The Retail Installation highlights many skills and alternate experiences. This installation consists of four
stations, which allows customers to interact with the brand in a tactile way within the retail environment.
The
stations included are: an interactive catalogue, a rotating product, a touchscreen ordering, and a motion
graphics promotional station. For this project, the installation was developed for a fictional outdoor
brand,
calledDhimanOutdoors (read its accompanying case study here).
With exception to the motion graphics promotional station, a pre-existing code wireframe was provided for
each
station, and each one was re-worked to enforce the Dhiman Outdoors brand. Each of the stations were
required
to have a motion graphics screensaver that showcased instructions on how to use the station itself,
ultimately
improving the user experience of the installation.
View the project's demo video by clicking the play button on the video (audio is included, please have your
volume turned on).
Prior to planning the installation's layouts, it was important to fully grasp the purpose of each of the
stations, to ensure that the designs would feed into a positive user experience. This stage involved me
doing research on each individual station to understand its required assets, hardware and software,
alongside the environment of the installation itself.
Once I fully understood what would be involved in creating this installation, I moved onto developing
the
DhimanOutdoors' brand and its identity. The overview of this process can be seen in the accompanying
DhimanOutdoors Case Study.
With established brand guidelines to work with, I was ready to design the layout of the stations. As
mentioned earlier, most of the stations had a pre-existing code wireframe that I worked with, meaning
there
were restrictions on what could be designed/implemented; on the flip side, this also meant that I had a
rough guideline of what was possible. With this in mind, I went to my notebook, and brainstormed layouts
for
each station. To ensure the branding, themes, and overall experience were consistent throughout the
stations, I maintained uniformity in photo editing, animations, and styling when implementing my designs
into the code wireframe.
All photography and video assets were taken weeks prior to designing the interactive stations. I was
responsible for photographing and editing all the images featured throughout the installation, alongside
capturing a series of videos for the motion graphics' promotional station. In the process of meeting the
shotlist requirement that was given by the clients, I traveled to multiple trails, allowing me to not
only
use this footage in the motion graphics station, but in the series of promotional videos prepared for
DhimanOutdoors' social media pages.
Overall, the installation was designed to be intriguing, easy on the eye, and easy to use, ultimately
leaving users with a positive memorable experience.
Role
In addressing the challenges encountered during the development of my touch screen ordering app, I
implemented
strategic solutions to ensure a successful outcome. To overcome the integration complexities with
diverse
point-of-sale systems and restaurant databases, I developed a modular and scalable architecture. This
approach
facilitated seamless connectivity and adaptability to various technical environments. Focusing on user
experience, I
conducted extensive usability testing and feedback sessions, incorporating valuable insights to refine
the
touch
interface.
Achieving the right balance between functionality and design, I employed an iterative development
process, allowing for continuousenhancements based on user input. Concerning security, I implemented
robust
encryption protocols and regularly updated the app to address emerging threats, prioritizing the
protection
of
user
data and transactions. By adopting these solutions, the touch screen ordering app not only navigated the
challenges
successfully but also emerged as a reliable and user-centric solution, enhancing the overall dining
experience
for
users.
Project Specifications
Updatability
Searchability
Updatability
INTERACTIVE CATALOGUE
This station showcases an alternate input device. It is comparable to moving or picking up a regular
computer mouse, but has specific functions after a user interacts with one of three products. Alongside
products, the user is faced with a screensaver that is displayed on a flat screen monitor, which showcases
instructions on how to use the motion sensor product display. The instructions remain on the screensaver at
all times, meaning there is never a point where the user does not know how to begin. Adjacent to the
instructions, promotional content is displayed on the screensaver to intrigue users. It should be noted that
the screensaver will reappear after a specified idle time, ultimately resetting the user experience.
Once the user picks up a product from the table, the light sensor underneath the product is triggered,
telling the display monitor to show the selected product's correlating collection catalogue layout. From
this screen, the user can choose to press the product's accompanying button (located behind the product), to
learn more about the product they picked up. When the user is done with a product, they can place it back
over the light sensor in order to reset the display.
ROTATING PRODUCT
This station consists of a large display monitor and a small waist-height pedestal that contains a leap
motion controller. This equipment allows the user to interact with the station without having to touch
anything; ultimately, this station demonstrates a take on augmented reality via an alternate experimental
device to get a 360° view of the backpack. Like the other stations, the user is greeted with an animated
screen, offering some brief descriptions alongside instructions on how to interact with the device. The user
will be prompted to interact with the product on screen by following the steps shown in the instructional
tutorial animation. Similar to the previous station, this screensaver will re-emerge after a specified idle
time, resetting the experience.
Once the user places their hand 6 inches above the pedestal that is in front of them, they will notice a
virtual hand appear on screen that mimics their movements. As the user swipes their hand either left or
right, the backpack will rotate to its stop points, showcasing different features of the backpack. When the
user is at a stop point, instructions will appear, letting them know that they can swipe their hand up to
view more details about the backpack's features highlighted on the stop point screen. The user can continue
doing the previously mentioned actions until they make a full rotation of the backpack (get a full 360° look
of the backpack). The user fully controls this station by using different hand gestures over the pedestal.
TOUCHSCREEN ORDERING
Of all stations, this includes technology that is most common to come across during day to day living;
however, its application in the installation is advanced. This station is where a user can swipe through
different clothing items to find an outfit that they are interested in. The user will be welcomed with a
fashion based motion graphics on the screensaver, highlighting outfits and information promoting the
clothing. A screen recording of the screens that the user can go through will be displayed, showing the
options that the user has at this station once they interact with it. Similar to the other stations, this
screensaver will show again after a specified idle time, resetting the user experience. A diverse range of
garments will be available to been seen on human models, allowing the user to visualize how their outfit
would look like together. The user can view the details of each item, such as its name, price, colour,
features, etc. When the user is stratified with their crafted outfit, they can add it to their digital
shopping cart.
Within the shopping cart page, the user can further tailor the outfit to their liking by changing aspects,
like size and colour; users can even remove items from their cart, if they change their mind. Once the user
has finalized their order, the station will print a branded receipt that includes their order details. From
here, the user can follow the steps shown on screen, which will direct them to take the receipt to the
store's checkout counter, where they can then pay and receive their items.
