ALANNAH CLARK
The JAMS Band;
illuminate, navigate, and celebrate
A connected festival wristband and service designed to help users navigate events, stay safe, and stay together—lighting up with music, sharing maps, and syncing with friends in real time.
The Problem Space
Australia’s festival scene is under pressure, with over 25 events cancelled in the past five years due to financial, regulatory, and attendance challenges.
Festivals need to evolve to remain relevant—creating experiences that are more immersive, accessible, and future-ready.
OPPORTUNITIES
Our research uncovered a clear tension: festivals are meant to be joyful and communal, yet often leave attendees feeling lost, disconnected, and overwhelmed.
We set out to design a solution that would simplify navigation, strengthen social connection, and amplify the magic of live music.
Our Approach
Through user research, stakeholder interviews, and co-design workshops with festival-goers and industry experts, we identified pain points across the festival experience.
Our research revealed four key user challenges:
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Finding designated areas (bathrooms, stages, exits)
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Queuing and waiting, often wasting valuable event time
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Separation from friends, leading to frustration and anxiety
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Inadequate guidance, leaving users feeling lost and disconnected
The Solution
The JAMS Band creates a seamless physical-digital ecosystem that empowers festival-goers to stay connected, find their way, and fully immerse themselves in the event.
The wristband enables users to:
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Sync lights with music for a more immersive atmosphere.
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Navigate effortlessly using intuitive wayfinding tools that guide them to stages, facilities, and friends.
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Stay connected by sharing real-time location data with their party, ensuring they never lose each other in the crowd.
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Have instant access to maps, line-ups, and essential updates.
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Fosters safety with emergency assistance features and crowd alerts
User Interface Design
The wristband uses Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC technology to offer seamless communication, location tracking, and cashless transactions. It connects directly to the event’s network via Wi-Fi, enabling high-speed data transfer and accurate tracking in crowded spaces.
Designed with festival realities in mind, the JAMS Band balances innovation and practicality — including energy-efficient lighting, durable materials, and offline functionality for areas with limited signal.
How it Works
Pre-Event
After purchasing a festival ticket, users receive a personalisation form to select preferences and sync with friends. Their wristband is pre-programmed based on these selections. On arrival, users receive their wristband, scan it to download their personalised content, and are ready to explore.
During the Event
Users start JAMS by scanning their ticket to receive their personalised experience. They can select stages, facilities, and features (like maps, setlists, or adding party members), then use real-time navigation to move easily between locations like bathrooms, stages, and meeting points.
Organiser Service Packages
To support the service, we developed a flexible financial model that covers basic and premium wristband packages, optional data insights, and sponsorship opportunities, helping organisers manage costs and optimise event experiences.
The JAMS Band
