mobile native Apps
How might we improve the discoverability of Galaxy native features?
Galaxy S10 - AR Zone application
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Galaxy S10 - Bixby Vision application
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Galaxy S20 - 3D Scanner application
MY ROLE
Project lead
Only UX designer collaborated with 1 visual designer
Roadmap for implementation, iteration for shipping the devices
Collaborated SW engineer, PM, marketers
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Doubled AR app usage
Problem
Only 17.5% of users are aware of the most expensive features of their smartphones.
Only 7.2% of users are used those features.
"I need to admit that I'm not using all the features of my phone."
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"Wow! Can I do AR on my phone? But what does it do?
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- User interview
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Process
Research
According to Samsung's internal analysis,
Native AR apps in smartphones use sensors that make the device expensive, but the usage rate is relatively low.
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There were no AR apps that owners reported using often or recently.
Most users said they were unaware that their Galaxy had AR features. After experiencing the features, users said they were interested and would use them occasionally.
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I found that I needed a way for users to find AR features.
Iteration
Ideation for letting users find AR features easier, faster.
I proposed to provide AR function in one app because they tend to go through their app tray when looking for a specific feature.
The development team suggested that it makes sense for maintaining the entry point of AR features inside the camera app. Because some AR features use the camera.
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I found that some features would be difficult for users to understand what had just happened by observing users' behavior.
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Some AR functions had technical limitations to activate.
One feature had the condition to promote the product well from a business point of view.
Design
Before
AR functions were scattered here and there
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After
Add an access point as one standalone application can access AR functions
IMPACT
Stimulated the imagination and creativity
Insight​ #1.
Adoption
Let users find the value of features
I found that users rarely discover that there are AR features available on the Galaxy phones they own. So I designed AR Zone app for letting users easy to access and understand all mobile AR features. The usage of each application has doubled after launching AR Zone.
Galaxy S20, S10 AR Zone, gathering AR features all together
I gathered all AR functions provided by the Galaxy 20 into one app, and designed the application for providing an arcade feeling where game consoles are gathered.
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For letting users know what each AR functions do before running them, we applied large moving descriptive icons.
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And to prevent boredom, I made several icons and provided different characters or different motions whenever a certain amount of time passed.
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The name of the application, AR Zone, was decided through an internal competition within the design team.
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Expanding various form factors
Insight​ #2
Task success
Help users complete their goals quickly and easily
I found that AR features provided too many text guides because they have technical limitations for use.
Updated the guides in more user-friendly ways using affordances and colors.
Galaxy S10 Home decor
The Home decor app, which is accessed from the AR Zone, provides an experience of virtually arranging the size and color of home appliances provided by Samsung to see how well they fit in homes.
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Due to the large size of the product, there must be sufficient space around the user for the AR experience, and the floor around the user must be recognized in order to place the product.
I added a visual affordance and guide so that this process would not be too difficult for users.
Galaxy S20 3D Scanner
Creating my own content in a virtual space, accompanied a learning curve for learning a tool with a 3D-oriented learning curve.
The 3D scanner app allows users to create digital twins of any product at any time with their Galaxy phone.
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In order to scan an object, the user has to keep an appropriate distance from the object, and for this purpose, we provide a red line when the user is too far away or too close, and a green guide when the user is at an appropriate distance.
Wireframe
Final deign
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Insight #3
Happiness
Help users to find the features fun and easy to use.
AR is not an unfamiliar or difficult technology, it's a fun technology that anyone can easily access. I tried to bring exciting AR experiences to many users. I expect people to get creative and bring their own AR service ideas to the world.
Galaxy S10 Makeup
The Beauty app, which can be accessed from the AR Zone, provides an experience of virtual makeup and different hair colors without damaging their hair in real life.
During the pandemic, my users could try various makeovers without having to visit the store without worrying about allergies or skin hypersensitivity. And the cosmetic companies that were my partners at the time could easily reach users.
What's more, I believe it helped let users know that AR is not an unfamiliar or difficult technology, it's a fun technology that anyone can easily access.
digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-try-on-and-purchase-products-using-the-galaxy-s9-makeup-feature/