The world shut down in 2020 to protect everyone’s health and prevent the spread of the virus. Trying to stay healthy from COVID 19 brought its own health challenges.

Physical Health:

Traditional ways stay active and healthy while gyms, fields, and arenas were closed

Mental Health:

Increased isolation and depression from self isolation, quarantine, and social distancing

How can we reimagine sports as an interactive platform to encourage an active lifestyle, competition, and creativity, in unprecedented health, societal, and economic constraints? 

Early or alternate ideation

Initial studies were done at home using Radical AI to activate users to earn points and compete against others.

Final design solution

Word on the Street is a new sport that can be played asynchronously, competitively and collaboratively. Every street becomes the playing field, every time of day is the start time, and every age can play at their own pace. Players spell out words by walking or running letters with their paths. This sport encourages players to discover new words, sites, and routes as they try and navigate each letter within local, distant, urban, and rural landscapes.

Wherever you are and wherever you go, you can help spread the word. In your neighborhood or downtown any time of day wherever you go

Scoring & Accuracy:

The app will measure variations on your route compared to the suggested letterforms of capital and lowercase letters.

Skill:

Different letters are awarded more points based on their complexity and if players include details in the letter forms.

Distance:

The mileage covered in your route is multiplied to the other scores.

Next Steps / Learning

Socially Distant Exploring & Tourism:

By hosting Word on the Street Championships, guests can travel within geographical regions to complete challenges.