Proposal

Design Planning and Software

by ward2021

App

As the app represents the more significant component of the project, it is my primary focus. I’ve curated a Pinterest board to collect app designs centred around AR, as depicted in the figure below. Whilst these designs are on different topics than my major project, they will give me a rough idea of the functions and aesthetics of the app. I intend for the app’s aesthetics to resemble the iOS design. Fortunately, Apple offers a style guide that will be invaluable when creating the app prototype, as I aspire to make it as realistic as possible.

Figure 1: A screenshot of a Pinterest board that I compiled during my research into how others have designed their AR apps.

I plan to utilise Figma as my chosen software. Based on my prior experience, I’ve found Figma to be more user-friendly, allowing me to create highly precise designs by offering robust support for padding and margin, closely resembling Cascading Style Sheets. This enables me to design to a standard that mirrors the real technologies used in building the application. Furthermore, Figma provides the capability to establish reusable components throughout the design process, fostering a standardised approach to elements and saving valuable time that would otherwise be spent duplicating the same elements.

App Example

I’ve generated three preliminary designs to provide a glimpse into what I intend to create and the desired visual aesthetics. The colour scheme, logo, and typography have not been determined at this stage. As a result, these elements may differ when finalising the app design later in the project.

Figure 1: I’ve crafted some initial designs to offer a general impression of the app’s potential appearance. Please note that these designs are not final, and they lack elements like the logo. I created these designs using Figma, the software I plan to use for the final product.

*The image I have used in the app design is referenced in the references.

The potential plan of the UX flow is in the image below.

Figure 1.1: This is my project plan which was included in the proposal introduction which gives an insight to the UX flow.

3D Modelling

While 3D modelling plays a minimal role in this project, serving primarily as a supplementary element, I am committed to crafting my designs rather than relying on existing online resources. To accomplish this, I intend to use two Autodesk applications, CAD and Maya. I will use CAD to generate precise blueprints for the final 3D model, then the designs from CAD will be imported into Maya, where I will bring the plans to life. The advantage of using CAD in conjunction with Maya lies in the seamless transferability of designs, significantly streamlining the modelling process.

Just as I aim for the app’s appearance to be as realistic as possible, I also desire the other components to exude a high degree of realism, hence the need for accurate house design.

The illustration below serves as a precedent where I have previously employed CAD. The image showcases orthographic projections on the Villa Savoye, a renowned architect Le Corbusier’s creation. I plan to undertake a similar approach, which I will later import into Maya to transform the designs into 3D models.

Figure 3: A screenshot of a CAD drawing I had previously created, based on the Villa Savoye, showcasing my prior use of the software for a similar purpose.

Marketing

The project presents an excellent opportunity to incorporate an additional graphic design element: marketing. I intend to feature examples of print advertisements and integrate social media marketing. My primary software will be Illustrator, complemented by various other Adobe applications, which will enable the creation of realistic mockup images to enhance the project’s authenticity.

The marketing strategies primary objective is to attract users to the app. The most effective approach is to leverage QR codes and other digital marketing techniques. Typically, when individuals encounter an ad on their mobile devices, they are inclined to engage with it immediately, making digital and social media marketing highly advantageous. On the other hand, print marketing also offers the potential to drive many users to the app. For instance, when purchasing a home, many companies provide brochures, and within these brochures, I can incorporate QR codes.

Print Marketing Examples

The two images below offer brief examples of print marketing that are best suited for the subject of my project. As I intend to incorporate QR codes, it’s essential to have signs that people can approach and scan. The design in Figure 4 is relatively simple, ensuring that the QR code is prominently visible. Whilst in Figure 5 there is more to the design, the QR code is still noticeable.

Figure 4: A screenshot of a poster displayed on a sign post.
Figure 5: A screenshot of a poster displayed at a bus stop.
Both images feature similar examples of how they have integrated QR codes into the design of their marketing posters.

Social Media Marketing

Social media plays a significant role in establishing brand visibility and recognition. There are various methods people employ on social media to promote their products. The most notable are:

  • Influencer paid/pr/gifted promotions
  • Paid sponsored posts within the Meta groups
  • YouTube Ads
  • TikTok Ads

As the target audience primarily falls within the category of homebuyers, the age range will commence at 18. However, it’s worth noting that the average age of a homebuyer in 2023 is reported to be 34, as indicated by Uswitch. Given this demographic insight, selecting the appropriate platforms for optimising the product’s marketing efforts becomes crucial. Below, you can find statistics detailing the popularity of Facebook and Instagram among various age groups.

Figure 6: Instagram
Figure 7: Facebook
Both charts depict the relationship between social media usage, the percentage of app users within specific age groups, and gender. The trend observed in both graphs reveals that the most active age groups on these platforms are typically between 18 and 34 years old, which aligns with the average age of a homebuyer and further confirms these are the two best platforms to market my project on.

Considering that Instagram and Facebook are the most widely used social media platforms within the targeted demographic, the next aspect to explore is the anatomy of sponsored posts. The figures below highlight the key elements of these posts, which are essential to consider when designing sponsored content for social media.

Figure 8: Instagram
Figure 9: Facebook
Both figures provide a detailed breakdown of Instagram and Facebook, dissecting each feature of sponsored posts and stimulating considerations on creating successful sponsored content.

AR Feature

Although I cannot create a physical app containing an AR feature, I am eager to put AR software into use for my project. I intend to investigate Adobe Aero and Zapworks to determine which software best aligns with my objectives and is most suitable for my subject matter. As of writing this proposal, I have yet to have the opportunity to test either software, but I plan to document my progress in the development log section of this assignment.

The following example demonstrates the integration of AR, QR codes, and their application in the real estate sector. This example closely aligns with the concept I aim to explore using AR software.

Figure 10: This screenshot is taken from the video “AR App Idea: Interactive Realtor Resources for Open Houses,” found on the Torch YouTube channel. It offers a glimpse of the outcomes of scanning a QR code into AR software.

The screenshot presented above is taken from the video provided below. This video, available on the Torch Apps YouTube channel, demonstrates their AR app, designed to improve the home buying process for estate agents and potential buyers. This app incorporates a blend of 2D and 3D elements, offering an engaging and informative resource that real estate agents can provide to their clients, ensuring they have all the essential information required during the home buying process.

I cannot personally test the app myself, as it’s not downloadable in the UK. However, it does provide a general idea of how I intend to utilise AR software for my project.

Figure 11: The video “AR App Idea: Interactive Realtor Resources for Open Houses,” available on the Torch YouTube channel, serves as a tutorial and demonstration, illustrating how they integrated AR into the home buying process.

Matterport

After researching Matterport, I do want to consider the way in which they use AR and potentially use similar features which they provide and incorporate them into the AR part of my project.

References

Image used in the app design

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