TheMoon was a prototype developed to create a novel online 3D shopping center experience by a startup of the same name. It featured a simplistic and innovative touch-based 3D navigation and interaction user interface. As Creative Director of Front End and Scrum Master I led the team of game developers and designers in 2014 and 2015 producing the iOS app .
It offered an architecturally designed virtual space that allowed novice users to socialize and be inspired by brand item discovery through the agency of navigating an environment that mimicked real-life shopping for fashion and accessories. The semi-abstract architectural exterior and interior were designed respectively by Snøhetta and IARK.
While the virtual experience has similarities to physical retail spaces, it has been simplified to allow easier interaction on a small display. The storefronts and store interiors visually connect with each brand identity by using brand materials and design, an approach that departs from traditional web malls that rely upon collections of similar looking product images.
The virtual in-store environment uses the brands’ existing materials, marketing, and product photos arranged in a 3D space. The GUI was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible to provide the 3D shopping user experience with maximum screen real estate.
The prototype was originally selected to be demoed at SIGGRAPH Asia 2015 in Kobe, Japan at the Symposium on Mobile Graphics and Interactive Applications, but had to be pulled since no-one from the team were able to physically travel to present.
The navigation and orientation tools use a point-and-click based system with fluid motion, allowing the user to move where they want quickly, while at the same time limiting movement to prevent users getting lost or trapped. An autopilot allows the user to casually stroll in front of stores mimicking real-life behavior and allowing attractive items to catch the eye and draw the user into the experience.