First designs

In our fifth episode, let’s lift the veil on a crucial stage in the creation of “ Genius Loci »: interface design. And what better tool for this than Figma?

From the start, " Genius Loci » wanted to be different. We didn't want to just create another app, but rather an immersive experience for users. This idea quickly translated into our first models.

Imagine another approach than Wikipedia

With Figma, we were able to visualize and test our ideas in real time, allowing us to immediately see what was working and what needed adjustments.

When we started working on the first views of the app, it was clear that we wanted to avoid looking like another Wikipedia. We wanted “ Genius Loci » is visually rich, with a large background image illustrating each location. Our first prototypes even featured a version of the logo that had a strong Roman influence. Although the concept has evolved since then, the essence has remained the same: highlighting the localized side of places with details such as coordinates.

The right flow

But with any design, there are challenges. One of the main concerns was how to structure the content. We wanted an interface that encouraged discovery to be too much. Figma allowed us to experiment with different flows until we found the one that felt most intuitive.

The secrets of the places

We also introduced the idea of ​​“ secrets » content, little nuggets of information that tell the story of a place. Each "secret" would be written by a "Genius", a sort of local ambassador, and users could also add their own stories. However, after some testing, we realized that this feature could be simplified to focus more on the main Genius story, while still allowing for feedback.

This design process, although demanding, was incredibly rewarding. Every decision, every change was focused on creating an unparalleled user experience. The interface has evolved a lot since our first ideas, but with Figma, we were able to visualize these developments at each stage.

Take care of accessibility and readability

Julien, in particular, brought innovative ideas, such as switching from a black background to a white background for better readability outdoors. He also proposed the idea of ​​changing the wallpaper with each new "secret" discovered, which added visual dynamics to the experience.

Ultimately, using Figma to design “ Genius Loci was not just a technical choice, but a decision that shaped how we approached the project as a whole. This allowed us to iterate quickly, test ideas and get immediate feedback, which brought us closer to our final vision.

As we conclude this episode, we would like to emphasize that “ Genius Loci » is much more than just an application. It is the product of our passion for heritage, fused with cutting-edge technology, all designed with care.

Thank you for accompanying us on this journey of discovery and design.

Stay tuned for the rest of our adventures with “ Genius Loci "!