Project Summary

Context

'Merge Object Viewer' is a companion app to the 'Merge Explorer' app that allows educators and students to explore 3D representations of real world objects related to Science, History, art, and more. The app pairs with the education dashboard which allows educators to upload their own objects, add information to them and create and manage collections of related objects. The app integrates into the larger 'Merge Edu' platform that provides teachers and students with resources they need to succeed.

Utilizing 3D graphics and AR technology students learn in an in-depth and hands on way.

Problem

Traditional education mediums (Textbooks, 2D imagery, video...etc) are information dense and can be difficult to attract and retain the attention of students.

Solution

Develop an easy to use software tool (app), targeted at the students and teachers in K-12 education that encourages students to engage with educational STEM topics in a hands-on way to boost information retention and learning outcomes.

This application is an extension of the Merge Explorer app that expands the topics covered to include History, Social Studies and Art.

Professional Work

Work as part of my time at Merge Labs Inc.

Role

Creative Lead (UX/3D)
‍
- Planning
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- User Testing/QA
- Design

Timeframe

Version One | 6-months*

User Personas

Name
Goal Statement
Pain Point
Name
Chidi, 26
Student
Goal Statement
Needs to be able to know what's happening in their local government as they happen.
Pain Point
Government legislation websites are often old and hard to navigate.
Name
Linda, 35
Manager
Goal Statement
Needs a way to keep up to date with specific bills and representatives activity locally.
Pain Point
Doesn't have a lot of time due to their busy schedule
Name
Cindy, 43
Accountant
Goal Statement
Needs a way to quickly search and read new legislation.
Pain Point
Legislation is often long and tiring to read and is straining on the eyes on small screens.
Images by pikisuperstar at freepik.com

Ideation

Initial Concepts

'Merge Object Viewer' was originally designed to be a standalone app but later evolved into a companion app to 'Merge Explorer'. Whereas Merge Explorer contained curated content from collaboration between Merge and Educators, Object Viewer gives educators and students the tools to upload and manage their own educational content.

Object Viewer was the second app to be added to the 'Merge Edu' platform and acted as the catalyst for the creation of the web based dashboard due to it's need to include model uploading tools among other features.

The core features of the app include...

- A content browser students can utilize to see various 3D objects from others.
- The ability for users to upload and manage their own 3D objects via the app* or web.
- A layer of security to protect users uploaded objects.
- Various different modes of displaying 3D objects that utilize the features of the device being used.

(Due to the original concepts being drafted in notebooks I do not have any copies to showcase for this project.)

Wireframes

The original standalone design of Object viewer is very different from the final design. After the introduction of Merge Explorer it was decided that all apps in the Education platform should share a UI design. The original design shown below was drastically simplified in it's visuals and functionality opting instead to migrate some of the complexity to the dashboards 'Object Uploader'.

User Testing Results

Usability Studies

Much of the usability issues here were ironed out by unifying the user experience between the various Edu platform's apps however for 'Object Viewer' specific challenges, the same testing methodology used for Explorer was utilized here as well.

Multiple rounds of moderated, task driven usability studies were conducted. Participants were given a number of tasks to complete within a core user flow, once completed were asked a number or questions ranging from their experience with the user interface, points of frustration and if there are features that they think are important that are missing in the design.
1
Feature Request
Educators requested some sort of content moderation in case some users uploaded inappropriate content..
2
Usability Problem
For most users, attempting to upload 3D objects from a mobile device proved to be overly complicated due to how mobile file systems work.
3
Usability Problem
Sometimes 3D objects would not show up correctly once uploaded

Key Performance Indicators

User testing was conducted as in person moderated studies and more informal testing by giving educators access to prototypes and free trials and soliciting feedback. Feedback and testing was continued throughout release to continue to refine the product as problems arose in real world use cases.

During in person studies, we measured how long it took users to complete various tasks, error and drop of frates
Time on Task
User Error Rates
Drop-off Rates
System Usability Scale

Conclusions

Through user testing we were able to gain valuable insight into users needs and make improvements to designs that would not have been visible otherwise. The core user experience was proven and improvements, additions and some features were migrated to the education dashboard to improve app feel.

Final Design

Mobile App Designs & Screenshots

The final app has various improvements driven by a combination of learnings from Merge Explorer and feedback from educators and students. Similarly to Explorer the introduction of a sidebar allowed for streamlining the user experience and allowing for future feature expansions.

Dashboard Object Uploader

After Explorer The Educator Dashboard became the central hub for all Merge Edu apps including Object Viewer. Upload complexity was migrated from the app to the The 'Object Uploader' and streamlined with links to guides,, resources and more to help educators and students understand the upload process.

Much like the Explorer app, the dashboard was designed with direct feedback from educators and students.
Merge Explorer, Merge Edu and Merge Object Viewer are property of Merge Labs, Inc.

Working from home, making magic.✨

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