JMARS AR Viewer

Augmented and Virtual Reality Experiences for Planetary Research, Education, and Collaboration

Tools Used
Unity, Figma
Date
2019 - 2021
Type
AR mobile application & VR application
Role
UI design, research,
Tools
Figma, Unity
Teammates
Dr. Robert LiKamWa, Lauren Gold , Kathryn Powell, Shaun Xiong, Justin Hertzberg, Alexander Gonzalez
Duration
1.5 years
(Jan '19 - Apr '21)

Intro

Intro

Assisting NASA scientists in communicating their findings

JMARS AR Viewer makes complicated planetary terrain data understandable to anyone. It is used today to assist NASA scientists in communicating and disseminating their findings.
I designed high fidelity prototypes and developed interfaces for JMARS AR Viewer. The application received such a great response that my team and I were rehired to create a virtual reality version of JMARS AR Viewer.
Intro
Problem
User Personas
Ideation
Iterations
Final Design

Intro

Intro

Assisting NASA scientists in communicating their findings

JMARS AR Viewer makes complicated planetary terrain data understandable to anyone. It is used today to assist NASA scientists in communicating and disseminating their findings.
I designed high fidelity prototypes and developed interfaces for JMARS AR Viewer. The application received such a great response that my team and I were rehired to create a virtual reality version of JMARS AR Viewer.

Problem

Problem

JMARS data is too complicated for non-experts

JMARS data is too complicated

JMARS is a geospatial information system with data-analysis tools used NASA scientists, students, and the general public.
This data is available to everyone, but the format is too complicated to be understood by non-experts.

How might we help the general public understand JMARS?

Design Brief

Design a tool for people to visualize JMARS terrain data in AR

  • Upload data on mobile device from JMARS website
  • Tutorial to teach interactions
  • Sample terrains for new users
  • Terrain manipulation to see different perspectives
User Personas

Expected target audience

Planetary Scientist
Visualizes JMARS terrain data in 3D
Need: upload JMARS data to app
New User
Explores terrain data for first time 
Need:  access sample terrains on app
Public Speaker
Presents with JMARS AR as a visual aid
Need: save and access uploaded terrains

JMARS data is too complicated

Ideation

Brainstorming a welcoming and intuitive design

During the ideation process I discussed needs and limitations with stakeholders, users, and engineers and sketched some possible low fidelity design solutions.
The main idea was to make an interface that was welcoming, intuitive, and efficient so that people of different backgrounds could easily learn about planetary terrains. I focused on creating a simple design where every component is easily accessible.
Iterations

Reflecting user preference for categorical tabs

JMARS data is too complicated

I designed the screens in Figma and then developed the UI in Unity. Each iteration was tested with 3 users to find out what parts of the design worked and didn’t work.
The greatest discovery was on the Load Terrains screens. To my surprise, people preferred information to be separated by tabs (rather than having all the information on one page). I expected that separated tabs would hide important information and add friction.
Final Design

Comprehensible JMARS data via an AR mobile app

NASA scientists, instrument members, and the public use JMARS AR Viewer to see planetary terrain in 3D on their mobile device. It is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
The final product makes complicated data easily understandable to anyone. This can bridge the education gap between planetary scientists and the general public to increase accessibility to planetary data.

Reflection

JMARS data is too complicated

JMARS AR Viewer was a huge success, me and my team were rehired to build a VR experience which allows users to fully immerse and explore planetary terrain in 3D.
JMARS AR Viewer is important in bridging the education gap between planetary scientists and the general public to increase accessibility to planetary data. This is the first project that I worked on that really focused on using mixed reality to make tools accessible to people who otherwise be unable to use them. Making tools accessible to everyone using XR is a huge passion of mine today, and I am grateful to have worked on this project where I could bring that passion to life.
Next Project
Dress Your Shape