Picksie is a new way to interact with your city and discover the best that it has to offer. Based on the premise that maps should be easily readable on the go, Picksie’s simple graphical interface allows you to explore your city like never before.

Picksie is Ishi Systems’ proprietary app, and they asked us to team up with them on design, interface and user experience. Our mission was to create a world that is not merely practical, but also an environment that allows you to discover new places, whether in your hometown or on vacation. No matter where you are or what the device, Picksie is designed to make finding things to do around you easy.

For iPad, we have created a web-based interface that looks and feels like a native app but gives you the flexibility to view it from any computer. There is also a native app for iPhone that is geared towards even quicker mobile use through a simplified interface. Break from the same-old routine by using the app to discover, and then save your favorites so that you can find them again next time.

The Picksie map uses a simple set of icons to help users distinguish between different types of venues. Instead of a static set of pushpins, we wanted to give the map more ability to let the user interpret data at a single glance. The result is the set of expressive icons that you see now in the app. These icons allow you to see and understand a wide range of options without having to click through and read about each dot on the map.

These icons also make the core functionality of the app possible: discovery. We felt that Picksie should be about the pleasure of finding a new great spot that you never knew existed. To us, that’s not another boring iteration on existing tools; it’s an extra drop of spontaneity in your day, so you ultimately have more fun out there in the world.

It’s also about efficiency. With such a heavy focus in today’s market on providing as much information as possible, the user often gets bogged down reading text, and  this approach can actually slow you down. But with Picksie, the Discovery function takes your current location and runs an algorithm that evaluates a set of relevant criteria before providing the a map of the best things to do around you within a two-hour span. Picksie is filtered for you, and thanks to our icon system, you’ll have a faster and easier time deciding where to go.

You can also select one of these icons to filter by category or drill down to view specific details about a particular venue. With options like bookmarking, checking a place off as visited, and giving a thumbs up or down, Picksie simultaneously gets to know you and crowd-sources ratings and tips to help out other users. And, of course, all of this is fully integrated with the social platforms you already know and love: Facebook and Twitter. This provides added value to everyone. When users share, friends get better recommendations and businesses get even more visibility.

Another detail that we’re especially proud of is the Plan function. Input the time and date you’re planning to be at a specific location and share with whomever you want, all in one centralized interface. Less clicks means more time to spend with your friends.

All in all, Picksie is a full-service, location-aware urban discovery app. Picksie is discovery, learning, planning, and sharing, and it’s here to make the city even more fun.

Get your Picksie at the App Store

or online at Picksie.com