( Context )
Personal Project
( Duration )
Jan 2022
( Team with )
( My Role )
Industrial Design,
Digital Experience,
overview
'lens' was born out of the need to merge technology and the spontaneity of outdoor exploration seamlessly. While existing AR solutions reshaped our urban experiences, they often felt intrusive and disjointed in natural settings. lens seeks to fill this gap by being a wearable, easily detachable AR solution designed specifically for the outdoors. It aims to offer spontaneous access to information, enhance natural exploration, and remain unobtrusive, ergonomic, and durable in various conditions.
challenge
* How AR intertwines with nature, ensuring it complements rather than competes with the environment?

* How UI interacts and integrates with hardware features?
at a glance
lens is an Augmented Reality watch for immersive outdoor adventures. Evoking the age-old act of sighting through telescopes, the lens is designed to be held up just like a traditional monocular.

As you look through, it unveils a new world with augmented contents, seamlessly merging the nostalgia of optical discovery with the thrill of modern exploration.
01 - bridging spontaneity and flexibility

With wide FOV camera and compact lidar, lens provides a less intrusive alternative to AR glasses and a more intuitive experience than smartphones.

We've seen everything from smart glasses overlaying data on our every viewpoint, to smartphones' boasting apps blending the digital with physical realms. Yet, many of these solutions seem out of place when it comes to outdoor scenarios. AR glasses, creates a perpetual digital interface that distances us from the nature. And smartphones? The act of rummaging, unlocking, and app-navigating amidst breathtaking views disrupts the very essence of exploration.

The spontaneity and fluidity that modern explorers yearn for is an immediate immersion and instant insight.

As a watch, lens' AR features is there only when you need it. It doesn’t obscure your vision or demand constant engagement. Casually taken off the wrist and held up, it becomes an immediate window to augmented wonders.

02 - augmented wonders

lens has 3 built-in AR filters to enrich your adventures. simply slide the haptic side button to switch between "Encyclopedia", "Navigation" and "Stargazing " modes.

STARGAZING
Cosmos at fingertip

NAVIGATION
Wayfinding

ENCYCLOPEDIA
Search for animals / plants

🚧 detailed lens UI coming... 👷

Problem context
I failed to record my Glaze experiments process very well.

Since the lockdown, I picked up a new hobby of experimenting with Ceramic Glazes. 🧪🔥
Each time I fire a piece, it's always a surprise to see the final texture that varies depending on the firing temperature and ingredient ratios. So I've been taking lots of photos and notes with an expectation to see my knowledge grow over time and to create a library of glaze recipes for future reference. But after a while, my motivation to keep track of these experiments was dying out.

Hypothesis

* Too many tools were involved - paper notes/ photos/ web links are scattered everywhere.
* High effort to archive and organize fragmented records.
* Lack of quick and delightful reviewing experience.

PROCESS
Hardware interface guided by user experience


When iterating the hardware interface, we put our focus on the overall shape, size, button placement and interaction scalability.

We adopted a rounded shape for lens based on practical ergonomics of handheld devices.
In contrast to square, which can often feel delicate and requires a pinching gesture due to their corners, the lens's rounded form factor naturally fits curvature of human palms. This allows you to grasp the device confidently with your entire hand, ensuring a firm and comfortable grip.
It's especially crucial in outdoor scenarios, where stability is key, and where conditions might be less predictable.

This capacitive haptic button caters to accommodate various scenarios, from quick switches to more nuanced gestures. It's also integrated with a haptic motor, to reduce cognitive load where your attention to surroundings is paramount.

melt
m.Lab