AROUND
2024
Around AR
Tourism App
Around is an augmented reality (AR) app tailored for nighttime tourism in Edinburgh. It combines cutting-edge spatial computing technology and AR content to create an interactive experience blending travel, exploration, learning, keeping safe and entertainment in real-world settings.
Background
Night falls earlier and travel itineraries are shortened during winter.
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. Edinburgh's historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK's second-most visited tourist destination. However, with the onset of wintertime at the end of October, nights become exceptionally long, darkness falls as early as 3-4 pm, the duration of a tourist's journey is severely shorted and limited entertainment is insufficient to entice them out after dark.
Winter is considered a low season in Edinburgh.
AR App Design
Type
Feb - April 2024 (3 months)
Timeline
Product Designer
Role
User Research, UI/UX Design, Prototyping, 3d modeling
Responsibilities
I initiated this project from scratch, Including discovery, ideation, strategic development,requirements definition, and user experience design. I utilized Edinburgh as a pivotal setting for exploring Harry Potter-themed storytelling and AR technology.
Overview
Although most businesses believe their profits are declining as tourist numbers drop.
But judging from official data, winter tourism still has huge untapped potential.
We should consider a simple way to facilitate tourists exploring the city at night to increase footfall.
Business Challenge
Figures quotedfrom VisitScotland (2019).
Duration of Stay
37% of Tourists stay for 4-7 nights
69% of tourists travel
for their holiday
34% of tourists travel
in wintertime(Oct-Mar)
Purpose of Travel
Seasonality
4-7 nights
8-14 nights
37%
31%
19%
13%
15+ nights
1-3 nights
Holiday
VFR*
69%
20%
9%
2%
Other
Business
Jul-Sep
Apr-Jun
38%
28%
19%
15%
Jan-Mar
Oct-Dec
Even though tourists desire a deeper, richer nighttime travel experience and gain knowledge about the city or cultural heritage in Edinburgh. However, they often face navigation/safety/experience issues when travelling around at night, they also lack the right tools and resources to improve their experiences.
Design Challenge
Design an AR travel app to elevate nighttime tourism experiences in Edinburgh.
It combines cutting-edge spatial computing technology and AR content to create an interactive experience blending travel, exploration, learning, and entertainment in real-world settings.
Goal
Define the Audience
Young Tourists Who like to explore at night
The target audience of Around is oriented towards those younger generations who like to travel and spend their holiday in Edinburgh.
Image quoted from Figma. (n.d.).
They like the cultural heritage as well as interested in the story of Harry Potter.
Their Lifestyle
They have a keen interest and enthusiasm for advanced technologies such as AR, VR.
They have a strong desire to explore the diverse entertainment
at night.
User Interview
I conducted user interviews in places frequented by tourists, and the interviewees were around 20-30 years old. We collected their pain points and potential needs as they travel around at night.
Images quoted from Unsplash (n.d.).
It is easy to get lost walking in a new city.
Navigation difficulties
Before Travel
I don’t know the history, culture and localised activities in Edinburgh.
Lack of interactive experience
During Travel
I'm worried about my safety while walking on an isolated road.
Safety Concerns
After Travel
Key Findings
Information Architecture
Three tabs were identified to present all features, namely Home, AR Mode, and Me.
Before travel, users can explore the different kind of trips on Discover Page.
During travel, users can simply interact with the cultural heritage and fantastic beasts through AR Mode.
After travel, users can manage their own profile and travel history/wishlists on Me Page.
Prioritization Matrix
Below is the list of all the ideas about the application, with identified and prioritized features
based on the users painpoints and needs.
Usability Testing
Four target users were invited to join the usability testing, and update the design based on their feedback.
“I love the Map Mode a lot”
Map mode lets me know what kind of routes work best for me.
“AR mode offers me a fabulous experience”
Interacting with the fantastic beasts in AR mode is very unique and interesting, I could also learn some history and knowledge from it.
“I hope I could know more in Map mode”
It would be best if you let me know what kind of fantastic beasts I will encounter along the route in map mode.
“I hope I could explore more entertainment”
It would be best if I could explore more entertainment
when I finish the current journey.
Wire-Framing
Verify the rationality of product logic through wireframe, and update it quickly.
Call up different interaction modes based on different locations.
AR Mode
Overall wireframe
Surprise
Performance
Historic
Explanation
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Home Page
Map Mode
Detail Page
VR Mode Guideline
VR Mode
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Creating the characters based on the magical creatures in the Harry Potter story, catering to the aesthetic and needs of young people through a plush style.
Final Design
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Considering the copyright issues of Harry Potter, the designs do not aim for a perfect replication of
existing character designs. Instead, this series of characters adopts a rounded and cute appearance
while trying to preserve the colors and characteristics of the animals, eyebrows, or limbs,
making it easier for users to make associations.
An augmented reality (AR) app tailored for nighttime tourism in Edinburgh.
Around
Final Design
Before Travel
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Users can explore their favorite routes
and AR experiences through different categories
and recommended content on the homepage.
Normal Mode
Users can also quickly enter map mode
to explore their favorite routes and AR experiences
based on their location information.
Map Mode
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
During Travel
During the journey, users can enter AR mode to interact with historical sites, and learn about local culture and history under the guidance of mysterious creatures.
Clear and Smart Route
Smart Navigation
Interesting interaction
Historical site
Fantastic Beasts
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Photo
Mode
Interactive
Game
After the trip, some other entertainment activities will be recommended. In addition, users can also manage personal information and travel records on Me Page, and communicate with customer service.
Manage
Personal Travels
Recommend
For You
After Travel
Surprise
Performance
Surprise
Coupons
Interactive
Game
Photo
Mode
Thanks for reading!
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