The Tiles app
Overview
Tiles is a location-based exploration app that turns the world into a grid of hexagons. Each tile represents a real place that can be discovered, unlocked and remembered through pins made with photos or/ and notes. Also, it can be shared with other friends around the world and reply to that specific pin with your own media.
I created Tiles from concept and UX research to the final iOS product built with Xcode, using Mapbox as a map provider and CloudKit as a backend.
The project started as a personal idea and later grew into a startup concept during my participation in the Antler entrepreneurship program in Copenhagen, where I developed its early vision and product foundation.
Identifying the core problems
Most map apps are built for navigation, not discovery. They show you where to go, but not what’s interesting around you or what stories others have experienced there. I wanted to create something that captures curiosity and connection through real places.
Solution
Tiles reimagines exploration as a creative experience. The map is divided into hexagonal tiles you can unlock by visiting them. Inside each tile, users can leave Pins contained with photos or notes that capture a moment. Your friends can also post Pins, making the map a shared memory space.
It’s not about likes or followers, but about personal discovery and shared experiences. When you open the map, you see your story layered over the real world.
My Role
This was a full solo project, I worked on:
- Concept, research and product design
- UX and UI in Figma
- Visual identity and design system
- iOS implementation in Xcode using Swift, Mapbox, and CloudKit
- Testing and iteration based on user feedback
Doing everything myself gave me full control over every detail, from how the app feels when you open it to how data syncs in the background.
Design Approach
I built Tiles using Apple’s new visual style from iOS 26. The interface uses minimal controls that doesn't interfere with the map. The experience is calm and immersive, focused on the feeling of exploring rather than consuming content.
Each type of Pin is designed to blend naturally into the world view. The quick toolbar and context menus keep navigation fluid and always keeping the focus on the most important thing, the map, so you can capture a moment with one tap.
Outcome
Tiles is now a functional iOS prototype with:
- A full Mapbox-based map engine
- CloudKit integration for users, pins, and friend pins
- Glass-effect quick toolbars and contextual actions
- A feed that connects map activity with shared moments
It’s currently being tested with early users on Testflight, and launching really soon on the App Store.
If you want to try it out you can test it here: https://testflight.apple.com/join/Ha1v1BEr
Reviews
9 reviews
As a privacy-native gen and casual map user whose location setting is defaulted to off, except for food delivery apps, ride hailing, and sometimes maps, I'd argue that this is available in Google Maps “…but not what’s interesting around you or what stories others have experienced there.” Not really sure with Apple Maps tho.
The hexagonal tiles, however, will help with my nerves and my easily overwhelmed nature 😄 also I'd love to see more of how stories unfold that overlap with each user and the whole experience of these tiles. From what I've seen in Alfred Miller's post, it's just a pin and a photo, which my muggle-self already associates with something like Google Local Guide 🤔
Visual-wise, superb execution, Roger!
The project has solid foundations. 💪 The idea of exploring space through a hexagonal grid is an interesting twist on standard maps, and the social layer with pins from friends adds meaning to it. The concept itself of "discovering" places instead of just navigating is a good direction. 🤩
But I have a few observations that might help sharpen the whole thing. First of all - from these screens I don't fully understand the core value for the user.
- Is this an app for documenting my travels?
- For discovering interesting places from friends?
- For collecting tiles like achievements in a game?
The brief talks about everything at once, but doesn't show me one clear "why would I open this."
Visually it looks decent, but these screens are more of a feature showcase than a user journey. I'm missing context. What does the first contact with the app look like? How do you motivate someone to create their first pin? How do you encourage adding friends? These are crucial moments that decide whether someone stays. 😊
You have a really good starting point for something unique. Now the key will be sharpening who this is for and why they would use it regularly. 💪❤️
What an excellent idea, Roger! I like how it invites us to get off the sofa and discover new places. You gamified this by adding things that spark curiosity (perhaps you could play with surprises, add some Easter Eggs as well), scoring, and a social element. I'd love to become a user, but I am only concerned about privacy. What if I don't want others to see where I've been? Is there a private mode? What to do when there is a hexagon in a place that can be dangerous? Can we flag that?
Congrats on this awesome job, and keep us posted about when it's released to the public.
This seems like an awesome concept! For a case study I would've loved to see some sketches or earlier concepts and what the journey was like / hear about some of the pain points like led to its creation. It also would've been really great to include an animation / video of the tiles generating.
I'll keep an eye out for this, it would be really interesting to see this evolve into a concept like geocaching or something.
Cool project Roger. I always appreciate new and interesting ideas and your direction definitely catches attention.
A few things come to mind as I look at what you are building. First, what size are you imagining for the tiles and why? Do you have a specific number in mind or a reason behind the dimensions?
I am also wondering how you plan to motivate users to actually use the app. What is the benefit of taking a picture through your app instead of just using a regular camera? This could be a great place to explore added value. The whole experience could gain a new dimension if you introduced gamification elements or other features that encourage users to explore more. A section showing popular tiles could also be interesting and might inspire users to visit and interact with them.
Have you thought about monetization as well? Maybe ads inside tiles or a paid version of the app with extra features. It could help make the project sustainable in the long run.
Overall, your concept is intriguing and has a lot of potential. Good luck as you keep developing it.
Roger, I want to start by saying what a cool idea! I love the use of hexagon tiles to explore the world, and the app feels clean and calming, just like you were aiming for.
A few things:
• It would be great to see a full flow from the home screen through to how a user picks a location, confirms they’ve been, and adds photos or notes.
• When do tiles get unlocked? If someone walks into an area, does it unlock automatically, or is it something users do intentionally? Showing the happy-path flow would help answer questions like this.
• Adding a few gamified elements, achievements or little moments of joy could give the app more character and purpose.
Overall, a really cool concept and I’d love to see it in more detail!
Wow Roger! I think this is a unique project. From a design perspective, I think you already nailed it. From using the iOS 26 component, using a real component for me is a plus point; you build from a real foundation. I see you also try to break a rule with a hexagonal type of design, but I think this one needs to be confirmed by the users themselves. Because this is also a startup project, I think you need to have a projection about who the real user of this app is. Starting to get real feedback can make this project or app go far. Keep it up!
Great idea!
This is beautiful Roger. Well done! You've gamified the maps app and I think I see the potential. Like Pokémon Go for explorers? Focused not on fictional creatures but on real places. I like the idea of "Tiles visited" instead of "followers".
Some people here compared it to existing maps but I think the real game here is unlocking the tiles and - although a big map - completing it.
One question I have is how big the tiles are going to be and how to handle tiles where multiple interesting locations exist.
But I guess the real question is how this could be monetized. Maybe ads from locations? Like, "make your tile borders glow" to get attention or allow business to create quest for people to get to their physical location and unlock something or something like that 😂
Love the idea man, this could go in so many different ways, keep it up.
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