About
Hash Guide
Hash House Harriers - The Drinking Club With A Running Problem
Over the years, I’ve noticed that almost every week I would see a hasher comment within a facebook community asking “when is the next hash?” or “does [insert city here] have an active kennel?”
Here are just a few screenshots I took for example:
So, I decided to design an app that would minimize the constant stream of confusion by putting all the hashing events in one place!
Made by hashers for hashers! All the detrails you want to know in one convenient application. Never miss a hash when you've got the ultimate hash guide at your finger tips!
ON ON!
Research
While hashers have shifted to more tech-savvy methods of accepting cash payments for events like using Venmo or PayPal, they have yet to update their method of communication or posting event announcements. For most kennels (kennels being the term used to describe hashing groups around the world), they either have a simple website with calendar dates showcasing when their next event is, use email lists or they have a facebook page.
I wanted to set out to design an application that would allow Hashers to quickly find out when and where a hash was taking place without having to search high and low for that information.
There is a facebook-esque site made by hashers called Hashspace, but there is no app version of the site and their focus is on the social aspect rather than hashing event notifications.
Hashspace - This site is the most complete, cohesive hash collective online, but it lacks an app and lacks the same amount of engagement that the facebook hash groups receive.
Here’s an example of an independently hosted Hash website for an individual kennel. Fun fact, this is a website I helped visually design way back when. Amazing that all the same graphics are being used after all these years.
A typical example of a kennel’s facebook community page. Hash events are created and shared primarily through this platform.
Ideation
Armed with pen & paper and with some free time on a vacation, I went to work quickly sketching out my ideas. A little bit of wireframe sketching here and a little bit of simple user flow there… This is where the magic starts.
Prototyping
Jumping straight into the prototyping phase, I created my prototype within Adobe XD and had a fun time adding that Hasher spirit to this project with some motion graphics. Given that I have been hashing for over 10 years now, it was easy to get into the mindset of what features would be important and what language would best resonate with my target audience.
Next Steps
Since this is a passion project and I am not a programmer, the development of this app is still in progress. Life always finds a way to interrupt, but with the help of others and a lot of persistence it will get made! Also, there is a lot of interest from the hashers that have play-tested the prototype and would love to have the ability to easily find detrails for their home kennels or when they are traveling.