SwipyCampus

1. Prototype Link

(Please submit a link to a playable prototype, not a link to your design file):
Figma Link

2. Describe your project (max 150 words)

For many students, navigating campus is an inefficient and frustrating experience. Finding an open building entrance often involves trial and error, and discovering an ideal study space requires guesswork. Students waste valuable time swiping at locked doors, searching for available spots, and struggling to access real-time information about their campus.

So, how might we help students navigate campus more efficiently by providing real-time access updates and personalized study space recommendations?

SwipyCampus is a mobile application that allows students to check live door access based on their ID type and receive AI-powered study spot recommendations tailored to their preferences. By integrating real-time campus data with a user-friendly interface, SwipyCampus helps students quickly find accessible entrances, track when doors open or close, and discover the best study environments based on noise level, lighting, and crowd density. With SwipyCampus, students can move through campus seamlessly and focus on what matters most.

3. Describe your research process and findings (max 500 words)

To understand the challenges students face when navigating campus buildings and finding study spaces, we conducted mixed‐method research combining surveys, interviews, and secondary research. We aimed to identify key pain points, validate the need for a real‐time campus navigation tool, and refine SwipyCampus’s features based on student experiences.

Survey and quantitative research

We distributed a Google Form survey through Discord, college GroupMe chats, and Reddit, gathering over 10 responses. The survey measured:

Frequency of access issues due to locked doors
Time wasted attempting to enter buildings
Strategies used to find open entrances
Challenges in locating study spaces
Preferred features in a campus navigation tool

Google Form Survey

Key findings:

72.7% of respondents reported difficulty accessing buildings due to restricted door access, often resorting to trial and error or waiting for someone to open doors.
90% of students wasted 5–15 minutes weekly due to ID card issues.
Many students lacked a clear method to check study space availability, with some walking around campus only to settle in areas with no outlets or uncomfortable seating.
Real‐time door updates and AI‐powered study spot recommendations were the most valuable features.

Qualitative interviews and insights

To gain deeper insights, we conducted one-on-one interviews with students who frequently experience access and study space challenges. Some key takeaways included:

“It was night, and I wanted to do some studying in a place that was not distracting and I didn't have to pay to access. I went over, taking 20 minutes in -30°C weather, and found the doors locked. I went to the gas station and bought a bag of Takis and went home and watched TV instead. Still aced that test.”

“Fondy sometimes is full and there are no study rooms or spots to sit with a group, as well as places that tend to be full like Brochstein, Sammy’s, Chaus, and other areas. Because of this, I had to find other areas that don’t have access to outlets or comfortable seating.”

“Sometimes I panic when the main entrance is locked, and I don’t know if there’s another way in. It makes me late to class.”

These responses highlighted a clear need for a system that provides live campus access updates and study space recommendations based on user preferences.

Secondary research and competitive analysis

We reviewed campus navigation and facility management tools and found most lacked:

Real‐time access updates linked to university ID permissions
AI‐powered, personalized study space recommendations
Community‐driven updates to ensure current access information

This gap reinforced SwipyCampus’s value as a student‐focused, AI‐driven tool that integrates access updates, study space recommendations, and personalized routing.

Impact on SwipyCampus design

Based on findings, we prioritized:

A color‐coded entrance system (Green = Open, Yellow = Scheduled Closed, Red = No ID)
AI‐powered study spot recommendations based on noise, lighting, and seating
A student‐driven update system to ensure accurate, real‐time access reports

By grounding SwipyCampus in student research, we designed an intuitive and effective tool that directly addresses campus accessibility challenges.

4. Describe your most important design decisions (max 500 words)

Early idea pivoting: focusing on a real problem

During our early brainstorming, we explored how AI can transform everyday experiences—from supporting mental health to enhancing connections—but quickly found these ideas too abstract for a specific challenge. Our initial concepts struggled because they didn't tackle an everyday problem. We then shifted our focus to a common issue many students face: not knowing which buildings are accessible at specific times and finding available study spaces. This practical problem resonated with our team and potential users, leading us to develop SwipyCampus.

Creating a dynamic mascot: Swipy

One of our most defining decisions was transforming Swipy from a static feature into a lively mascot. Modeled after a student ID card, Swipy actively assists students by providing real-time, color-coded access information in a relatable manner. For example, when approaching a building, Swipy’s expressions and mood indicators communicate the entry status without requiring users to sift through text. This approach streamlines the experience and turns the interaction into a friendly conversation—Swipy can offer tips or suggest alternative entrances when needed, making campus navigation more engaging and efficient.

To complement Swipy’s personality, we opted for a clean, soft visual design free of unnecessary distractions. Unlike many apps that overwhelm users with notifications and complex UI elements, our design focuses on the essentials—door access status and study spot recommendations. This minimalist approach reduces cognitive overload and ensures the most important information is immediately accessible.

Integrating a conversational AI

Another key decision was integrating Swipy as an AI chatbot, elevating it beyond a passive mascot to an interactive companion. Instead of forcing users to manually navigate maps or lists, they can converse with Swipy naturally to find study spots matching their preferences. This conversational interface makes the experience feel personal and engaging, like chatting with a helpful friend. The subtle emotional cues and responsive suggestions add warmth to each interaction, helping users maintain a human touch in their digital experience.

Filling the gap in campus navigation

Our research revealed that existing map apps like Google Maps often fall short in delivering accurate, real-time campus-specific access information. Generic building schedules and unreliable updates lead to frustration when students encounter locked doors. SwipyCampus addresses this gap by directly integrating with university access policies and incorporating real-time student updates, ensuring that the information is both accurate and relevant to campus life.

Ensuring privacy and security

Since SwipyCampus handles sensitive access data, privacy and security were critical. We implemented robust school selection and student ID verification through manual input or scanning, ensuring only authorized users can access building information. By minimizing unnecessary data collection and focusing strictly on access-related functionality, we struck a balance between usability and privacy concerns.

By addressing a relatable problem with a friendly AI mascot, a clean interface, and robust functionality, SwipyCampus transforms the often frustrating experience of campus navigation into an engaging, efficient, and intuitive journey.