City of katy:
visitors center interactive
Project description
Client
City of Katy
1
Type
Large-format touchscreen interactive (136” x 65”); iPad
2
Timeline
3
2024 — 2025
Role
4
UX & UI Designer
Contribution
User interface & design systems
Visual organization of data
Experience & functionality optimization
QA testing
5
Credits
900lbs team (Motion graphics, development),
City of Katy (Photography, design collaboration)
6
Overview
The City of Katy launched a redesign of its downtown Visitors Center to create a more engaging way for guests to explore the city’s attractions, history, and local experiences.
The project focused on building an interactive digital experience that would help visitors easily discover places to visit.
The challenge
How might we design an interactive that helps guests quickly discover local attractions, history, and events while remaining intuitive for first-time users and easy for City staff to manage and update?
The solution needed to:
Help visitors quickly discover local attractions and points of interest
Present the city’s history, culture, and amenities in an engaging format
Allow staff to easily update content without technical support
Integrate visually with the center’s bold interior design and physical displays
The solution
In collaboration with Procom Audio Visual and Innovative Environments, we designed and developed an interactive touchscreen experience installed throughout the Visitors Center.
The application provided visitors with a simple way to explore the city through curated content, interactive maps, and location-based discovery tools.
Interactive Content Navigation
The interface organized content into clear categories that helped visitors quickly explore what Katy has to offer:
Live
Work
Play
History
Map
Help
Each section included image galleries, curated content, and intuitive navigation designed for first-time users.
Interactive Map & Location Discovery
Visitors could explore Katy through an interactive map experience powered by location data.
Key features included:
Search functionality for points of interest
Category-based filtering for locations
QR codes allowing users to save destinations and explore them after leaving the center
Mapping services were powered by the HERE API to deliver accurate location results.
Content Management System
A scalable CMS was developed to allow City staff to easily update content, including:
Points of interest
Event information
Image galleries and descriptions
Accessibility & Environmental Design
Accessibility and spatial integration were key design considerations, especially with these considerations:
Large touch targets for public use
Clear visual hierarchy for quick scanning
A color palette and layout aligned with the Visitors Center’s interior design
Close collaboration with the interior design team ensured the digital experience complemented the physical environment.
Results & Impact
Delivered a state-of-the-art interactive experience for the newly redesigned Visitors Center
Created a cohesive environment where digital displays align with the physical space and branding
Provided visitors with an engaging way to explore local attractions and history
Enabled City staff to easily manage and update content through a scalable CMS
The platform now serves as a dynamic tool that encourages visitors to explore the city and discover everything Katy has to offer.
Why it worked
The experience combined intuitive touchscreen navigation with an interactive map, allowing visitors to quickly discover places to explore in the city. A flexible CMS ensured the platform remained easy for staff to maintain while creating a cohesive, engaging environment throughout the Visitors Center.