Using Augmented Reality to Improve the Art Museum Experience
Independent Team Study: Zhané Leavey, Joseph Martin, Cayman Robson
Project Overview
The Augmented Reality Museum App is an innovative solution designed to enhance the user experience for visitors to the Louvre Museum. This app leverages augmented reality technology to provide an engaging and immersive way for users to explore the museum's vast collection of artwork. It is particularly useful for individuals who prefer to visit the museum alone and have limited knowledge about art.
The project's objective is to create a delightful and informative experience for users who wish to enjoy the Louvre Museum independently, without relying on extensive text-based information or guided tours. By leveraging augmented reality, the app aims to:
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Provide users with interactive and educational content that brings the artwork to life.​
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Encourage more users to visit the museum.
Expected Benefits
This application offers several benefits, including:
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Increased engagement and interaction with artworks, for users with limited knowledge of art.
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Enhanced learning experiences through immersive and interactive AR visualizations.
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Reduced reliance on traditional plaques and text-based information, which may prove challenging in an overcrowded museum.
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Improved navigation within the museum.
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Opportunities for increasing the number of museum visitors through social sharing features.
Team
Zhané Leavey
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UX Researcher, UX Designer, UI Designer, Product Designer, Usability testing
Joseph Martin
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UX Researcher, UX Designer, UI Designer, 3D Development, Product Designer
Cayman Robson
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UX Researcher, UX Designer, Content Strategy, UI Designer, Product Designer
Timeline
2 weeks​
Design tools
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ZapWorks
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Figma
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Figjam
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Google Workspace
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Adobe Cloud Suite
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Notion
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Discord
Our challenge was to prototype an Augmented Reality App that creates a better experience for visitors.
Understanding our Users
We put ourselves in the shoes of the user to understand the journey they might take when visiting a museum alone and using Augmented Reality technology to enhance their experience. We created a user journey map to outline their possible thoughts, pain points, and experiences, and brainstormed potential opportunities to improve this experience.
Users Research
Next, we conducted user surveys to better understand our users. We aimed to understand their experience with AR technology and identify any pain points they may have encountered.
These are a few key insights from the user surveys that helped us narrow down the content included in our solution.
Users Persona
User Stories
Based on our user insights, we identified user needs and brainstormed potential solutions
Based on our user insights, we identified user needs and brainstormed potential solutions
Based on our user insights, we identified user needs, and brainstormed potential solutions
How Might We's
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​How might we use AR technology to encourage and support visitors to feel confident about exploring the museum on their own?
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How might we design the AR experience to deliver contextual and biographical information about artworks and artists in a concise and engaging manner?
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How might we ensure an approachable, user-friendly, and enjoyable AR interface that enhances the museum experience?
User Flow
Generating ideas for an AR experiences
Sketching Solutions
We sketched out different versions of what the user journey might look like when using this AR Technology at the Louvre museum. We did a few “stand ups” to talk through the different sketch options and give feedback.
After evaluating my sketches, I decided to focus on three (3) AR interactions for a painting for users to interact with. Each interaction will address each of users expressed needs.
Based on user survey feedback and what users identified as important to them in a museum experience, we decided on the following design highlights in include in the AR technology experience.
Artist biography
Sketches of the artist's other works
The entire painting series of the focal painting.
Style Guide
A style guide were created by referencing the official Louvre website to match existing styles in typography, colors, edges, and overall visual style to create a seamless and familiar experience for users.
Prototyping in AR
Using ZapWorks, we created a prototype of our final solution.
User Feedback
Add some indicator that the cards are clickable to enlarge.
Adjust/remove back buttons from the “artist sketches”. Instead of a back icon on each card, add one larger back CTA on the screen
Possibly have some interactions not be just words to read
Next Steps
Design the AR technology experience into a mobile app.
Add additional artwork and relevant interactions to the app
Conduct user testing on the app to get user feedback to enhance their experience
