Holo Prism

Meow Wolf is an arts & entertainment company that creates immersive and interactive experiences that transports audiences of all ages into fantastic realms. In addition, MaCher is a globally inspired B Corp that uses data academic research to create meaningful & sustainable solutions. Through Meow Wolf's partnership with MaCher, SMC's IxD Product Design team was tasked with developing an interactive product that centered around an object or character from Meow Wolf's Convergence station in Denver, Colorado. Our team was asked to design a product that would bridge across physical and digital worlds while driving audience engagement with the brand.

Team Members
Masha Volodkina
Yena Kim
Jonathan San Augustin
Chrissy Stevens
Problem:
Meow Wolf's exhibits are intentionally designed to keep users confused and entangled in mysterious storylines, some found the experience extremely frustrating where they voiced their views on sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Reddit.
Role
UX/UI
UX Research
Product Design
Wireframing
Flowchart
Prototyping
Insights:
Meow Wolf’s niche amongst other immersive experiences is their puzzling storylines and extensive plots.
Unlike other immersive experiences, Meow Wolf super fans will spend up to ten hours in an exhibit.
Holographic experiences are becoming more popularized today, with brands like Adidas, Stella McCartney, and Coachella using the medium to creatively engage their audience.
Timeframe
3 Months
Solution:
The Holo prism is a physical product with an accompanying digital app. The physical product is a mobile phone accessory that displays videos and images in a three-dimensional space. The digital app helps users to follow the completed storyline with hints a Easter eggs displayed through reflected images, videos, or animations. Additionally, users will be able to take photos within the app and display them as a hologram to extend their experience at the exhibit.

The Process

Researched topics relating to emerging trends, augmented shopping, branded merchandise, 3-D sound, 360° marketing, mobile app design, what is an immersive experience, sustainable materials such as reusable and biodegradable, and social media reviews. We then conducted on site field research at Meow Wolf Las Vegas and a competitive analysis to better understand the market.

We found key insights that help to set Meow Wolf apart from other immersive experiences. For instance:
Meow Wolf super fans will spend up to ten hours in an exhibit.
Holographic experiences are becoming more popularized today, with brands like Adidas, Stella McCartney, and Coachella using the medium to creatively engage their audience.


Our key insights helped inspire our team to ideate concepts and notice key opportunities. We initiated concepts through Orthographics and information sketches, 3-D modeling, 3-D renders, storyboarding and user journey mapping, flow charts, wireframes, and user testing. Our final design consisted of the UI design found below.

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Results

Our final product design matured successfully into a 3-D render and a working prototype created on FIGMA which met all design targets set by stakeholders: meow Wolf and Macher. The physical render showcased branding elements on top and bottom of Holloprism. The removable top displays a handle to easily hold prism and the digital app features an on boarding introductory from Meow Wolf’s character super conductor general Oleander which explains the apps three main features: help button camera and a map to explore the worlds of convergence station. As the user moves through Meow Wolf’s immersive experience they will begin to collect stored memories and hints. The camera feature is used with the Hollo Prism to display images and videos in a cool way.

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Reflection

Over all I am extremely proud of how our team took advantage of everyone's skill set which reflected very well in our final design. The use of Meow Wolf's brand identity was carried throughout designs to make users feel connected to the brand. With more time allocated to Product, I would have liked to visit biodegrade factories to be more sensory with product materials to ensure successful design of physical product end design. Future possibilities of design elements can evolve to multiple language options, adding social networks, convergence station filters, and Air tags to improve navigation.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

- Pablo Picasso
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