As the deadline looms for the Virtual Market module (TMA1402), it is time to approach the task of finalising the designs and concepts for the augmented reality (AR) cards. My initial concept of having four types of card had sustained throughout the project. A welcome card that will be the viewers first experience with AR for Unexpected Joy, a card that explains more about the use of AR and reminding the viewers to keep their phones with them to take full advantage of the experience. Creator cards that showcase our team members, complete with a photograph of the team member, their name and specialism and then finishing off with a quotation from them about that particular piece. The last is a Thank You card that ends the experience and credits the whole team. These cards have been in the design process since the decision was made that this was the direction I would like to experiment with and challenge myself with, for this module. Throughout the development of the online experience by Karolina (heading up the website and 3D experience creation with myself and Ashleigh helping on various aspects of the website), some additions have naturally occurred through this process, such as space for larger cards on the desktop version using “pop-up” features on Wix.
As I reflect on this design process as I develop the final concepts, there are areas for development that are becoming clear to me. The first is the software used for this project. With the concept, and challenge, of designing with augmented reality in mind, I naturally started to work on Adobe Illustrator, using the preset artboard size for an iPhone X. This has caused no issue though the design creation and using the software that I am most confident in has allowed for efficient, however, as I start to reflect I am faced with the question of why did I not also challenge myself to use Adobe XD, one of the newer software on the Creative Suite, that is specifically designed for the creation of User Interface and User Experience (UI & UX) graphics. Would this have aided the design of the AR cards or simply slowed the process down due to my limited knowledge of the software and its features? Would learning this software alongside the functionality and basics of augmented reality and the software available (Adobe Aero, Lens Studio and Hiro for example) be too much to take on for this projects time frame? Part of me as a curious person would if given the opportunity, like to have truly thrown myself in at the deep end and challenged myself to not use the software I am most comfortable with at all. However, I must also be realistic when thinking about the project and not only focus on the outcomes but also the methodology as well, such as the research that must be undertaken at the early stages, the time taken for team calls and discussions and then the, sometimes forgotten, aspect of some work and life at home balance to ensure that I do not burn out my creative energy.
These questions are not to say that I am unhappy with the outcomes so far and how they are developing over these final days of the project. They are simply reflections on how I would potentially approach the project and my own personal aims differently if the project were to be repeated.
Visual documentation of card design experimentations:
Comments