Finding Your Way Back, Offline

The problem

Every year a temporary city of tens of thousands of people rises in the Nevada desert. Streets are named by the clock and the alphabet, landmarks move every night, and there’s almost no mobile signal. Ordinary map apps can’t load, so people get lost trying to find their way back to camp, often in the dark.

What we built

Trace is an iOS app designed to work with no connection at all:

• The whole city, offline. The map of Black Rock City is stored on the phone, with its clock-and-letter street grid and the art and landmarks people actually navigate by.
• Turn-by-turn, the way people talk. Save your camp as an address like “7:30 & D”, and Trace routes you there street by street using GPS alone.
• A compass for the last stretch. When you’re close, Trace switches to a simple pointer and the straight-line distance, so you can use what you see around you to confirm you’ve arrived.

Designed for the desert

Bright sunlight, dust and darkness shaped every decision. The day theme keeps contrast high in direct sun. The night theme drops to deep purple with bright mint routes so it won’t dazzle you or the people around you. Big type, few taps and clear landmarks keep it usable from the saddle of a bike.

Where it is now

Trace is in development, with the core map, routing and compass working fully offline.

Why it matters for your business

Plenty of teams work where the signal doesn’t reach: warehouses, construction sites, ships, rural routes and big venues. Designing offline first means the app keeps working exactly when people need it most.