The project which I have chosen to reflect on is my 4.4 wayfinding project. In this project, I was given a square location in a certain area of Leeds; the area I was given was within the University of Leeds campus. Within this project, we have to design a book as well as rebrand a certain area within this area. I chose to rebrand ‘The Edge’ to appear more accessible to the public as well as University students. To enhance this project further using new technologies, I would experiment more with AR. When first given this task, I was presented with many new technologies, such as Figma, to create the app and only used that. However, after being introduced to Adobe Aero and having experimented more with the use of AR, if I could go back and add to my app, I would experiment with adding more interactive material. Such as a section within the app where you can hold your camera up to the building and see the history of the building and how it has changed throughout the years. I would also experiment with adding wayfinding within the building to newer users who do not know their way around yet; this would be done by the user typing in where in the building they would like to go and the app using AR to show directions in real-time using the camera to show where the user wants to go.
I would use AR to project personal trainers into the real world through the user’s phones, allowing users to access their workouts anywhere, anytime, with ease. This would provide real-time demonstrations of exercises to avoid confusion and show the correct form. With the use of watches, I would connect these to the app and use AR to show heart rate/ calories burnt whilst the user is completing their workout to further increase motivation. I would also allow the user to customise their app further by allowing them to customise their workspace virtually, for example, adding their motivational quotes or pictures, continuously adapting workout plans based on progress and feedback from the user and combining fitness tracking with dietary suggestions based on goals, activity levels and user preferences.
This would attract more users to use the app and gym through the USP of showing cutting-edge solutions to simplify user experience and increase goal performance. The use of AR and AI would also attract more members to the gym as the gym is free to gym members and allows for a hybrid experience due to personalised workout access anywhere at any time, fitted around the user’s needs. The app would also help retain current users and members as they will continue to maintain a long-term interest in the app and the gym. This would also widen marketing opportunities, for example, sharing workouts on social media, motivating other users, and widening the opportunity to collaborate with other gyms and fitness brands to increase visibility and overall revenue.
After reflecting on this previous project, it is eye-opening at the amount you can improve your end goal through the use of new technologies.
