OUGD504 - Design for Screen - Design for Screen Critique

Below are the two distinct screen-based concepts devised to relieve and resolve the problems faced relating to interior wall covering selection, sampling and confident purchasing.

• Concept One - To create and design an engaging Style Library Visualiser iPhone app that relieves and aids the interior design process regarding the planning, selection and purchasing of wallpaper for the home using augmented reality technology to allow consumers to confidently identify and purchase a wall covering(s) from one of the Library's renowned brands.The app would allow the consumer to undertake the process with enjoyment and ease as they immerse themselves in the brands that provide to the Style Library and the wall coverings they sell. The primary function of the app is to resolve the most common limitations consumers are faced with when undertaking decorative challenges — such as selection and calculation - through live image capture of they augmented reality they create with the tap of the screen. 

• Concept Two - To create and design an engaging virtual reality head-set screen that relieves and aids the interior design process regarding the planning, selection and purchasing of wallpaper for the home using virtual reality to allow the consumer to see their interior dreams come to reality through immersion into computer-generated recreations of their home decorated with Style Library wall coverings. This screen design will enhance the targets ability to confidently and easily choose a wall covering as a result of the virtual reality head set allowing them to experience the interiors firsthand through authenticated user experience and reflection. 

• Target Audience Consideration - The target audience are those with a passion for interiors, with a particular interest in British design and decor, who are looking to or planning to decorate their walls with a wall covering available from one of the renowned brands featured within the Style Library. With an age range of 25 - 60 — ranging from the age of first time buyers / young working professionals to older persons more acquainted with the brands — the target will be confident in engagement with digital screen based platforms. These individuals will have financial stability and therefore will be able to afford and accept the prices of the leading renowned British brands of the Style library. The library provides a diverse range of styles so while this target are not exclusively drawn to one particular aesthetic, they will be cultured in design and interior fashion.

Question

Which concept do you believe provides a more effective resolution to the problem and why?

Response

• Concept One, the app is much more accessible and would also be a great tool.
• The app - having everything to do with the process in one place would shorten the time consuming process of shopping for wallpaper.
• Concept one is an engaging concept and suitable solution to the problem. This would be something my mum would like to use.
• I like the idea of number two but feel it would not be appropriate to the older end of your target audience. I think they would feel uncomfortable, so concept one.
• Concept two sounds more interesting.
• Concept one is more commercially viable and believable.
• I think the augmented reality app would be a really nice project.
• Concept two is more engaging but less target-appropriate. 
• Definitely the app.
• I would love to use the app!
• Two.
• Concept number two sounds far too advanced for your target.

Reflection

Although there was no unanimous response to the question, the clear majority winner is concept one. I am happy with this as I too held some of the concerns regarding concept number two being too technologically advanced for the older age range of the target audience. Feedback shows that it is believed that an augmented reality visualiser app will be engaging, more accessible, commercially viable as a project and a greater solution to the problem.