mapsindoors
from boring to breathtaking
In 2012, tapping a button to Uber across the city felt magical. By the start of 2016, this magic receded to a slew of disparate features that made the experience slow and complex to use.
my role
Lead Product Designer
platform
Web, Android, iOS
duration
6 Months
impact
+110% YoY ARR growth rate
the problem
Design by accretion
In just five years since 2011, Uber transformed from a black car service for 100 friends in San Francisco to a global transportation network. By 2016, Uber delivered over 3 million rides a day in over 400 cities across 70 countries.
The Rider app — designed in 2012, struggled to scale alongside the hyper-growth of the company. Fundamental usability was challenged. Disparate features and experiments competed for focus. App reliability and performance issues increased exponentially.
The Rider app had become the org chart.
How MapsIndoors look before I started
my role
Leading the visual revamp
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
How MapsIndoors look before I started
Approach
Scaling aesthetics
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
How MapsIndoors look before I started
Challenges
Looks good, but… It's slow.
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
Solution
Full scalable and usable design system
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
results
Enterprise customers taking notice
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
lessons learned
Looking good is underrated
I was brought in in 2021 to change that. Turning this functional product into an engaging platform with a product wide designs system that would harmonize with the companys new rendering enginge in 3D.
How MapsIndoors look before I started
My desk setup (hover to reveal current)
get in
touch
Whether you’re a startup looking for your first product design partner or a global team refining a platform used by millions, I can help you turn complex ideas into intuitive, beautiful experiences that drive real results.
© 2025 Oliver Odgaard
hi@odgaard.work
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