QAG Sphere
Key Words: Interaction Design, UI/UX
Skills: Researching, Storytelling, Function Mapping, Wireframing, Prototyping
Tools: Adobe Photoshop, After Effect, Proto io.
[Exhibited in CreateX 2018, Brisbane]
Introduction
QAG Sphere is a user interface solution, created for Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), and it aims to increase the digital engagement of the young adult and their level of educational experience with the QAG’s Australian Art Collection.
QAG Sphere is also an art installation project that acts as a centre piece in the gallery with the aids of mobile application which acts as the remote control and journal collection throughout the gallery experience.
How to use?
1.
Get started
Scan QR code & Download the App & Login
(Guess-login provides an option to access the app easier)
2.
See What's On at the gallery
preview or review
3.
Guide to the Sphere
Step on the footprint (Beacon Technology area)
Projection Mapping automatically connects to your smartphone
You can control the sphere interface now
4.
Explore different regions in Australia
Information would be projected on the sphere
5.
Collection
If you fancy an art-piece, simply add it to your collection.
6.
Community
Share the art-piece with Community to friends or a forum
7.
Interaction
Zoom in the art piece closer to details for more information.
Swipe up to leave a comment and check out what everyone else think
8.
Navigation
Up close the person with the art piece
9.
Single art-pieces - AR function
Remind and navigate you based on your interest points
10.
Review
Review and discuss your collection with friends or even a stranger
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Planning on your next or first visit
Preview others collection to give yourself an idea
Design Analysis & Process
The challenges identified for the user group:
[Interaction] How to increase interaction between young adults and artwork within the collection space?
[Education] How to engage but also educates young adults in art and artwork process?
[Engagement] How to increase young adult engagement without distracting from the collection?
[Collection enhancement] How to enhance the collection to meet the different needs of young adults?
[Collection enhancement] How to enhance the collection to meet the different needs of young adults?
Aim
QAG Sphere aims to answer all these challenges in one. By integrating a number of user technologies to create an experience that will not only enhance the gallery’s collection but will also leave a lasting impression for the user.
Case Studies
The Pen (Cooper Hewit, Museum),
Mobile Application(National Museum of Singapore),
Projection Mapping(Vivid Sydney Light Festival),
Projection Mapping(Vivid Sydney Light Festival),
ROM Ultimate Dinosaurs(Royal Ontario Museum).
Interaction Challenges
QAG Observation HUB
Disconnection
The major observation made from QAGs gallery space, was their disconnection relationship on the target audience (young adult) between the QAG Australian hub and the Australian Collection.
Interface
The Hubs interface is stiff and disorganised, it does not provide a clear user-friendly interface, with click- through options going nowhere and very technical.
Space
The physical space of the HUB sits apart from the Australian collection, and the space is not inviting for the visitor mode. The physical space of the Australian Collection is laid out well, with plenty of space between each artwork and gallery space.
Navigation
With a lack of way finding and general categorising of the artwork in the Australian Collection, visitors feel overwhelmed and uncertain of how to approach the collection.The didactics are convoluted in their terminology, and are small and hard to read.
Target Audience
The visitor mode of young adults has short attention spans. This means that with the Australian Hub inside the gallery, young adults able to further explore the artworks and artists instead of going through every Australian Collection artworks inside the gallery. They tend to seek for quick and easy way of consuming massive informations and they are also technology savvy and seek for experiences that capitalise on the innovative technology.
Micro-focus Solutions
The design incorporates a number of technologies to seamlessly create a user experience that enhances engagement and interaction with young adults that visit the gallery. The users motivations for visiting the gallery are primarily social. They are after ease of use in wayfinding and seek the fast consumption of media.
Therefore the design encourages these elements within a App and structural spheres that sit within the Australian Collection. The app, can be used as a remote, using beacon technology, to control the interface that is projected onto the sphere’s surface via projection mapping, allowing visitors to explore a map of Australia, the differents artwork and artists on the sphere, via the app. It also uses AR, for individualised wayfinding so the visitor is shown where to go to view a piece of artwork up close.
Emerging Technologies
Beacon | Augmented Reality | Projection Mapping | Artificial Intelligence | Remote
User Experience Map
(Comparing Normal Visitors & QAG Sphere Users)
Potential Impact
Young adults | Other ages visitors | Artists | Museum & Gallery | Culture
Conceptual Design
Ideals and values
The main purpose of the sphere is not just to make an innovative and engaging sculptural piece of interface design, but it generates both online and verbal discussion between visitors.
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Families and friends are able to share the interface, and comment on pieces at a broader level, as opposed to just having a mobile application based interface.
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The value is in the experience of sharing the engagement of the sphere, with others, and gaining a more in depth idea of the artwork and the stories of artists behind those artworks.
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The ideal is that this done in a captivating and engaging environment where visitors are excited to explore the gallery and the interface design concept, increasing the interaction with the Australian collection and gaining valuable experiences that they can reflect upon in fondness, after leaving QAG and the gallery.
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A.I. will also be incorporated for both security purposes, and for personalised way-finding based of the users likes and comments on artworks, giving recommendations of pieces within the collection and where to locate them.
Part 1 - The QAG Sphere App
Part 2 - The QAG Sphere
Design Rationale
Style - simplified design principles
It gives users a mature and professional, and concise visual experience.
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Colour - dark and light grey | white
Grey colour provides a strong simplistic foundation as grey represents the gallery’s neutrality, stability, elegance and some sense of technology.
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White color is used to portray the cleanliness and readability on the application. White color is also considered to be the color of perfection. The other reason of choosing this minimalistic approach is to be distinguish with the style of QAG Australian Collection’s gallery as the gallery is filled with the colours.
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Typography - san-serif
A san-serif ‘Avant Garde Bk BT (Book Style)’ is chosen to be the typeface of the mobile application. The chosen typeface enhances the readability and user experience on the application. Beside that, the font also creates an immersive feeling when it combined with the overall style guide of the application.
Storyboard
Wireframes
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Teammate: Derui HE, Daniel Tan, Cairo Sauvage & Willian Cikes
