General 4 — Julianna Dio

Masterpiece Studio is dedicated to democratizing 3D content creation by making creating 3D assets easy to learn and use with our VR app. We developed a platform that allowed users to sculpt models, texture, and animate all in VR, with the ability to collaborate in real-time, and easily export assets to other 3D software.

Project

The aim was to improve the existing VR application, merging two different apps (one for 3D sculpting, and one for 3D animation) into one simple app for 3D creators for Quest VR headsets.

Stakeholders wanted the app to be easy to use for users of all skill levels, while also providing advanced features for more experienced users to create high-quality 3D models.

Masterpiece Studio’s previous VR app design

Solution

By designing a simple onboarding process and user interface to optimizing the learning curve of the app, users were able to easily learn to how to create/edit high-quality 3D assets such as models, textures, and animations while in VR.

This empowered users who are interested in creating assets for games, the metaverse, art projects, etc… to create 3D content with ease and efficiency and level the playing field with larger studios that have greater resources.

My Role

I worked closely with the small design team of 2, the project manager & development team to consolidate feedback from user testing into comprehensive user flows, information architecture, visual design elements, and design systems, to ensure a seamless user experience.

Research Goals

We researched target users (3D artists, VR artists, animators, etc.) through interviews and usability testing to understand their needs and improve the user experience.

We analyzed the competitive landscape for 3D content creation tools, examining established industry leaders like Medium and Gravity Sketch, along with emerging startups, to identify opportunities for innovation.

User Flow

We mapped out user journeys from website to VR headset, covering app launch, 3D model gallery, tutorials, collaboration, project opening, and creation mode.

Wireframing

Through wireframing, we crafted the mid-fidelity flows along with controller mappings and interface elements, outlining key features and interactions.

By visualizing the user experience early on, we ensured alignment with project goals and user needs, laying a solid foundation for the implementation phase.

Prototype & Usability Testing

User Testing was conducted using ShapesXR, a VR prototyping tool, enabling rapid iteration and experimentation with various designs. This streamlined the prototyping process, reducing development time and costs.