NEXUS

Overview

When I initiated NEXUS as the Lead Designer and Developer, current navigation tools were optimized for the "shortest path" but ignored the walker's "meaningful journey." Working across the full 0-1 lifecycle from conceptualization to functional deployment, I addressed a core tension: users often have vague emotional needs for their walks that standard GPS coordinates cannot fulfill. By the end of the project, I had engineered a context-aware system that translates subjective moods into objective routes, resulting in a functional AI-native platform that earned the WGA 2025 Gold Winner and was shortlisted for Prototypes for Humanity

Categories B2C, AI, Mobile App, Cross-platform, Navigation Experiences, Affective Computing Date Sep 2024 – May 2025 Role Product Designer, Full-Stack Developer

Solution

Feature 1.
Mood-Based Search and Interpretation

When you enter a vague input, like "cozy café with Wi-Fi," the system will use AI to interpret your request, matching it with relevant metadata. It will identify locations that fit your criteria based on the distance you want to walk. You can search, view personalized options and information, choose your mode of transportation, and adjust the walking duration.

Feature 2.
Theme-Driven Navigation

Simply input your desired destination, and the system will analyze the area to uncover the dominant theme based on your available exploration time. It intelligently assesses the surroundings and highlights the key attractions that align with the time you have for your adventure.

Feature 3.
Personalization through Feedback Loop

You can document your feelings during your journey or after your trip. You have the option to associate your feelings with specific locations, and once your trip is complete, you can choose to provide feedback and explanations. All of this will be recorded.

Not Just a Map. A Mirror of Your Feelings.

What stayed with me was the moment I analyzed early user interviews where participants struggled to name their destination, instead describing a "feeling" they wanted to find. Conventional design logic treats "vague input" as an error to be corrected. However, I realized that for urban exploration, these feelings are the destination. This insight led me to stop building a standard search bar and instead develop a Mood-based decomposition system. I moved from designing for "X-to-Y navigation" to designing for "emotional alignment." It taught me that the most powerful AI applications don't just provide answers; they interpret the unspoken nuances of human experience.

Vagueness is a signal, not a failure of intent.

Results

Prestigious Recognition

Secured the WGA 2025 Gold Winner, received the HMUI Grant, and was Shortlisted for Prototypes for Humanity.

Technical Achievement

Successfully engineered a functional, AI-powered platform from 0 to 1, including the development of a proprietary Mood-based search and Route-generation system.

Validating Emotional Alignment

User studies demonstrated a 30% reduction in perceived stress during walks and a 95% satisfaction rate for mood-based routing, showing that the design successfully aligned with a user's unstated emotional intent.