Traverse

Traverse is a platform that makes listening physical. Sensors in AR-enhanced audio wearables incorporate a listener’s movements through a sound-scape delivering a unique audio experience.

Traverse launched with two experiences, “From Elvis in Memphis” and “The Arm of Insight.” Listeners could walk through a recording room and singalong with Elvis or help the Martian lander InSight complete its mission during a blinding sandstorm. Traverse won the “Future of Experience” Award at SXSW 2019.

Client: Superbright, in collaboration with Vrai Pictures

UX Designer

I worked with the producers to finalize the storyline of each experience and created detailed ux flows for the engineers to work off of. There were many places where technical errors could interrupt the experience (e.g. device connection, low lighting, poor calibration), and I made sure to identify these potential pain points and create ways for users to resolve these issues quickly.

Traverse also presented an interesting challenge because the app had to be mapped to a user’s physical space, much like in virtual reality systems. We tested and iterated on the calibration process in order to make it as easy as possible for users. In the end they simply needed to walk forward until the app told them to stop to define the radius of their space.