Overview
Role
Product Designer
Industry / Product
Mobile AR Prototyping
Team
3 Product Designers
Navigating unfamiliar environments can be overwhelming for individuals on the autism spectrum, often limiting independence and increasing anxiety.
Most mainstream navigation tools assume a single cognitive model — abstract directions, dense visual information, and constant re-routing — which can be difficult to process for neurodivergent users.
ClearPath is an exploration of how accessibility-first design and augmented reality can support safer, more confident navigation experiences.
Ever felt lost or overwhelmed in a new place? Imagine living in a world where stepping outside feels like a maze.
Individuals with autism often struggle with:
Abstract navigation cues (cardinal directions, distance-based instructions)
Information overload during wayfinding
Anxiety caused by unexpected changes or unclear routes
These challenges can significantly reduce independence and willingness to navigate public spaces alone.
"Adults with autism have talked or written about how they have a lot of fear of getting lost...They don’t see the world in the same way that other people do. That can make navigation hard." - Julie Irish, an interior designer and Ph.D. graduate of the University of Minnesota’s College of Design
How might we design a navigation experience that:
Reduces cognitive and sensory overload
Supports consistency and predictability
Helps users build confidence and independence over time
My Role & Design Process
This was a team-based project. I contributed across:
User research and interview synthesis
Interaction design and prototyping
Accessibility-informed visual design
Iterative testing and refinement
Research and interviews with our target audience highlighted the importance of creating a more inclusive system. Researchers have observed that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encounter challenges in daily navigation, struggling to navigate effectively when faced with alterations or obstructions along familiar routes.
Key Design Decisions
1. Reduce abstraction
Instead of relying on traditional map views, the experience emphasizes visual and audio cues anchored to the real environment.
2. Chunk information
Navigation guidance is delivered in small, sequential steps to avoid overstimulation.
3. Prioritize predictability over flexibility
The design favors consistent flows, repeatable patterns, and memory recall.
ClearPath was designed using accessibility-informed principles, particularly for cognitive and sensory accessibility:
High-contrast color combinations (contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1) to improve legibility
Calm, muted color palettes to reduce sensory fatigue
Minimal visual clutter during navigation - Glassmorphism, using a light and relaxed aesthetic to reduce visual strain and improve the overall user experience.
Optional customization of sensory inputs (e.g., visual intensity, audio cues)
While this was not a production system evaluated against formal WCAG conformance levels, accessibility guidelines were used as design heuristics throughout the process.
Solution
In concept testing:
A majority of participants expressed strong interest in using a tool like ClearPath
Users reported feeling more confident navigating unfamiliar spaces
The AR-based cues were perceived as more intuitive than traditional map-based directions
Made two crucial iterations that made the application more accessible
ClearPath was evaluated through usability testing with individuals on the autism spectrum and expert consultation.
• 70% of participants reported increased confidence navigating unfamiliar environments using AR guidance
• Participants showed fewer navigation hesitations compared to traditional map-based navigation
• Users preferred route-based AR cues and landmarks over abstract directional instructions
• Design decisions emphasizing consistency, reduced sensory load, and predictability were positively received
Hear it from one of the participant:
“You’re telling me, this app right here can like tell when there’s no cars and tell you to go? This is like something out of Harry Potter! Wow this is cool! ”
This project reinforced that accessibility is not about adding features, it’s about removing friction. Designing for neurodivergent users requires intentional simplicity, predictable patterns, and empathy-driven decision making. Throughout this project, we consistently upheld empathy towards user needs. It was essential to develop the product with continuous feedback from user testing, and all design decisions needed to be backed up by proper research rationale.