Cosmic Hike
Embark on a Hike Between Earth and the Stars
A digital hiking experience that connects nature, community, and reward. Cosmic Hike gamifies your trek to Mt. Wilson, transforming a physical journey into an interactive adventure that ends with a free cup of joy at Cosmic Café.
Reconnecting Through Nature and Local Ritual
In a time of increasing digital fatigue, many seek deeper, more tangible experiences.
But how do we make outdoor activities feel more connected, purposeful, and fun—especially for local explorers?
HMW create a sense of reward and storytelling in a simple hiking trip, while supporting a local small business?
Design Concept - Journey
A Hike That Tells A Story
Cosmic Hike is a mobile concept that tracks your hike up Mt. Wilson while building a narrative around celestial exploration.
As users ascend, they collect milestones—like passing constellations.
Their final destination? A real, tangible reward: a free drink at the mountaintop Cosmic Café.
It’s like Pokémon Go meets a hiking ritual—with a local twist.
How It Works
1. Start Your Journey
Begin your hike with location-enabled tracking.
2. Unlock Milestones
Reach key points to unlock local historical spots.
3. Reach the Summit
Once you complete the trail, a digital token is unlocked.
4. Redeem Reward
Show your token at Cosmic Café and enjoy your drink—earned by effort and exploration.
Design Approach
Designing an Immersive Outdoor Experience
I would like to envision Cosmic Hike as a dynamic and immersive welcome center experience for Mount Wilson, serving as a gateway to the site's natural beauty and cultural significance. By framing the introduction to Mt. Wilson through the lens of outdoor exploration and adventure, this project hopes to foster a deep connection between visitors and the mountain environment.
More Than a Hike—A Local Adventure
Cosmic Hike isn’t just a fitness tracker—it’s a narrative-driven system that:
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Encourages mindfulness and physical engagement
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Strengthens local business ecosystems
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Reinforces the joy of earning, not just consuming
It offers a speculative model for how digital tools can enrich real-world rituals.