UX Design Students Develop App Prototype for Easier Campus Navigation

PhotoA screenshot of the CampusNav app prototype.
CampusNav, an app prototype developed by a UX Design student team, helps Columbia College Chicago students navigate campus and access key resources.

Columbia College Chicago students now have a smarter way to navigate campus—at least in prototype form. CampusNav, a mobile app concept, was developed by a nine-student team for INMD 260 Design Team: Methods, taught by Jo-Nell Sieren. Designed to streamline the student experience, the CampusNav prototype simplifies navigation across the college’s dynamic urban campus and centralizes essential resources such as academic events, career advising, and study spaces. Additionally, it features a campus security function to enhance students' safety and confidence.

The team, consisting of Aaron Sirico, Areanna Whittington, Caishu Hu, Gabrielle Vidal, Jennifer Nelli, Leah Camacho, Namuun Enkhtaivan, Ryan Walker, Taiwo Ayedun, and Will Dunn, was inspired to spearhead the CampusNav project after noticing that many new and returning students struggled to find their way through Columbia’s historic buildings and access vital campus information. The team envisioned a user-friendly solution to address these challenges and enhance day-to-day campus life. The team conceptualized features tailored to Columbia’s unique student community:

  • Interactive campus maps: Helps user navigate Columbia’s complex and historic buildings with ease.
  • Heat map for quiet study spots: Displays real-time crowd density to help students find quiet areas for focused work.
  • Event and resource hub: Centralizes academic events, career services, and campus resources into one accessible platform.
  • Campus safety and security call feature: Allows users to request help and track the ETA of security personnel in emergencies, with non-emergency support available via a 24/7 helpline or report center.

Creating the CampusNav prototype was both a challenging and rewarding project for the team. Through hands-on research, design, and testing, they gained invaluable experience in UX design and project management.

“CampusNav was an incredible opportunity for these talented designers and creators in the program. It was a truly immersive experience,” says Leah Camacho, one of the students on the team. “Learning important lessons and gaining valuable insights in a unique team setting, we were all so excited to work and share this concept.”

Camacho credits much of the team’s success to their mentor, Jo-Nell Sieren, whose guidance helped them navigate challenges and achieve their vision.

Although CampusNav is not yet a downloadable app, it represents the kind of innovative and collaborative work students at Columbia College Chicago produce. The project showcases their ability to tackle real-world problems with creative solutions while gaining hands-on experience in their field.

Recent News