1. As a new user, I want to sign up for an account, so I can start creating and saving maps.
2. As a returning user, I want to view my profile page, so I can access and manage all the maps I've created.
3. As a user, I want to create a new map, so I can visually explore a book I love.
4. As a user, I want to upload my own image or choose an existing map, so I can customize the base of my map.
5. As a user, I want to add annotations to my map, so I can highlight key story moments and journeys.
6. As a user, I want to share my map, so others can view and engage with the story world I create.
7. As a user, I want to search for maps by book title, author, or genre, so I can discover maps made by others.
8. As a user, I want to view public maps, so I can explore how other readers interpreted different stories.
I started with a neobrutalism open-source design kit, which offered a structured and organized foundation—ideal for teams working across shared files. The predefined layout rules and components made early development efficient and consistent.
As the project progressed, we adapted the system to better fit our needs—modifying elements like color, typography, and component styles to create a more functional and tailored design workspace.
I conducted two rounds of user testing—one after initial stylization and another at the end of the process. While feedback mostly focused on layout and placement, the most valuable insight was that boxing every element made the interface feel cluttered and overly interactive, as if everything was clickable. This pushed me to move away from the overly boxy neobrutalist style for improved clarity and usability.
There’s more! To demonstrate our familiarity with the system, we also built a mobile version. This makes the app easily accessible when you’re away from your computer.