Design checker
Instilling User-Centered Thinking in Spatial Design

Role
Designer + Researcher
Tools
Unity
SketchUp
Adobe Aero
Adobe After Effects
Timeline
November 2023- December 2023
XR research
Hand tracking
Animation
Skills
Project Description
The project aimed at creating an AI based personal assistant in Mixed Reality for designers which will make them test their products during the iteration and design phase itself as a way to build empathy for different user groups and what they go through while experiencing their designed products.
Pain Points In Architecture Industry

Unlike digital products, architects can't pre-test spaces with users during the design phase until the space is constructed. And, modifying an already constructed building to align with user needs is challenging.

​Modifying a constructed space increases development costs, making it an undesirable option.

Designing a space necessitates consideration of diverse user needs in terms of navigation, lighting, accessibility, etc. But, current limitations in user testing make this challenging.
Problem Domain
Enabling architects to better empathize with their user groups and how they would interact with the space before actually building the space by building a personal assistant for them using XR.
Problem Statement
“How might we leverage XR to enable architects to pre-test and understand user interactions for diverse user groups in different physical spaces before constructing them?”

Conceptualization
Digital Prototyping 1
Digital Prototyping- 2
Modelling the space to test with the tool
Storyboarding
Adobe Aero
Unity
Adobe After Effects

Digital Prototyping
Phase 1 | Modelling the 3D space
I started off with modelling a 3D space using SketchUp with a few rooms and a corridor. This space was then used in the prototyping process and transferred to Unity for the same...

Digital Prototyping
Phase 2 | Creating Interactions
The video below shows the final prototype for the Design Checker and makes use of both AR and VR..
Why Mixed Reality?
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AR Component
Architect customizing their character and choosing the 3d model of the building that needs to be tested from their library via AR.
Starting with AR provides a user-friendly onboarding experience before transitioning into the more immersive VR environment.
VR Component
Navigating through the 3D model of the space in Virtual Reality in the user’s character, with the personal assistant checking out different aspects such as navigation, daylighting, accessibility of the space, and so on.
Getting recommendations from the personal assistant.
Personal assistant flagging areas which need to be rethought or changed.
Design Principles
Intuitive hand gestures for interactions
I made use of intuitive hand gestures for rotating the 3D characters and the models, or pointing gestures to tap on a button. Finger moving gestures for moving objects within the VR environment.
Accessibility
Considerations
My premise for the project is supposed to help architects empathize with users with diverse needs. Therefore, in the prototype as well, I have shown the user using the space as a person on wheelchair.
Feedback and
responsiveness
Throughout the design, the user gets feedback from the personal assistant in form of design suggestions and they also have the option to ignore the feedback or save it for later.
Phase 4 - Next Steps

Expanding the Assistant's design to cater to end users, it enables diverse groups to experience a shared space uniquely. For example, the signage height adjusts for wheelchair users and children with AR glasses, ensuring a personalized and inclusive interaction with the environment.

I could explore additional prompts for the design assistant, extending beyond accessibility guidelines to enhance its overall impact and narrative.
Project Learnings
Takeaways


Got hands-on experience in developing a Mixed Reality experience.
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While designing for this prototype, I identified ethical considerations which need to be taken into account such as safeguarding architects' design privacy to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information during this testing and feedback process.
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Challenges


To decide which interactions would work better in the AR v/s VR space by weighing their pros and cons.
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Ensuring XR simulations for various users are free from stereotypes and inaccuracies, promoting an unbiased representation to reflect their diverse needs and foster inclusive design.