AR Shopping - Kallmeyer
AR Shopping - Kallmeyer

Technological augmentation of physical space for improved in-store retail shopping experience.

Technological augmentation of physical space for improved in-store retail shopping experience.

Technological augmentation of physical space for improved in-store retail shopping experience.

to read the research paper to learn more about this project

ROLE

UX Researcher

UI/UX Designer

TEAM

Parsons School of Design Major Studio 2 Solo Project

Professor Anthony Deen

TOOL

Figma

Adobe Illustrator

DURATION

SP 2024

ROLE

UI/UX Designer

UX Researcher

TEAM

Parsons School of Design Major Studio 2 Solo Project

Professor Anthony Deen

TOOL

Figma

Illustrator

DURATION

SP 2024

THE CHALLENGE

THE CHALLENGE

How might we create valuable and enjoyable in-store experiences?
How might we create valuable and enjoyable in-store experiences?

As the fashion industry shifts towards e-commerce, physical stores experience fewer visits. Customers seek more enriching in-store experiences that online shopping cannot provide. Brands aim to enhance in-store experiences, as physical stores offer more options. How might we maximize the potential of physical retail spaces to create valuable and enjoyable in-store experiences that attract and engage more customers?

As the fashion industry shifts towards e-commerce, physical stores experience fewer visits. Customers seek more enriching in-store experiences that online shopping cannot provide. Brands aim to enhance in-store experiences, as physical stores offer more options. How might we maximize the potential of physical retail spaces to create valuable and enjoyable in-store experiences that attract and engage more customers?

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

AR app offering in-store product recommendations.
AR app offering in-store product recommendations.
AR app offering in-store product recommendations.

Using the brand Kallmeyer as an exemplary prototype applicable to other brands, my idea involves developing an app with an AR feature that shows complementary items as AR cards when customers scan a product's QR code. Recommendations are tailored based on the store's planogram, inventory, and customer data collected at entry.

Using the brand Kallmeyer as an exemplary prototype applicable to other brands, my idea involves developing an app with an AR feature that shows complementary items as AR cards when customers scan a product's QR code. Recommendations are tailored based on the store's planogram, inventory, and customer data collected at entry.

INITIAL IDEA

INITIAL IDEA

Different types of research.
Different types of research.

To understand industry practices and key users, I began by strategizing various research methods and defining the goals I aimed to achieve through this research.

To understand industry practices and key users, I began by strategizing various research methods and defining the goals I aimed to achieve through this research.

Target Users

  • Occasional and frequent shoppers

  • Brand associates

Research Methods

  • Scholarly research including scholarly articles and books

  • Primary research including interviews and observations

Research Goals

  • Understand the psychology behind shopping behaviors - what makes one purchase?

  • Identify and understand the varied needs of the retail brand and its customers

  • Understand the values of brick-and-mortar stores

  • Understand business objectives from the retail brand's perspective

Research Methods

  • Scholarly research including scholarly articles and books

  • Primary research including interviews and observations

Target Users

  • Occasional and frequent shoppers

  • Brand associates

Research Goals

  • Understand the psychology behind shopping behaviors - what makes one purchase?

  • Identify and understand the varied needs of the retail brand and its customers

  • Understand the values of brick-and-mortar stores

  • Understand business objectives from the retail brand's perspective

RESEARCH 01

RESEARCH 01

White Paper Research + Primary Research.
White Paper Research + Primary Research.

In optimizing physical retail environments, I recognized the need to first understand the user behavior - what drives purchasing decisions and what memorable experiences keep customers returning to stores rather than shopping online.

In optimizing physical retail environments, I recognized the need to first understand the user behavior - what drives purchasing decisions and what memorable experiences keep customers returning to stores rather than shopping online.

RESEARCH 02

RESEARCH 02

Store observations to understand industry practices.
Store observations to understand industry practices.

Upon visiting multiple retail brick-and-mortar stores, I learned that to deliver a unique experience for customers, brands are leveraging technology such as AR and virtual assistants to connect the digital and physical realms. Additionally, they use this technology to gather customer data, which helps refine their sales strategies.

Upon visiting multiple retail brick-and-mortar stores, I learned that to deliver a unique experience for customers, brands are leveraging technology such as AR and virtual assistants to connect the digital and physical realms. Additionally, they use this technology to gather customer data, which helps refine their sales strategies.

DESIGN DECISIONS

DESIGN DECISIONS

A mobile app with an accessible AR experience.
A mobile app with an accessible AR experience.

