Urban Archive 1.0: The Design
A few days ago, Urban Archive released version 1.0 to the App Store! This is our largest app update thus far and a build that we have been working on for months.
We now have over 38,000 historical assets from 20 institutional partners live in the app. These assets, most of which are historical photographs, are easier to discover and explore with the new version.
Here are a few screen grabs of the latest build:
Our goal with this version of Urban Archive was to create a more map-centric experience. Our users are interested in discovering nearby locations when they open the app, so we created a home screen that places them on a map full of historic content. By bringing the map to as many screens as possible, users can more easily visualize the transformation of the cityscape, adding a rich new perspective on how New York has developed over time.
The Navigation
We have struggled with the navigation design from the beginning. In previous versions, we used a typical tab bar navigation seen in most apps. But it just wasn’t working for us. We found it hard to group features under icons or one-word titles, and we ended up nesting sections within sections. As it became more layered, the app became challenging to navigate.
Our ultimate goal was to create a simple navigation that was easily accessible and more user-friendly, but also able to disappear when not in use. Using actionable words for the nav titles created a clear and inviting method that encourages users to explore the app further. We still have work to do, but we’re getting closer.
Discovering Content
Our content team and institutional partners are producing new content daily, and previous versions of the app lacked the means to surface and highlight this interesting new material. Featured content, such as walking tours and curated lists, is now presented within the app’s navigation so that it is one of the first things that users encounter when they open the app. This is a small first step in making curated content more visible. In the future, we plan on tailoring our richly curated posts, walks, and collections to a user’s interests and locations. [Hint: User Accounts]
Color
Everyone here at Urban Archive was relieved when color started appearing in some of the templates. We knew that if we started with simple, clean, monotone templates that the day would come when injecting bits of color would be appropriate and welcomed. Some of the colors still need to be adjusted for legibility purposes, but it’s a start. As one of our wittier users stated about the purple location pins covering the city: “It does seem to me when opening the app that the first map is covered with more purple than a Prince [outfit]” -UA user, Rick C.
Location Pages
In previous versions, a peek view on the map showed a small thumbnail image of the location. If a user clicked into a location page, they were required to return to the map to continue exploring. By keeping the map visible and navigable in the new version, users can quickly jump between selected pins while simultaneously seeing full-size images of the location. Cutting out this extra step in the navigation flow makes it easier for users to explore the locations around them.
Another new feature on the location page is the way that we highlight content tied to a location. In the the new version, users can jump to a historical New Yorker’s profile directly from a location page. They can see how illustrious and infamous New Yorkers interacted with locations all around the city. Now, when a user walks past the Washington Square Arch, they can learn about Jane Jacob’s efforts to prevent Robert Moses from constructing a highway through the heart of the park.
Soon, users will also be able to navigate to thematic collections and self-guided walks attached to a particular location. Think of these features as the Urban Archive version of the Wikipedia spiral, allowing users to dive into the amazing NYC stories told on the platform.
Please let us know if you have any thoughts or feedback on the new build. Email us at feedback@urbanarchive.nyc
Next up on the Urban Archive.
User Accounts / Settings Update
Audio Update
Pin Clustering
Search!
Stay Tuned…
