Interactive Design: Playing with Satellites

When considering user centered design and interactive websites I would have to say that while it may not be the most exciting site out there, google maps is my favorite website. I use it to find out the location to a new destination, what’s in any given area, plotting directions, the general geographic layout of a place and even to see “street view” photos of an area. If I want to find out about a new raw vegan café for example I can just do a vague search of the name of the café and the city that its in and a bunch of options will come up, its usually one of the top three. Then when you click on the desired place a window will pop up on the location with the business information: phone number, address and link to the website. There is even an option to get directions to and from there.

My favorite part is the interactive map that, unlike mapquest, can be easily manipulated to zoom in or out and pan in any two-dimensional direction. I also appreciate its utilitarian design that clearly offers the tools for the user to use without potentially confusing or frivolous “flare” to get in the way. The layout it very simple, an intention that I think google’s creators hold to allow any person young or old, tech savvy or not to utilize these tools, literally bringing global geographic awareness to every user. You got your search bar at the top then your results column below it on the left and the large interactive map to the right. The map gives as much information it can. All streets, parks and major attractions are named, when you zoom in enough you can even see grey blocks that accurately indicate buildings. I often use google maps to figure out the closets subway stops to take from a point. You can click on the blue “M” indicating a stop and a window will pop up depicting the trains that stop there. If you want to scope out a new business, get directions, or just learn a new place, get on the google maps and sync up with the knowledge of the satellites.