense environments

Marker Button and Tactile Route Info Browsing Dial

Marker Button and Tactile Route Info Browsing Dial

Route creation establishes waypoints to monitor distance and duration. Custom waypoints track specific destinations. A rotary dial facilitates browsing between markers. The left-side marker button saves current positions and points of interest for future review.

Route creation establishes waypoints to monitor distance and duration. Custom waypoints track specific destinations. A rotary dial facilitates browsing between markers. The left-side marker button saves current positions and points of interest for future review.

Blue Dots Indicate Browsing

Blue Dots Indicate Browsing

The light turns to smaller blue colored dots when switching between different route waypoints.

The light turns to smaller blue colored dots when switching between different route waypoints.

Dawn, Dusk, Midnight

Dawn, Dusk, Midnight

CMF color options for personalization.

CMF color options for personalization.

Downloading Offline Data Cache Through Community Based Web Services

Downloading Offline Data Cache Through Community Based Web Services

Our concept website/broader company Meridian.com facilitates route creation and community sharing. Completed routes download to the charging case for offline caching.

Our concept website/broader company Meridian.com facilitates route creation and community sharing. Completed routes download to the charging case for offline caching.

Testing Out The User Flow Through Narrative Video

Testing Out The User Flow Through Narrative Video

A short narrative video visualized the user journey and interaction steps.

A short narrative video visualized the user journey and interaction steps.

© 2026 mo shameer | industrial designer | all rights reserved