Getting Directions on Google Maps: Pattern & Flow.
A brief exploration of design pattern & flow illustrated by Google Maps case study.
What’s a design pattern?
A design pattern is a commonly used solution to a specific design problem. Design patterns are found throughout the industry in the form of reusable blueprints solving pre-established hurdles. Design patterns examples can be found in pattern libraries such as:
See below three alternatives of the “logging in” design pattern:
What’s a design flow?
A design flow is a designed path for the user to follow in order to complete the desired action.
Google Maps design pattern & flow
Google Maps has established itself as the main navigation tool on the internet. Google Maps is a web mapping service developed by Google that offers satellite imagery, aerial photos, street maps and 360° interactive panoramic views. The service allows users to examine real-time traffic conditions and plan journey by foot, bicycle, car, public transport and air.
When accessing Google Maps to get directions, usually someone has a destination or at least a type of destination in mind. Users are using Google Maps to reach a destination, to plan a journey or simply to learn how to reach a destination.
Google Maps does a great job at accompanying users during their search journey providing support with a suggestion drop-down menu that updates as the search specifies. Google Maps also offers suggestions of general categories such as “Groceries”,” Restaurants” or “Takeouts” guiding users to the acceptable search result to facilitate their navigations.
Google Maps design pattern are consistent and enhance comprehension by using a clear visual hierarchy, with emphasis put to the guiding function from the direction button to the way to destination highlighted in blue. The interface is busy yet very clear to understand.
Google is again making use of his primary colours scheme to create a simple yet effective information hierarchy.
Below I mapped Google Maps User Flow — illustrating two possible search journey:
From the User Flow above it is clear that the search journey is straight forwards with lots of help from the design of the interface. Users are not only accompanied by Google Maps during their initial search process but in case of failure, the Google Search platform becomes the way to refine the search and complete the task at hand.
