The Bear Patrol app was designed to improve the usability of WashU’s late-night escort service, Bear Patrol, through streamlining how students request and track rides home.
Impact
Streamlined, trackable communication for Bear Patrol encourages more students to use the late-night escort service and reduces the number left stranded or giving up because they’re unsure if their ride will arrive.
I surveyed 11 students across all grades, focusing on freshmen since they live on campus and use Bear Patrol more. The survey covered study habits, challenges with Bear Patrol, and desired app features.
The main issues were unclear arrival times, no ride tracking, and poor communication—leading to confusion and unsafe situations where students waited or walked alone at night.
Students want a Bear Patrol app with an easy, quick ride request process and real-time tracking with estimated pickup times to improve convenience, safety, and reduce uncertainty.
I started with a wireframe prototype, then developed branding to create a polished draft. The first design separated location and destination selection into two steps, followed by confirmation, estimated pickup time, and live tracking. Usability testing showed this was slower and more confusing than expected, so I shifted to a single-step campus map view where users select both points at once.
Branding uses a monochromatic blue gradient with white accents, reflecting the campus police’s blue uniforms and conveying trust and professionalism. I chose DM Sans for its readability on small screens and its italic italics, which subtly suggest roads and movement.
The logo merges the campus bear mascot with the golf carts Bear Patrol is known for, tying the brand to campus culture. I also mocked up the branding on golf carts to ensure digital and physical consistency, making the service instantly recognizable to students.
If this project were to continue, I would expand the branding and assets, conduct another round of usability testing with the final prototype, and add other features students requested—such as the option to call a Bear Patrol escort for a group of people.