weAR

During my summer in 2018, I worked with AccessAR, an augmented reality startup in Toronto. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work on the white label redesign of their launch product weAR, a SaaS-based virtual try-on framework for glasses. Our goal was to create a competitive interface that is easily integrable with different companies and focuses on the needs of the consumer. The creative director and I worked closely with the lead developer to ensure the design was feasible and sustainable.

Goals

Let’s face it, glasses shopping can be a hassle. From going into the store, taking off and putting on multiple glasses and if you have poor eyesight, it’s difficult to see what works and what doesn’t. As a permanent glasses wearer myself, I know first hand how important it is to pick the right glasses; Our biggest problem lies in cultivating the same experience through different channels, especially since it’s a digital format instead of a traditionally physical action.

The company wanted to refocus on being more fashion-forward, to attract retailers such as Warby Parker or Ray Ban. The biggest selling point they wanted to achieve with the new build was: through augmented reality, we can address the negative implications of fashion such as high return rates, fast fashion and environmental hazards. Through our research, we developed a series of goals we wanted to accomplish.

To showcase the customization weAR can provide to businesses. 

As a SaaS framework, weAR was developed to be integrated into commercial businesses. We needed to develop a system that was unbiased but can also be easily reconfigured to multiple company platforms.

Maximize screen space and provide a realistic shopping experience.

Current competitors have a restrictive interface that doesn’t provide enough screen space for consumers to make a practical decision. By developing a seamless and minimal design, weAR allows the needs of users to be at the forefront of their experience. 

Create opportunities to connect customers to social media.

In this digital age, sharing is important. By integrating a sharing feature, users can share options with their loved ones in the comfort of their homes.

Research

At the time, not many retailers had this software due to a lack of AR understanding, and that it was widely considered a gimmick. So, there weren't many avenues of references to look through. We researched face filter companies like Snapchat and other eyewear companies like Warby Parker and Bonlook who had online try-on functionality via photo placements or product shipping. There was an opportunity to explore how we can develop a stronger experience that's optimized for accurate eyewear fittings.

Key Features

After integrating these aspects, the results produced a seamless and transparent interface that allowed users to try on the glasses with minimal obstruction. Users can quickly change between glasses styles, glasses collection, and colours without worrying about obstructing overlays. The interface itself had to be minimalistic and symbolic; the symbols had to be secondary to the 3D models so the design is thin and small to provide as much screen real estate as possible.

Transitions between each function is quick and the material of the glasses themselves are high enough resolution to provide a realistic interpretation for the user. As a result, we worked with the current technology available to prevent the user’s phone from burning.

Shop by Collection

Collections are displayed like any e-commerce experience, it’s curated based on a company’s preference. The try-on glasses functionality is available directly from the product page.

Retail Forward

weAR focuses on maintaining retail experiences that are familiar to consumers; it allows easy customization for potential businesses who want to utilize this software.

Customize and Share

Customize frame colour and material that is available so customers can fully experience trying different styles. Colours are adjusted based on environmental lighting so each custom frame is as accurate as possible. The sharing functionality provides second opinions from friends, family, or the internet.

Results

weAR has been demonstrated in many tech conferences such as FashionTech TO, Design Reality Portland and AWE Nite TO. When presented to consumers, they were amazed by the realness and the amount of screen space the new interface provided. 

Many commented how they can see themselves using weAR while on the go or if they’re too busy to go to the store. Which ultimately, is the purpose of the product. To provide a new generation of buyer the opportunity to shop virtually with striking accuracy and style. Currently, the framework is being developed further to incorporate other features.

Reflection

This project was one of the first product-driven projects I've worked on, there are many ways of improving its experience through adjusting the UI or making the experience feel more charming. This product was meant to be a white label so it was designed to be approachable to all forms of potential retailers so charm was limited.

Ultimately, I learned how to be focused on the consumer, what their interests are, and how can AR be used as a tool to help with better consumer habits. I wish we were able to explore more levels of user testing and experimentation. As stated previously, this was a product that wasn't well known in 2018, it's fascinating to see AR integration in 2021, in other aspects of e-commerce such as shoes, furniture, and social media.

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