Ideation
Translating research into design directions

Our Process

Individual brainstorming

8–10 ideas per team member generated independently before group discussion

Ideation matrix

25+ concepts compared against trust, distraction risk, ForeFlight fit, & unique value

Storyboarding

2 storyboards tested real-world plausibility and revealed key timing insights

Concept refinement

Narrowed to 2 candidate directions for concept testing

Storyboards

Following our research and synthesis activities, we transitioned into the ideation phase to explore how social interaction could be integrated into the ForeFlight experience. We created two storyboards based on common scenarios identified through our research: navigating an unfamiliar airport and seeking advice from other pilots. These storyboards helped us visualize how community-driven features could support pilots within their existing workflows and served as a bridge between our research findings and early concept development.

Storyboard 1

A student pilot navigates to an unfamiliar airport without local knowledge — highlighting the gap peer insight could fill before the flight even begins.

Storyboard 2

A recreational pilot seeks aviation connections and coordinates a fly-in meetup — showing the value of community and shared experience.

Key insight: the most valuable social moments happen before and after flights, not during them. This pointed toward a separate companion app rather than in-flight features.

Two Candidate Directions

The ideation matrix narrowed our concepts to two directions, both advanced to concept testing:

Embedded community layer — social features built directly into ForeFlight's map and planning interface. Deeper integration but higher distraction risk. Rejected after storyboarding revealed safety concerns and later confirmed by concept testing.

Separate companion app — a connected but distinct platform linked via shared ForeFlight account. Cleaner safety boundary, pre/post-flight focus. Chosen based on storyboard insights and confirmed by both concept testing participants.

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