OUGD504 - Design for Screen: Identifying Similar Utilities

With developments in virtual and augmented reality technologies reaching the mainstream, the ability to explore, create and envision the capabilities of the digital world in our own surroundings has never been easier. Applications for smartphones and tablets appear to be at the forefront of this rapid emergence in altered reality, such as those featured below:

Dulux Colour Visualizer

The Dulux colour visualiser allows the user to use augmented reality at the tap of a finger to search, shop and save the entire Dulux colour range after applying the colour(s) of their choosing to their own interior and exterior walls live or on an existing photograph. Optimised for both mobile phone and tablet formats, this app provides the user with ability to choose colours with confidence and ease safe in the knowledge that their decision is justified. 

The app uses the brand's print-collateral visual language, including contrasting edged rectangles and bold colour, translated into screen format. Using clear iconography, the user is able to navigate the app seamlessly from the bar at the bottom of the screen. 

Majoritively a simple, clean and clear layout - though at times complex as a result of multiple layering and translucent colour - the app's user experience is easy, enjoyable and above all problem solving. Gone are the days you buy the wrong colour paint. 

DFS Room Planner

The DFS sofa and room planner uses augmented reality to explore how a new sofa would look in their own living room without having to actually buy one. The app allows its user to solve an abundance of problems regarding scale, colour, texture and spacial clarity via virtual representation of interior rooms as well as live imagery augmentation. 

Using a series of pictograms to direct and evoke exploration from the user, the functionality of the app appears clear and distinct. 

The iPad app makes use of the blue and pink colour scheme associated with the brand to highlight the navigation of the app and the users exploration of its pages.With the design bearing three-dimensional style buttons and bars, the app could benefit from a less overbearing 'virtual' aesthetic. The navigation of the app should be experienced naturally, subconsciously even as the user experiences the utility guided by instinct and not heavy menus, bars and buttons.

IKEA Augmented Reality Catalogue

The 2014 IKEA catalogue worked with the IKEA app on smartphones and/or tablets by having its  customers put the catalogue on the floor as a marker and then selecting the product they want to see in that location via the app.The room is shown live on-screen through the camera on the device and then a chosen object can be superimposed as though in-situ.

The app and catalogue combination work together with help from augmented reality to provide customers with the ability to test out the products they’ve seen and been inspired by in the catalogue within in their own homes. Augmented reality offers a way of using mobile technology to enable to product testing - meaning the technology has a practical purpose in helping customers visualise the way their homes could look.

Similarly to the Scandinavian products available from the store, the app appears minimalistic and therefore suggests a utility that is clear and easy to use.