I aimed to create a model that could be applied to various brands in the future. For this case study, I selected Kallmeyer as the brand to represent my project concept, where users can access an interactive AR experience through a mobile app to enhance their shopping journey.

I aimed to create a model that could be applied to various brands in the future. For this case study, I selected Kallmeyer as the brand to represent my project concept, where users can access an interactive AR experience through a mobile app to enhance their shopping journey.

  • AR Cards that provide styling recommendations based on user's chosen product

  • Recommended products are chosen based on the store's inventory and planogram

  • AR Cards that provide styling recommendations based on user's chosen product

  • Recommended products are chosen based on the store's inventory and planogram

  • AR Cards that provide styling recommendations based on user's chosen product

  • Recommended products are chosen based on the store's inventory and planogram

  • Extends brand identity and heightens brand experience

  • Provide brands/stores access to customer information and location

  • Extends brand identity and heightens brand experience

  • Provide brands/stores access to customer information and location

  • Extends brand identity and heightens brand experience

  • Provide brands/stores access to customer information and location

Out of 11,000 respondents, 78% responded that while shopping in-store, they are using the brand's app more often or about the same as last year. [2023]

Out of 11,000 respondents, 78% responded that while shopping in-store, they are using the brand's app more often or about the same as last year. [2023]

Out of 11,000 respondents, 78% responded that while shopping in-store, they are using the brand's app more often or about the same as last year. [2023]

  • Has a physical store but no accompanying app

  • Limited customer interaction within store due to having only one sales assistant

  • Has a physical store but no accompanying app

  • Limited customer interaction within store due to having only one sales assistant

  • Has a physical store but no accompanying app

  • Limited customer interaction within store due to having only one sales assistant

Kallmeyer Flagship Store

Kallmeyer Flagship Store

BRAINSTORM

BRAINSTORM

Ideation phase with low fidelity wireframes.
Ideation phase with low fidelity wireframes.

I created low-fidelity wireframes for the app's key feature, integrating the AR experience and offering exclusive information for in-store customers. By scanning the QR code on the clothing tag of their chosen product, users can start the AR experience and receive recommendations for complementary items in the store.

I created low-fidelity wireframes for the app's key feature, integrating the AR experience and offering exclusive information for in-store customers. By scanning the QR code on the clothing tag of their chosen product, users can start the AR experience and receive recommendations for complementary items in the store.

USER TESTING

USER TESTING

What did the users say?
What did the users say?

There's potential to enhance the AR aspect. Right now, I'm interacting with the products - how can I also engage with the space?

There's potential to enhance the AR aspect. Right now, I'm interacting with the products - how can I also engage with the space?

The flow is clear, but I’d love to see more interactive AR features. What comes next after I view the AR cards?

The flow is clear, but I’d love to see more interactive AR features. What comes next after I view the AR cards?

↓ ↓ ↓

Implementing feedback: add AR navigation feature.
Implementing feedback: add AR navigation feature.

Through user testing, I found that a more interactive experience would improve effectiveness, enjoyment, and memorability, resulting in longer engagement times and increased sales potential. I decided to additionally provide AR navigation feature that would enhance customer interaction within the physical store space.

Through user testing, I found that a more interactive experience would improve effectiveness, enjoyment, and memorability, resulting in longer engagement times and increased sales potential. I decided to additionally provide AR navigation feature that would enhance customer interaction within the physical store space.

Interactive & Informative

  • AR navigation that guides users to recommended products for heightened customer interactivity, based on store planogram and inventory.

VISUAL IDENTITY

VISUAL IDENTITY

Creating a style guide.
Creating a style guide.

In optimizing physical retail environments, I recognized the need to first understand the user behavior - what drives purchasing decisions and what memorable experiences keep customers returning to stores rather than shopping online.

In optimizing physical retail environments, I recognized the need to first understand the user behavior - what drives purchasing decisions and what memorable experiences keep customers returning to stores rather than shopping online.

FINAL DESIGNS

FINAL DESIGNS

Final Prototypes.
Final Prototypes.

Utilizing the design system and user feedback, I finalized design decisions to create a seamless and enjoyable AR interaction experience for in-store customers while shopping.

Utilizing the design system and user feedback, I finalized design decisions to create a seamless and enjoyable AR interaction experience for in-store customers while shopping.

