Florascope
Empowering knowledge with AR
Visitors often overlook details about the diverse plant collections as they walk through the scenic views of CSUF's arboretum. Florascope was created to engage and educate visitors about them.
Tools
Aero
Dimension
Illustrator
Blender
Role
Brand Designer
UX/UI Designer
Duration
Jan 2024 to May 2024
Project Type
UX/UI
AR
CHALLENGE
How can visitors increase their engagement with the arboretum’s plant collections and learn more about its unique stories with AR?
GOALS OF THE AR EXPERIENCE
Journey with a Tour Guide Avatar
During the adventure, the tour guide helps the user navigate through the large arboretum
Interactive Storytelling
A fun narrative through the blend of sight, sound, and touch makes the experience immersive and memorable
Fun Features
Integrating various activities boost the user’s engagement with the plant collections
Design Journey
I began the project by empathizing with the user and brainstorming features that would make the experience user-friendly. Site visits to the arboretum allowed me to continuously test and refine the design to develop an effective solution.
Meet the Users
I created two personas focusing on young adults eager to make an environmental impact, which helped me empathize with the end user's needs, frustrations, and habits.
Scene Breakdown
Creating visuals of the scenes helped me identify potential challenges during the journey.
Creating the soft, warm, and inviting brand identity
GENERATING WITH AI
The tour guides, inspired by POP MART figures, were generated in Midjourney. Each guide is unique and reflects the arboretum’s woodlands and desert biomes.
3D ELEMENTS
The assets were either vectorized in Illustrator or created in Blender. Texture was added in Dimension to enhance realism.
Constructing the Scenes in Aero
TOUR GUIDE SPROUTS TO LIFE
The tour guide gives the user an overview of Florascope. Special activities and finding plant collections are the primary functions of the experience.
FINDING THE PLANTS
A sparkle emerges and guides the user to approach the plant collection. Once within the vicinity, the tour guide explains facts about the plant collection and how to interact with the AR plant.
GROWING THE FRUITS
Visitors can purchase fruits such as peaches, avocados, and oranges at the arboretum. In this scene, the fruits appear, and the tour guide asks if the user wants to purchase any. If the user selects 'yes,' the 'no' option disappears, and they are guided to the fruit stand.
The AR Experience
After completing the scenes, the AR experience was generated through a QR code
The mobile version differed from the development in Aero, allowing me to see areas that needed improvement
Developing the final AR experience involved extensive refining and testing
Explore Highlights in Real Time
Lotus Pond
Choice Selection
Bamboo Trees
Flower Guide Marks
Want to experience the world of Florascope?
Video Walkthrough
Final Thoughts
THE POWER OF AR
AR is a powerful tool for spatial design as it blends the digital and physical worlds to create an immersive environment. Its interactivity encourages the user to explore the 3D space in-depth, ultimately carving a memorable journey. I’m deeply fascinated by the power of AR and believe it will shape the way we interact with design and technology in the future.
