Constellations

Constellations maps UniMelb through student memories, pin moments, compare past and present, and preserve the culture behind every place.

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Inspiration

Constellations was inspired by the idea that university is more than just physical spaces, it is shaped by the memories and experiences tied to those places. At UniMelb, locations constantly evolve, but the cultural and personal significance behind them is often lost. We wanted to create a way to preserve these moments, allowing students to document and revisit what different places meant over time.

What it does

Constellations is an interactive map of the University of Melbourne where users can create pins linked to specific locations. Each pin allows users to upload images, add captions, and document experiences. Pins are stored in a database on the cloud, and created pins are accessible publicly. By supporting both past and present content, the platform enables users to see how locations have changed over time, turning the campus into a living archive of student culture.

How we built it

We built Constellations as a web application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the frontend, focusing on a clean and intuitive user interface. Firebase was used to handle data storage and real-time updates, allowing user-generated content such as pins and entries to be dynamically managed. We also integrated Cloudinary to efficiently store and deliver images, ensuring fast loading and scalable media handling. Together, these technologies allowed us to create a responsive and interactive platform.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was structuring the data in a way that could support multiple entries per location while remaining easy to manage. We also faced challenges in balancing functionality with simplicity, ensuring the platform was feature-rich without becoming overwhelming. Additionally, sourcing appropriate images while considering copyright and ethical use was an important constraint.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of creating a concept that goes beyond a traditional map by incorporating cultural preservation. The ability to link past and present content within a single location adds depth to the user experience. We also successfully developed a clean and functional interface that makes the platform easy to use whilst still demonstrating a meaningful idea.

What we learned

Through this project, we learned the importance of user-centered design and structuring data effectively for scalability. We also gained experience in balancing technical implementation with conceptual clarity. Additionally, we developed a stronger understanding of ethical considerations, particularly around content usage and representation.

What’s next for Constellations

Looking ahead, we plan to improve content quality by implementing moderation systems that can automatically detect and remove irrelevant or inappropriate posts. This will ensure that Constellations remains meaningful and reliable as more users contribute.

We also aim to expand the platform beyond the University of Melbourne, allowing Constellations to cover a larger geographic area, such as the entire city of Melbourne. By doing so, the platform can evolve from a campus-based archive into a broader cultural map, capturing stories and experiences across different communities and locations.

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