STEP 1: Login & Choose Store Location

Upon arriving at the store, customers log into the Kallmeyer app and select the specific store they are visiting.

The app collects customer information to enhance product recommendations based on the store's inventory and planogram.

STEP 2: AR Feature and Tutorial

Customers can enjoy an interactive AR experience by clicking the AR icon in the top-right corner of the app.

A comprehensive tutorial is provided to guide users on how to use the AR features.

STEP 3: Product Recommendations & Navigation

Customers scan the QR code on the product tag.

The AR card recommends other products within the store that can be nicely paired with the customer's selected item.

AR navigation guides customers to the recommended products’ locations upon selection of the product AR card.

For more accessibility, a store map (plan) version is also provided to the customers.

↓ ↓ ↓

Feel free to test my prototype to gain a comprehensive understanding of my project

STEP 1: Login & Choose Store Location

Upon arriving at the store, customers log into the Kallmeyer app and select the specific store they are visiting.

The app collects customer information to enhance product recommendations based on the store's inventory and planogram.

STEP 2: AR Feature and Tutorial

Customers can enjoy an interactive AR experience by clicking the AR icon in the top-right corner of the app.

A comprehensive tutorial is provided to guide users on how to use the AR features.

STEP 3: Product Recommendations & Navigation

Customers scan the QR code on the product tag.

The AR card recommends other products within the store that can be nicely paired with the customer's selected item.

AR navigation guides customers to the recommended products’ locations upon selection of the product AR card.

For more accessibility, a store map (plan) version is also provided to the customers.

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE

Further feedback.
Further feedback.

At the end of the semester, I presented my project during the final critique and received insightful feedback from program faculty and external critics, highlighting opportunities to extend my project further in various directions.

At the end of the semester, I presented my project during the final critique and received insightful feedback from program faculty and external critics, highlighting opportunities to extend my project further in various directions.

Upon performing a moderated usability test with my peers (total of 10 participants) all completed the tasks successfully without any issues.

Upon performing a moderated usability test with my peers (total of 10 participants) all completed the tasks successfully without any issues.

HOW MIGHT WE?

Problem Statement

While the Guggenheim Museum's official website offers in-depth guides and assistance, the on-site experience falls short, leading to frustration and limited engagement for visitors.

What are the existing pain points during in-person visits to the Guggenheim?

How can visitors interact and augment their experience at the museum?

FINAL THOUGHTS

FINAL THOUGHTS

What went well, what didn't?
What went well, what didn't?

This experience provided me with a deep understanding of why people shop and their motivations. This insight will be a valuable asset for me as a UX designer should I work in the fashion industry in the future.


With more time, I would like to expand this project to include personalized elements. Although the initial model was effective and a solid starting point, it was too general. It could be further developed and adapted into multiple versions for various user groups or brands to increase its versatility.

This experience provided me with a deep understanding of why people shop and their motivations. This insight will be a valuable asset for me as a UX designer should I work in the fashion industry in the future.


With more time, I would like to expand this project to include personalized elements. Although the initial model was effective and a solid starting point, it was too general. It could be further developed and adapted into multiple versions for various user groups or brands to increase its versatility.

This experience provided me with a deep understanding of why people shop and their motivations. This insight will be a valuable asset for me as a UX designer should I work in the fashion industry in the future.


With more time, I would like to expand this project to include personalized elements. Although the initial model was effective and a solid starting point, it was too general. It could be further developed and adapted into multiple versions for various user groups or brands to increase its versatility.

What did I learn?
What did I learn?
  • Analyze shopping behaviors using past data

  • Balance the needs of the brand and the customers

  • Analyze shopping behaviors using past data

  • Balance the needs of the brand and the customers

The goal of this project was to create a model applicable to various brands. In the future, I aim to focus on analyzing the specific needs of customers of specific brand and provide more tailored and effective solutions, rather than a general approach.

The goal of this project was to create a model applicable to various brands. In the future, I aim to focus on analyzing the specific needs of customers of specific brand and provide more tailored and effective solutions, rather than a general approach.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

Customer journey flow.
Customer journey flow.

The complete user journey encompasses the end-to-end experience, from entering the store to completing the shopping trip. Upon accessing the app, the user’s location and the specific store are identified, allowing for recommendations based on the store’s planogram.

The complete user journey encompasses the end-to-end experience, from entering the store to completing the shopping trip. Upon accessing the app, the user’s location and the specific store are identified, allowing for recommendations based on the store’s planogram.