PICKR is a simple, tangible interactive tool for designers and artists that lets them capture inspiration from their surroundings and use them in their artworks. The tool is expected to replicate the whole process of how artists take inspiration from nature and create art.
The device also has a companion tablet application that helps the users to modify the gathered assets, utilize augmented reality to prototype it on actual things and interact with others by sharing their workspace.
Worked with two other HCI graduate students as a part of a group project.
My contributions included brainstorming ideas, desk research, creating visual designs, contributing in 3D printing, and testing the usability to improve the product.
In art and design, the rise of digital tools has opened up new ways to create but has also made it harder for artists to use nature as their inspiration, like they used to. This situation leads to a discussion about how we can use digital tools without losing the natural elements that spark creativity. As artists turn more to computers and software, finding ways to keep the natural world part of their creative process becomes more important. This means finding a balance where technology helps create art but also keeps artists connected to the natural inspiration around them.
Inspired by this balance, we aimed to contribute to the design and artist community. In our brainstorming sessions, we saw a chance to create a digital tool specifically for designers and artists, one that would broaden their creative possibilities.
We defined out problem statement as -
"How might we enable artists & designers to seamlessly integrate real-world colors and textures into their creative work bridging the gap between nature and digital world?"
The inspiration for our solution stems from an understanding of the essential role that the right color and texture palette plays in artistic and design work. We took cues from traditional artists who often venture out into nature with their canvases to draw inspiration for their art. Acknowledging that the modern world has somewhat distanced artists from this original process, we aim to bridge this gap by allowing inspiration to be picked from the real world rather than just online resources.
The idea was to create something that is tangible and lets the user to flexibly choose the elements for their work. The device needed to be user-friendly, with less complex features, and also exciting to use. We brainstormed all the potential ideas, and sketched them out to get a better picture of the physicality. This ideation helped us to visualize our ideas better, and refine it before we built the physical prototype.
We began by brainstorming various designs for the device, creating a wide range of sketches to visualize the possible shapes and forms it could take. Alongside, we conducted research to assess the practicality of each proposed design.
After gathering insights and user feedback, we chose a disc-shaped design for our prototype. We then delved deeper into refining the disc's design, focusing on its form, how it would function, and strategically determining the best locations for embedding the sensors.
We used 3D printing technology to materialize the prototype. The process was both educational and enjoyable. Feasibility studies confirmed that the device is tangible, accessible, and can be easily ported for on-the-go inspiration.
The PICKR device is a multifaceted tool composed of a trio of specialized discs, each designed with a unique function in mind. The first disc is outfitted with an RGB sensor, enabling users to effortlessly capture colors from their immediate surroundings. This is complemented by the second disc, which features a high-resolution camera coupled with an optical sensor, designed to capture intricate textures from the environment. Rounding out the set is the third disc, equipped with NFC sensors to facilitate seamless data transmission. When these discs are stacked together, the third disc utilizes advanced AI algorithms to synthesize a cohesive palette, integrating the colors and textures collected by its counterparts.
Why do I think the concept is feasible?
We engaged in a collaborative testing phase with our designer peers, and everyone really liked the device and the idea. They thought the idea was great and were especially impressed with the printed discs. They also thought the disc's shape and size were very handy and easy to carry around.
The companion app for PICKR is meant to be straightforward and interactive which is connected to the PICKR device that allows designers and artists to gather ideas from their environment and incorporate them into their artwork. The gadget employs sensors to collect assets about the outside world, such as colors, shapes, and textures, and then wirelessly sends that information to an iPad. The user may modify and change the data once it is on the iPad by utilizing various programs and tools.
In order to visualize how their artwork would seem in actual environments, they may also prototype the data on tangible things using augmented reality (AR) technology.
The app also enables the user to share their workspace with others, facilitating group projects and receiving comments on their creativity. The device is designed to be a versatile and intuitive tool that streamlines the creative process for designers and artists.
3D printing the discs was a milestone. Holding those prototypes, however rudimentary, gave us a tangible sense of what PICKR could be. But the limitations were glaring. The discs were static, devoid of the sensors and algorithms that would make them 'smart'. Yet, they were a start.
As we reflect on this embryonic stage of PICKR, we're buoyed by what we've achieved, yet humbled by how far we have to go. The paper prototypes and 3D printed discs are but a shadow of what PICKR aims to be. However, they are a shadow that hints at a much larger, more intricate picture.
