Nicholas Palomino

Torii Tour is a gamified map of Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles. Providing detailed directions to products or services within Little Tokyo utilizing AR. As well as giving users the opportunity to use the games within the app to earn coupons or discounts at local stores. Creating a more enjoyable experience for visitors to Little Tokyo.

Little Tokyo is a history and culturally rich area of Downtown Los Angeles. However, there is seemingly a lack individuality amongst the buildings. Resulting in many visitors getting lost, or have no clue where they are going. Despite having so much history, it goes mostly unnoticed.

‍While gathering our research we learned that many visitors and potential visitors of Little Tokyo were often too worried about what to do at Little Tokyo. “I didn’t know where to start” one user told us as a reason for never being to Little Tokyo. Some interviewees also expressed their concerns with navigation itself, because parking is such an issue for the area many visitors have to park far away. Leading to many issues meeting up with friends and finding their destination.

Torii Tour is a new fun and engaging navigation app. Allowing users to locate stores and even specific items within Little Tokyo. Having engaging features like "I'm Feeling Lucky" where users are randomly given a location based on their preferences. As well as giving users the opportunity to earn coupons by playing the game in the app.

An academic project done in collaboration with MaCher, a sustainable product design company and certified B Corporation, in a competition against our classmates. Where our team were tasked to reimagine MaCher's gadget case; one of five key products that MaCher provides for their clients. We were also required to create a digital companion to accompany the physical product. Our team redesigned the gadget case into more of a gadget bag. What we called "The Wander Bag" designed with removable inserts that allow for adaptive storage and multiple configurations to wear or carry the bag. The digital companion the "Wander Wiz" is an SMS-based digital concierge. Assisting the user through any questions, problems, or even recommendations. Where our team won the competition between our classmates and were able to work with MaCher further. Creating spec sheets to get official product samples of our gadget bag from their manufacture.

The problem our team aimed to solve was for student travelers, providing them with a versatile gadget case that could be used for a myriad of purposes on their trip. With the digital companion making the pre, post and during trip activities more enjoyable. Over the course of the project we faced a myriad of challenges, from strict design constraints, cost management, environmental and sustainability concerns, and a few patent concerns.

Through our research and user interviews, our team gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals using traditional gadget cases. We found that a common frustration revolves around the lack of adaptability in storing and organizing tech essentials. Students then expressed the desire for adaptability in use.

For the physical product our solution was “The Wanderer Gadget Bag”. A versatile modular case with removable organizing inserts that easily transforms the standard gadget case into the wanderer, a perfect travel companion for student travelers. The digital companion solution was the “Wander Wiz”. An SMS-based digital concierge that aided the user through any pre-trip planning, providing recommendations for activities on their trip, and engaging with users after their trip by recommending similar experiences the user can attend at home.