Experiential Design / Final Project

01.10.2023 - 09.11.2023 (Week 05 - Week 11)

Jacquline Lim Xin Ying / 0351304
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Games Studies
Experiential Design / Final Project 



INSTRUCTIONS







Final Project 

In the concluding task of the Experiential Design module, I need to synthesize the knowledge acquired from prior stages to transform my proposed AR app idea into a fully functional product. Building on the conceptualization, design, and prototyping phases, this final step involves integrating visual assets and refining the prototype for a cohesive and immersive user experience. In order to improve aesthetics and usability, I must strategically incorporate graphics, animations, and user interface elements while addressing any identified shortcomings through iterative improvements. The goal is to deliver a polished and user-friendly AR application that embodies the principles of experiential design, showcasing the evolution from concept to implementation and a comprehensive understanding of design processes.


In the conceptualization of my design, I have structured it into three distinct and significant sections, each serving a specific purpose:

Owner Info
It is dedicated to providing comprehensive details about the owner of the profile or project, offering users a deeper understanding of the individual or entity behind the content. This could include personal or organizational information, fostering transparency and connection.

Social Media Profile Preview and Showcase
This the expansion of 'Owner Info' that is designed to offer a snapshot of the user's social media presence. It aims to aggregate and display key aspects of the individual's or project's online identity, allowing users to quickly grasp the essence and relevance of the associated social media profiles with the preview function before actually going to the specific application or webpage. This not only facilitates efficient information consumption but also encourages cross-platform engagement.

Promote Project
It is geared towards highlighting and promoting a specific project or initiative. This could involve showcasing visuals, descriptions, or updates related to ongoing ventures, fostering visibility and encouraging user interaction. By dedicating a section to promotion, the design emphasizes the strategic intention of showcasing and elevating specific content, aligning with the user's objectives and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the platform. This section can also be used for presenting the most proud artwork of the artist or owner.

All designed component can be found in the section of 'Prototype in Figma' under Task 3 (Creative Experience Design Project Prototype) blog




[ Owner Info ]


Fig 1 - Image Add


An image that obtain a button component was added into the canvas which I have created earlier and insert the ‘owner info’ which include their name, title, contact number, and email address.





[ Social Media Profile Preview and Showcase ]

Fig 2.1 & Fig 2.2 - Icons Button Animation


When the user clicks on the ’owner info’, there will three buttons appeared which are the icons of Instagram, Blogger and Wix. For instance, in the case for ‘Jeq studio’, it will be that 3 buttons while in the profile of GK.Reative will be Instagram, Blogger and Behance, which mean in this section will only 3 preferred social media profiles. Additionally, to enhance the user experience, there will be an animation for the button to fade out when the user clicks on the “Owner Info” as well as the the effect of time delay.



Fig 2.3 & Fig 2.4 - Buttons Assignment & “SwitchSocialMedia” C# Script


Through the three buttons, users may see a preview of the social media profile on click. By using the “SwitchSocialMedia” script, it allows me to change the preview screen when a different button(icons) is clicked. I assigned all the buttons and the game object which is the preview screen to the 'inspector' and each button will represent different game objects.

After running the app, all the game objects will be set to inactive, but once user clicks on the social media, the game objects will be set to active and display the preview screen. To keep the the interface clean, preventing from cluttered screen, I then apply scrolling effect to do so. You may check out my previous blog for the details of the way to apply the scrolling effect.



Fig 2.5 & Fig 2.6 -  'Go Visit' Button Assignment & 'Linkmanager' C# Script


On top of that, I am also providing a button that directs users to the social media platforms' official websites. Linking all social media and blog sites utilizing the "Linkmanager" script, and call it in the On Click() section for every "View Sites" button.





[ Promote Project ]


Fig 3.1 - 'Project' Button Assignment & 'Project View' C# Script


In this section, I have a button labelled "View Project," which will show the project that the owner is currently working on that they wish to promote or showcasing their their most proud projects. 



