Google Wander
A digital product that simulates the physical wandering experience to inspire creative thinking.
In collaboration with Google Labs.
Team
Kelvin YeTaliyah HarveyBradli PowellSinchana NamaAniket SinghAbriana StewartMax Chow EverettChristine Lai
Role
Product ManagerProduct Designer
Timeline
Jan 2025 –Mar 2025
Tools
Figma
Video directed by Kelvin Ye, the most talented director I know
BACKGROUND
Gen Z creatives struggle to break through creative blocks because inspiration platforms overwhelm them with algorithmically-curated content that feels disconnected from their personal context and lived experiences.
Generative AI tools for image and video creation are advancing quickly and are being adopted within social ecosystems shaped by TikTok, Instagram, and constant digital creativity. Gen Z and Gen Alpha hold mixed perceptions toward these tools, as some are excited by the speed and novelty, while others feel that AI-generated media lacks authenticity, emotional connection, and the human touch that makes creative work feel special.
As AI becomes more embedded in everyday content creation, there is a growing need for tools that support genuine self-expression rather than automate or replace it.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Design a new concept or application that demonstrates how generative AI can empower young people to create content that feels personal, intentional, and emotionally resonant. The goal is to shift the narrative from AI as a shortcut to AI actively guiding and amplifying the creative process.
RESEARCH
TARGET AUDIENCE
Gen Z and Gen Alpha creators, from casual social storytellers to emerging artists. We identified 3 main personas: a Craft Preservationist, Purpose-Driven Creator, and Pragmatic Innovator. They value originality, identity expression, rapid creation, cultural relevance, and control over their creative output.
We considered honing in on a specific creative, but decided to target creatives more generally in that all creatives face creative block and may use the software to their own needs. Our use case example was with a Fashion Designer gathering inspiration and designing a dress.
CORE DESIGN GOALS
The product should
- Enable creativity rather than automate it
- Encourage active participation rather than passive consumption
- Reflect the values, behaviors, and aesthetics of younger creators
- Integrate Google Whisk, Flow, or other evolving generative tools
- Create playful or meaningful pathways for storytelling, collaboration, or experimentation
- Inspire curiosity, joy, and trust in AI-assisted creation
THE SOLUTION
