Interview with the creator of ‘Infomaps Amsterdam’: a beautifully designed iPhone App

Good friend Eric just released his new iPhone/iPod Touch app ‘Infomaps Amsterdam’ (iTunes link). It’s a practical and beautifully designed tourist and public transport guide for Amsterdam with ‘a twist’. I’ll be talking with Eric about the new app, the design process and we’ll be showing some of the early – and final – designs.

Marco: Apart from the beautifully designed custom maps (which we’ll be discussing later) one of the other things I like about your ‘Infomaps Amsterdam’ is the clever way you decided to use the Amsterdam Central Station as a center for the maps. Could you tell us a bit more about how and why you decided to set up the interface like that?

Eric: Two years ago I decided to design and get specialized more into user friendly maps. To get more experience in making maps I started with a make-over of the Amsterdam Metro Map. Because of the circular shape of the Amsterdam Canals I got the idea to create a map with circular lines and place Central Station, the main hub, in the center of the map. The result is a perfect reference point. In 1998 I made a first version of the Tram map in the same circular shape. It proved that this shape worked here fine as well. The only problem was how to get all 16 lines visible into one map. I decided to use the advantage of the iPhone to project each line into a separate layer, to be selected by line number.

Marco: Could you elaborate a bit more about some of the functions of ‘Infomaps Amsterdam’?

Eric: Alexander (my business associate) and I made sure all hotspots are coupled to tram, metro and train destinations. This allows you to find your way to any attraction in no time, without the need for an internet connection. Infomaps Amsterdam tells you which line to take and at which stop or station to exit. Perfect for tourists who are new to this beautiful city. But even for seasoned travelers within Amsterdam this iPhone app is a dream come through. Beautifully designed custom maps give you an overview of all tram and metro lines, tell you where to jump from one line to the other, and show you all the stops and stations you will cross along the way. Using the built-in GPS the App will tell you immediately where you are and which tram or metro line is closest to you. The program contains all the information it needs. You do not need an active 3G or WiFi connection to use the application, this is important if you are a tourist and don’t want to come home with an expensive roaming bill. Only when you would like to get further information from Google Maps or Mobile Safari you will need an internet connection.

Marco: What about the design? How did you come up with the interface? It makes perfect sense to use the Amsterdam Central Station as a center! Did you knew immediately you wanted to set up the maps like that?

Eric: Design is a process. After I discovered the circular shape and Central Station as a center it proved to be a firm foundation for all future maps. The big advantage regarding to other maps is the perfect reference to a center point. You never get lost anymore. If you know the center point it is easier to orientate and get familiar with all directions.

Marco: I know your an interface-designer and you also specialize in Infographics but what was it like to design for an iPhone / iPod Touch? Was it a difficult process?

Eric: It is not difficult but it is demanding. The biggest challenge is to stream a lot of info into a small screen. Although the iPhone screen is gorgeous, it can still be tiny to display a lot of information. So you have to decide how many info you put on each screen. And because of the touch options it is important to make all buttons easy clickable. Even the map is clickable but we featured this as an extra option. All clickable points on the map share GPS locations, so the App can show you on the custom Map which location is nearby. And as a feature you can tap the highlighted spot to get more info.

Marco: Thank you very much for this interview. I have just one last question: Can the app show us the nearest coffee-shop?

Eric: Ha ha! We provide basic information for a general public but we are sure that all users can find their own favorite hotspots which are not provided within this App.

Related links:
Infomaps Amsterdam’s website. iTunes link Infomaps Amsterdam. Eric’s website and Eric’s partner Alexander’s website. On a sidenote: Alexander has won 3 Apple Design Awards.