Fig 3.2 & Fig 3.3-  'Go Visit' Button Assignment & 'Linkmanager' C# Script


For the purpose of allowing users to navigate through the projects, I have also included two buttons: the Next button and the Previous button. Through the utilisation of the "C#" script, I will be able to assign all of the images that we require to be displayed into the inspector. By clicking the next button, the images will be displayed in the order that they were created, beginning with index 0 (Element 0) and index 2 (Element 2).



Fig 3.4 - 'view more' button and its linked panel

Fig 3.5 - 'view more' Button Assignment & 'Projectview' C# Script


At the bottom of the project's interface background, there is a hyperlink that says "view more." The hyperlink "view more" allows users to view the project details. To create a preview that can scroll to reveal the project details, I'm using an additional canvas. (Write the previously written explanation regarding the scroll view). In addition, to display the project details when the "view more" button is clicked, I simply assign the "C#" script to the button and call the Display() function in the On Click() section. In order to enhance the usability, a "Close" script will also be assigned to the close button that enable user to close the project details panel. 





[ Pinch & Zoom ]

The pinch and zoom feature was originally intended to help users concentrate on the information they wanted to see. However, since the user can simply move the phone closer to view the content they want to read, the function was removed from the prototype.









[ Printing ]


Fig 4.1 - Business Card Design Progress in Adobe Illustrator


My business card, which I created, is being printed up so that it appears more legitimate. In order to ensure optimal functionality, I had them printed in two distinct sizes: 85.60 x 53.98 mm and 115.569 x 74.969 mm.



Fig 4.1 - Final Business Card Design PDF





Final AR Biz Exch Presentation







REFLECTIONS


From the initial idea to the finished AR app prototype, constructing AR Biz Exch has involved an exhaustive exploration of design principles and user-centric considerations. The deliberate structuring of the app into three distinct sections, namely Owner Info, Social Media Profile Preview, and Promote Project, proved pivotal in catering to specific user needs. Owner Info provides a comprehensive understanding of the individual or entity behind the content, fostering transparency. Social Media Profile Preview streamlines user access to relevant online profiles with animated buttons, promoting cross-platform engagement. The Promote Project section strategically emphasizes and showcases specific projects or artworks, enhancing overall visibility.


However, this journey was not without its challenges. As a design student, venturing into the realm of AR app development was outside my comfort zone, posing a significant learning curve. Navigating unfamiliar software was a daunting task, and my initial unfamiliarity with the intricacies of the technology was a considerable hurdle. Overcoming this obstacle demanded extensive research, browsing, and seeking tutorials. The fear associated with my unfamiliarity was assuaged through collaboration with classmates who provided invaluable assistance. This collaborative learning experience not only facilitated my understanding of the software but also marked a significant improvement in my skills over time.


One of the most important aspects of improving the app's usability and aesthetics was the incorporation of visual elements like icons, animations, and images. Button animations improved the user experience and added a sophisticated touch, such as the fade-out effect. A key component in giving the prototype functionality was scripting. The "SwitchSocialMedia" script ensured a smooth transition between various social media profiles by enabling dynamic previews based on user interaction. Throughout the iterative design process, the interface was refined for usability, as seen by the addition of close buttons and scrolling effects to preserve a clutter-free user interface.

This experiential design project underscored the importance of balancing complexity and simplicity. While advanced features like dynamic previews and scripted functionalities were incorporated, the app remained intuitive and user-friendly. Clear navigation flows, coupled with direct buttons for social media visits and a "View More" feature for detailed project information, exemplified a thoughtful approach to user interaction. The decision to remove the pinch and zoom feature, deemed redundant given the user's ability to physically adjust device proximity, demonstrated a keen understanding of user needs.


In conclusion, the final prototype is not just a culmination of technical skills but a testament to the iterative and thoughtful evolution of an idea into an immersive AR experience. This experiential design journey has deepened my appreciation for the intricate interplay between design elements and user engagement, reinforcing the importance of a user-centric approach in crafting compelling digital experiences.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Design Research Dissertation / Final Compilation

Advanced Typography / Task 3 / Type Exploration and Application

Design Principle / Final Compilation & Reflection