← TrackMyStatesOwner decision · provisional

Provisional direction, transparent evidence status

Three ways to show one state story.

Each prototype uses the same states, same mode order, same questions, and the same icon + pattern + text + color language. Try them at mobile and desktop sizes, by touch or keyboard.

Zero moderated sessions were completed. The recruitment study was withdrawn before any session.

The product owner explicitly waived the evidence gate on August 25, 2026.

Option B is a provisional default by a product-owner heuristic decision, not user evidence or validation.

A controlled comparison fixture

It deliberately includes an unmarked state; states with 1, 2, 3, and 5 modes; primary + goal borders; large and small Northeast states; and a Florida “lived here + airport only” semantic conflict.

Provisional choice, not user-validated

Option B · hierarchy

Provisional default

Primary fill plus badges

The explicit primary mode owns the patterned fill. Up to three independent symbol badges add context; a dark-backed gold border marks goals without relying on dashes alone.

RIME

Northeast callouts keep Rhode Island and Maine attached to their small source states with leader lines; the text list below preserves every mode.

  • CA+1California. Full modes: Meaningful visit; Lived here; Stayed overnight; Ate a meal; Want to visit. Primary: Lived here. Goal: Want to visit
  • COColorado. Full modes: Meaningful visit; Stayed overnight; Ate a meal. Primary: Meaningful visit
  • TXTexas. Full modes: Lived here; Drove through. Primary: Lived here
  • MEMaine. Full modes: Meaningful visit. Primary: Meaningful visit
  • RIRhode Island. Full modes: Stayed overnight; Want to visit. Primary: Stayed overnight. Goal: Want to visit
  • FLFlorida. Full modes: Lived here; Airport only. Primary: Lived here. Semantic conflict example
  • ALUnmarkedAlabama. Full modes: none
  • Meaningful visitsolid plum
  • Lived herediagonal lines
  • Stayed overnightdots
  • Drove throughcrosshatch
  • Airport onlyvertical bars
  • Ate a mealdiamonds
  • Fueled/chargedhorizontal bars
  • Want to visitstars

Option A · equal bands

Split fill

Fixed global mode order divides each state into deterministic bands. Pattern and dark separators back up color; four bands is the legibility cap.

Large-state check: California. Small-state checks: Maine and Rhode Island. Select any state for a text inspection.

  • CA+1California. Full modes: Meaningful visit; Lived here; Stayed overnight; Ate a meal; Want to visit. Primary: Lived here. Goal: Want to visit
  • COColorado. Full modes: Meaningful visit; Stayed overnight; Ate a meal. Primary: Meaningful visit
  • TXTexas. Full modes: Lived here; Drove through. Primary: Lived here
  • MEMaine. Full modes: Meaningful visit. Primary: Meaningful visit
  • RIRhode Island. Full modes: Stayed overnight; Want to visit. Primary: Stayed overnight. Goal: Want to visit
  • FLFlorida. Full modes: Lived here; Airport only. Primary: Lived here. Semantic conflict example
  • ALUnmarkedAlabama. Full modes: none
  • Meaningful visitsolid plum
  • Lived herediagonal lines
  • Stayed overnightdots
  • Drove throughcrosshatch
  • Airport onlyvertical bars
  • Ate a mealdiamonds
  • Fueled/chargedhorizontal bars
  • Want to visitstars

Option C · focused view

Single-mode filter

One mode at a time uses both pattern and symbol. Nonmatches remain visible in neutral ink, while Composite and All modes are separate choices.

Choose the map view

Showing 8 of 50 states with any recorded mode.

  • AlabamaNo modes
  • AlaskaNo modes
  • ArizonaNo modes
  • ArkansasNo modes
  • CaliforniaMeaningful visit; Lived here; Stayed overnight; Ate a meal; Want to visitPrimary: Lived here. Goal: Want to visit.
  • ColoradoMeaningful visit; Stayed overnight; Ate a mealPrimary: Meaningful visit.
  • ConnecticutNo modes
  • DelawareNo modes
  • FloridaLived here; Airport onlyPrimary: Lived here. Semantic conflict example.
  • GeorgiaNo modes
  • HawaiiNo modes
  • IdahoNo modes
  • IllinoisNo modes
  • IndianaNo modes
  • IowaNo modes
  • KansasNo modes
  • KentuckyNo modes
  • LouisianaNo modes
  • MaineMeaningful visitPrimary: Meaningful visit.
  • MarylandNo modes
  • MassachusettsNo modes
  • MichiganNo modes
  • MinnesotaNo modes
  • MississippiNo modes
  • MissouriNo modes
  • MontanaNo modes
  • NebraskaNo modes
  • NevadaNo modes
  • New HampshireNo modes
  • New JerseyNo modes
  • New MexicoNo modes
  • New YorkAte a mealPrimary: Ate a meal.
  • North CarolinaNo modes
  • North DakotaNo modes
  • OhioNo modes
  • OklahomaNo modes
  • OregonNo modes
  • PennsylvaniaNo modes
  • Rhode IslandStayed overnight; Want to visitPrimary: Stayed overnight. Goal: Want to visit.
  • South CarolinaNo modes
  • South DakotaNo modes
  • TennesseeNo modes
  • TexasLived here; Drove throughPrimary: Lived here.
  • UtahNo modes
  • VermontNo modes
  • VirginiaNo modes
  • WashingtonDrove throughPrimary: Drove through.
  • West VirginiaNo modes
  • WisconsinNo modes
  • WyomingNo modes
  • Meaningful visitsolid plum
  • Lived herediagonal lines
  • Stayed overnightdots
  • Drove throughcrosshatch
  • Airport onlyvertical bars
  • Ate a mealdiamonds
  • Fueled/chargedhorizontal bars
  • Want to visitstars

What happens next?

Option B remains a provisional default only. The unused moderated protocol is preserved for future validation, and Option C remains available as the focused single-mode view.

Back to the concept