ParkEasy Athens was created to fulfill coursework requirements for the University of Georgia Emerging Media Capstone course, where students were tasked to identify a real-world challenge, then develop a solution using technology and emerging media. This project required students to research, plan, and develop their idea after brand development, wireframing, user testing, website/app development, and content design.
After the website/app was developed, ParkEasy Athens was presented to a group of peers at the New Media Institute EMERGE showcase to demonstrate its potential as a forward-thinking solution for smart parking technology. This presentation required the students to develop several marketing pieces and slide deck that required the skills of storytelling, videography, photo editing, visual design, and marketing strategy.
- Client/Purpose: University of Georgia – Emerging Media Capstone Project
- My Role: UX/UI Designer, Researcher, Brand Strategist
- Tools Used: Sketch, WordPress, MarvelApp, Adobe Creative Suite
- Date Created: Fall 2017
The Problem/Challenge:
Parking in downtown Athens, GA, is a well-known challenge for visitors and residents. With a lot of one-way streets and limited parking in general, when you add in outdated parking payment systems, the frustrations begin to build. The goal of this capstone project was to leverage emerging media to address real-world frustrations by delivering an innovative, user-centered solution that simplified parking, reduced municipal operational costs, and has opportunity for future growth.
The Solution:
ParkEasy Athens is a smart parking app designed to make parking stress-free, efficient, and enjoyable for visitors, residents, and municipalities alike. The app’s user-centered design, branding, and features were driven by UX research, ensuring a calming, modern, and intuitive experience.
Key features include:
- Find Parking: Locate available metered spots with real-time updates and deck options thanks to modern bluetooth enabled meters with proximity censors.
- Refill Your Meter: Remotely extend parking time without having to revisit the meter directly.
- Cost Comparison: Easily compare deck and metered parking rates to save time and money.
- Pay Online: Conveniently pay fines or manage deck passes through the app.
- Locate Vehicle: The app can help you locate your vehicle by providing directions to the meter you parked in front of.
- Free Parking Options: Partnered businesses can offer complimentary parking via quick ad-viewing.
The Outcome:
- Proven Technology: Research confirmed the feasibility of using Bluetooth-enabled meters and proximity sensors, validating the app’s smart parking capabilities.
- Seamless User Experience: Features like remote meter refills, cost comparisons, and vehicle tracking directly address user frustrations, making parking stress-free.
- User-Driven Branding: Surveys and testing led to the rebrand from Parking Wizard to ParkEasy Athens, with a modern logo and calming color palette that resonated with users.
- Competitive Advantage: As a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for parking management, the app’s unique features—like local advertising partnerships—provide funding opportunities and set it apart from competitors.
- Community Impact: ParkEasy Athens promotes downtown visits, supports local businesses, and boosts economic growth.