Giga AR Cooking App
Date: 12.2020 - 03.2021
My Role: UX and UI Design, User Testing
Cooking doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Vodafone Giga AR app, collaborating with Kitchen stories allows users to cook diverse dishes from the extensive recipes in augmented reality. Through a new and innovative technology, Vodafone and the Kitchen Stories team have made the cooking experience fun, new, and exciting.
Giga AR app consists of two main stories: Recipe and Cooking class led by German famous chef, Henssler. As the MVP version, total 10 recipes are provided by Kitchen stories. Users can follow each step of the recipe and cook in the mixed reality with using gaze and laser control. In a cooking class, users can interact with 3D modeled chef Henssler while cooking. They can listen, move, and pause Henssler’s 3D model.
In this project, I designed UI component by translating Vodafone Web and App into AR environment on a beautiful and holistic way. Also through this project, I learned AR/VR environment and design principles which are completely different from web and app.
Design Challenges
Reinterpret Vodafone Web and App style guidelines in AR Environment
Understand AR Environment
Design Modern and Holistic UI component in AR
My First AR Project…
Navigating through new territory, I embraced the challenges eagerly. Collaborating with a team of two talented designers, I dived into extensive research on AR/VR design principles and best practices. Our objective was to comprehend the nuances of user behavior in mixed reality and craft a multi-sensory user experience that would leave a lasting impression. As the project progressed, I meticulously conducted benchmarking exercises and comprehensive user testing, allowing us to refine our approach and gain valuable insights into the evolving AR landscape.
Get It Done in a Short Period of Time
As the UX consultant for this cutting-edge AR project, I was presented with the above initial design from an external agency. The UI components appeared haphazardly placed, lacking visual appeal, and accessibility. Moreover, the assortment of different button types caused confusion among users, hindering their seamless interaction with the app. To top it off, there was no clear concept on how users could immerse themselves in a unique cooking experience with chef Henssler.
The AR environment is a mixed reality. Imagine a circumstance that users cook Gnocchi wearing with AR glasses, following instruction in AR environment, using knife with one hand and then with the other hand, using laser control. Yes, it sounds very complicated environment!! Here is main points to design the app.
Rethink of UI components, concerning the cooking circumstance
How to translate Vodafone Web & App styles into AR environment on a beautiful way
Readability and Accessibility
Navigate different UI components
Make sure the user can complete cooking, following the app’s instruction
Deliver delightful cooking experience
Final Concept | Giga AR Cooking App
Based on a guideline of Microsoft Mixed Reality and Brand guideline, considering service identity, I focused on reinterpreting Vodafone Web and App Styles, reflecting AR environment, improving readability, and improving UI components on beautiful and holistic way, to deliver cooking fun and exciting.
Transforming Complexity into Success
Beautiful and Holistic Improvements : We crafted a seamless user experience. The app showcased delightful animations, modern design, and all harmonizing to deliver a beautiful and holistic AR interface.
Enhance Usability : We optimized UI components for intuitive interactions. Users were immersed in the cooking process, guided by chef Henssler, as they used a knife and controlled lasers to create Gnocchi.
Enhancing Readability : Recognizing the importance of clear communication within the AR realm, I focused on enhancing readability. Thoughtful typography choices, readjusting content’s amount, and a placement of text and information, allowed users to effortlessly follow chef Henssler's instructions while staying immersed in the culinary journey.
Embracing Vodafone Brand Identity into AR/VR environment.
Password: VFar2021!
Final Concept | Giga AR Smartphone Controller
Password: VFar2021!
Evaluation | Expert Testing
Due to the limited time, we conducted an expert testing. We invited 1 UX designer, 1 UX researcher, 1 Editor, and 1 Business Analyst. We focused on navigation and accessibility parts in our testing to ensure that users are capable of navigating app with gaze and laser control easily. To have established on feedbacks, we resized general UI component’s bigger thus, the user can easily interact with it, read contents and decreased a loading time for gaze control. In addition, we repositioned 3D modle avatar, reset its sound volume, and added resize function of the avatar.
Self-Reflection | What I learned
Understand AR Design: Through this project, I gained valuable expertise in designing for Augmented Reality environments, by learning how to create visually captivating and intuitive UI components that seamlessly integrate with the AR experience. Based on that, I also designed the second Vodafone AR app, Giga AR Gymondo(Fitness app).
Innovative Problem-Solving: Confronting the unique challenges of designing an AR app from scratch, I honed my problem-solving skills.
User-Centered Approach: Understanding how users interacted with the AR environment enabled me to enhance accessibility and create an engaging experience that delighted and captivated users.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Impactful User Experience: By infusing excitement and joy into the culinary adventure, we crafted impactful and delightful user experiences
Embracing Innovation: As my first AR venture, this project challenged me to embrace innovation and embrace the unknown. The experience instilled in me a passion for pushing the boundaries of design and exploring new frontiers.