CityConnect

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Meetup & Connect

Ideation

For college students and friend groups who want an easier way to meet up without all the texting and confusion, CityConnect is a mobile app that lets users drop a shared beacon, invite friends with a link, and get walking directions to their beacon that fit their needs whether that’s the fastest, quietest, or most accessible route. As friends arrive they can check in so that everyone knows who’s there without constant messages or tracking. Unlike apps like Find My or group chats, CityConnect keeps things simple, temporary, and focused on the meetup itself so connecting with friends is easy and natural.

Low Fidelity Wireframes

App Icons

Type Hierarchy

Audience

CityConnect is for everyone, but mainly focused toward college students navigating social meetups, clubs/friend groups that have recurring picnics, runs, hangouts, and people looking to explore the city

The Problem

Nonstop texting and confusion (“Where are you??”)
Existing navigation apps are made for solo travel, not group movement
Current apps don’t let users label or structure meetups
Large crowds block landmarks creating confusion

Research

I Interviewed:

Northeastern Students
People visiting Boston Common
Friends who hang out near Back Bay, The Charles, Boston Common

Austin: mid 20s – came with friends

Elijah: college student – first time at the event

Vanshika: early 20s – came with her friend group

All three described some type of navigation difficulty, separation, or confusion inside the Commons

Tasks

1. Create a Beacon (meetup point + time + visibility)

2. Join a Beacon (see live directions + group ETA)

3. Explore curated locations in Boston

4. Navigate to a destination with group visibility

5. Save favorite places for later

View Final Prototype