ARitize 360
Bridging Mobile Capture and Web Management for 3D Asset Creation
(My Early Journey as Nextech's First Product Designer)
Nextech AR
2020
Overview
ARitize 360 was a B2B application designed to enable eCommerce businesses to capture and create 3D models of their products using mobile devices. As Nextech's first Product Designer, I led the design of its mobile capture app, web management platform, and established its brand and visual identity. This project, developed over four weeks, presented unique technical challenges that ultimately influenced its product focus. This case study details the design process, highlighting how the brand and user experience were defined, and the key learnings that shaped my approach to product design.
Project Timeline
March 2020 - April 2020
(4 weeks)
Product
3D Asset Capture App
Web Based Content Management Site
Responsive Marketing Site
My Roles
Product Designer
Research & Strategy
Visual Identity & Branding
Marketing Material
The Design Challenge
The design challenge focused on enabling non-technical users to create 3D models of physical products using mobile devices. Traditional 3D scanning was complex and costly. My design sought to simplify this process.
My approach involved conducting research to understand the typical workflow of creating 3D models and identifying the barriers for non-professionals. This initial exploration led to key insights, including:
The complexity and cost of traditional 3D scanning
.png)
The potential of smartphone cameras for basic 3D capture
.png)
The need for clear guidance and user feedback on capturing and techniques
Lo-fi Design Challenge Wireframes
Designing the ARitize 360 Mobile Capture App and Web Management Platform
Following my successful completion of the design challenge, the initial concepts evolved into the ARitize 360 ecosystem, comprising a mobile application for 3D model capture and a web-based platform for managing and accessing the processed 3D assets.
My role as the sole Product Designer involved defining the user experience for both the mobile and web components, ensuring a seamless transition for users throughout the 3D model creation lifecycle. This required careful consideration of the different contexts and user needs for each platform.
Task Flow Diagram: App and Web Platform Connection
Customers could begin their journey on either the web or mobile app. This diagram illustrates the typical user flow, detailing the steps involved in capturing a product with the mobile app, uploading it for processing, and then managing and purchasing the resulting 3D model via the web platform.
Establishing the Core Visual Language
Due to the project's four-week timeline and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the visual identity for ARitize 360 was developed under significant time pressure. While a graphic designer created the logo and initial graphics, my focus was on establishing the core visual language to ensure a functional and consistent user experience across the mobile app, web platform, and marketing site resulting in a unified user experience and streamlined development process. This involved:
-
Defining the Color Palette: I established a color palette focused on clarity and usability, selecting primary colors like dark teal, white, pale blue, and dark gray.
-
Developing Typography Guidelines: I selected a clear and readable typography system for UI elements and content.
-
Creating Core UI Components: I designed the essential UI components (buttons, forms, navigation) to ensure consistency and functionality across the different platforms.
Primary
Secondary
Icons
Cards
Text
Aa
Works Sans
Key Mobile Capture App Features
The primary goal of the mobile app was to guide users through the process of capturing suitable video footage for 3D model reconstruction. Key features included:
User Onboarding & Account Management
A straightforward sign-up and login process allows users to quickly access the app and begin capturing 3D models, reducing initial friction and enabling a faster start to their workflow.
Guided Capture Techniques
In-app guidance optimized for capturing footwear addresses technical constraints related to texture and shape, empowering users to capture high-quality footage even with limited technical expertise, leading to better 3D model accuracy.
Recording & Capture Saving
A simple and intuitive interface for recording video of the object using the phone's camera provides users with a seamless and efficient capture experience, minimizing errors and ensuring successful data capture.
Uploading and Processing
Functionality to initiate the upload to the server for 3D model processing streamlines the workflow, allowing users to quickly send their captured data for conversion without needing external tools or complex file management.
Watch ARitize 360 in Action
Key Content Management Platform Features:
The web app served as the central hub for users to access, manage, and utilize their processed 3D models and account. Key features included:
Sign in and Account Management
Secure sign-in and access to account and content protect user data and provide easy access to their 3D models, ensuring a secure and personalized experience.
Model Preview & Inspection
Tools for viewing and inspecting the 3D models in detail enable users to thoroughly assess and validate the quality of their captures, ensuring accuracy and reducing the need for rework.
Model Pricing & Purchasing
A clear pricing model display page and shopping cart simplify the purchase process, allowing users to easily understand costs and complete transactions efficiently, streamlining their path to acquiring 3D assets.
Marketing Site
The marketing site played a vital role in converting potential customers by highlighting the benefits of ARitize 360 and guiding them toward action. The homepage emphasized the product's key advantages, the pricing page clearly outlined investment options, and the account creation flow streamlined the onboarding process. This design focused on creating a clear and compelling path for users to learn about and adopt ARitize 360.
Outcomes & Learnings:
ARitize 360 provided valuable insights into the potential and limitations of mobile 3D capture. While the initial broad application was constrained by technical challenges and cost considerations, the project yielded key learnings that have significantly influenced my approach to product development.
The importance of early technical feasibility assessment in innovative product development.
The importance of clear user guidance: This was especially for technically challenging tasks like 3D capture. Effective onboarding and in-app instructions are essential for user success.
Balancing ambitious product visions with realistic technical capabilities and cost considerations
Conclusion
This early work on ARitize 360, with its unique mobile capture to web management flow, was foundational in my understanding of the 3D/AR ecosystem and continued to inform my strategic decisions as Director of Product Design at Nextech. It highlighted the importance of user-centered design in overcoming technical hurdles and creating accessible solutions for complex technologies.