Interactive Collage
UX Design
The Interactive Collage allows users to learn about various artistic styles by going through the process of recreating a section of someone’s work. The final result will be a collage of work created by participants that forms a completed piece of art from DePaul Art Museum’s exhibitions or permanent collection.
This project highlights underrepresented artists from multicultural backgrounds and invites students to learn about new artistic processes. It allows the DePaul University Community to engage with the DePaul Art Museum’s current exhibits and permanent collection while creating an experience outside the bounds of the physical museum.
Role: Project Manager, Designer, Researcher. I worked in a group of two UX designers; we shifted roles throughout the interview process to gain exposure and experience within each role.
OVERVIEW
how it works
The collage features a reference piece of art which prompts users to replicate the artist’s work at home with their limited materials. Users will see a grid of squares overlaying the reference image. Users are then able to select the square they would like to reproduce. Participants are then asked to replicate the piece of art they claimed, scan or photograph their replication, and upload their version into the collage.
The Interactive Collage allows users to learn about various artistic styles by going through the process of recreating a section of someone’s work. The final result will be a collage of work created by participants that forms a completed piece of art from DPAM’s exhibitions or permanent collection.
why does this matter?
As many people across the country are looking for ways to distract themselves from the stressful nature of this time, art can act as a therapeutic way to resolve some of this stress. Through collaboration, the Interactive Collage promotes a healthy and educational way of translating one’s emotions into something creative. With an emphasis on sharing work and reflecting on an artist’s process, the collage educates participants about a particular artist’s process as well as showcases how each individual participant interprets that process. By asking students to recreate pieces from artists whose backgrounds aren't usually highlighted in schools or popular museums, students are pushed to think about new perspectives they might not otherwise be exposed to.
This unique form of interactive media will help DPAM stand out against other museums, especially in the COVID era. The collage speaks to DPAM’s mission by connecting students together through art appreciation and hands-on learning. This idea carries over to the non-covid era as well as an opportunity for the museum to open its space to the public and create a collage together in person.
research questions
How might DePaul students react to the Interactive Collage?
Is recreating art from artists of multicultural backgrounds an effective way of learning about artists varying cultures and perspectives?
Does creating art help DePaul students cope with COVID-19 stress?
Does online artistic collaboration bring people together in the same way as physical collaboration?
Is hands on learning an effective way to teach people to appreciate the artistic process?
METHODS
Ideation
Survey
Usability testing
DESIGN ITERATIONS
concept sketch
lofi prototype
mid-fi prototype
high-fi prototype
EVLAUATION
We tested our initial prototype with seven users, ages ranging from 18-58. Based on the feedback from our evaluations, we will alter the current designs
reformatting
collage selection and uploading pages for less scrolling
adding
introduction page for collage context
a profile page for users to track the various collages they have participated in
FINDINGS
design changes
Based off of our evaluations, we have decided alter to our interactive prototype design. We added an introduction page for collage context as well as a profile page for users to track the various collages they have participated in. We also reformatted our collage claim a tile and uploading pages to prevent the user from scrolling to the bottom of the page.
future validation
In the future, we hope to implement the Interactive Collage into the DePaul Art Museum website. Before doing so, it’s necessary to run through the entire process with a group of artists and a group of community members who are willing to finish select a tile, recreate their tile and upload their tile onto the site.