Exploring off-trail hiking navigation through sound

In this project, we collaborated across interaction design together with students from Advanced Product Design. We also had the pleasure of working with sound designer Andreas Estensen, whose expertise supported our exploration of how sound can be meaningfully integrated into industrial design.


Our goal was to develop an alternative navigation tool for off-trail hikers through the lens of sound. Throughout the process, we created and tested numerous prototypes, focusing both on ergonomics and functionality. We explored different ways of designing sound interactions and experimented with how auditory cues could be complemented and enhanced by light.

2026 / 3 weeks / Team / Sound design

Special thanks to my teammates: Isak Christofferesen (interaction design), Aryman Kashyup & Mo Shameer (Product design)


Exploring off-trail hiking navigation through sound

In this project, we collaborated across interaction design together with students from Advanced Product Design. We also had the pleasure of working with sound designer Andreas Estensen, whose expertise supported our exploration of how sound can be meaningfully integrated into industrial design.


Our goal was to develop an alternative navigation tool for off-trail hikers through the lens of sound. Throughout the process, we created and tested numerous prototypes, focusing both on ergonomics and functionality. We explored different ways of designing sound interactions and experimented with how auditory cues could be complemented and enhanced by light.

2026 / 3 weeks / Team / UX & Sound design

Special thanks to my teammates: Isak Christofferesen (interaction design), Aryman Kashyup & Mo Shameer (Product design)

Exploring Off-trail hiking navigation through sound

In this project, we collaborated across interaction design together with students from Advanced Product Design. We also had the pleasure of working with sound designer Andreas Estensen, whose expertise supported our exploration of how sound can be meaningfully integrated into industrial design.


Our goal was to develop an alternative navigation tool for off-trail hikers through the lens of sound. Throughout the process, we created and tested numerous prototypes, focusing both on ergonomics and functionality. We explored different ways of designing sound interactions and experimented with how auditory cues could be complemented and enhanced by light.

2026 / 3 weeks / Team / UX & Sound design

Special thanks to my teammates: Isak Christofferesen (interaction design), Aryman Kashyup & Mo Shameer (Product design)

Sound design in the context of

off-trail hiking*

Designing with sound
at the centre


This project explored interaction design through sound as the core element, examining how sound can redefine, enhance, and transform an experience when placed at the forefront.

*Off-trail hiking (or “bushwhacking”) is an outdoor activity where hikers intentionally leave marked paths to navigate through nature freely, embracing exploration beyond established trails.


*Off-trail hiking (or “bushwhacking”) is an outdoor activity where hikers intentionally leave marked paths to navigate through nature freely, embracing exploration beyond established trails.

Off-trail navigation experience today

Off-trail navigation
experience today

Entry Barrier


Off-trail hiking lacks a centralized hub or shared knowledge base. Information is fragmented, making it difficult for beginners to get started or assess risk.

Entry Barrier


Off-trail hiking lacks a centralized hub or shared knowledge base. Information is fragmented, making it difficult for beginners to get started or assess risk.


Plan–Reality Gap


Off-trail hiking depends on careful map study, yet real landscapes rarely match their representations. Conditions on site often require reinterpretation and spontaneous route adjustments.

Plan–Reality Gap


Off-trail hiking depends on careful map study, yet real landscapes rarely match their representations. Conditions on site often require reinterpretation and spontaneous route adjustments.


Interrupted Presence


Without a visible trail, hikers frequently look down at a phone or map to stay on course. This interrupts immersion and shifts attention away from the surrounding landscape.

How can we create an immersive navigation experience for off-trail hikers through the lens of sound?

Audio-based navigation


This product combines physical and digital elements. At its

core is a pair of navigation glasses, supported by a community and route-planning platform.


The glasses’ primary function is to hold an audio-based trail that guides the user. They support both ambient and active use, allowing for an immersive nature experience while keeping the user in control of their route.

Concept video ->

Key Features

(sound on)

Route tracking

Managing waypoints

Route alerts

Creating waypoints

Pressing the force-sensor on the right side activates Search Mode. The user is guided through spatial audio and subtle light cues, helping them quickly understand which direction to move.

Pressing the force-sensor on the right side activates Search Mode. The user is guided through spatial audio and subtle light cues, helping them quickly understand which direction to move.

Route tracking

Managing waypoints

Route alerts

Creating waypoints

Experience


The journey begins on the website, where route planning and community knowledge are central. Users can discover where to hike or avoid, identify hidden hazards, and assess route difficulty.


The planned trail is uploaded to the device and stored locally, with the option to print a physical map, ensuring navigation even off the grid.


The glasses add a spatial audio layer to the landscape, reducing the need to look down at a map. Through sound and light cues, users access their route while staying present. A built-in margin of deviation acknowledges that trails cannot be followed precisely, alerting users only when they move significantly off course and allowing them to re-route with confidence.

Form


This product takes the form of glasses, as off-trail hikers often already wear protective eyewear to shield themselves from branches and debris. The format also enables binaural audio and subtle peripheral light cues to guide the user.

Sound profile


The sound profile is intentionally technical, allowing it to stand out from the natural soundscape. Most audio cues are user-activated, minimizing disturbance and preserving the experience of being in nature.


Sound profile


The sound profile is intentionally technical, allowing it to stand out from the natural soundscape. Most audio cues are user-activated, minimizing disturbance and preserving the experience of being in nature.

Process ->

Testing navigation interactions


Recording and creating sounds


Sound boards as a tool to define sound identities


Early prototypes testing light concepts

Reflections & learnings


What I enjoyed most about this project was the Arduino prototyping process and seeing our ideas come to life in a tangible way. I was especially surprised by how effectively spatial sound could guide someone. It was inspiring to experience how sound can shape interaction, and it made me reflect on how we integrate different senses in design. Exploring multisensory interaction is something I want to continue developing in the future.


Due to time constraints, we did not fully explore how the system could function beyond off-trail hiking. Could users appropriate or hack it for their own purposes? Could it become a playful tool rather than purely navigational? These open questions remain areas I am curious to investigate further.


+Arduino prototyping +Sound design



Reflections & learnings


What I enjoyed most about this project was the Arduino prototyping process and seeing our ideas come to life in a tangible way. I was especially surprised by how effectively spatial sound could guide someone. It was inspiring to experience how sound can shape interaction, and it made me reflect on how we integrate different senses in design. Exploring multisensory interaction is something I want to continue developing in the future.


Due to time constraints, we did not fully explore how the system could function beyond off-trail hiking. Could users appropriate or hack it for their own purposes? Could it become a playful tool rather than purely navigational? These open questions remain areas I am curious to investigate further.


+Arduino prototyping +Sound design