Context
Sparx, a leading footwear brand, wanted to enhance the online shopping experience by integrating Augmented Reality (AR) for a virtual shoe trial feature. The goal was to enable customers to try on shoes virtually using their smartphone cameras, improving decision-making and reducing returns.
This project aimed to bridge the gap between physical and digital shopping, ensuring customers get the right fit and style without visiting a store.
Overview
Sparx observed a high return rate on online shoe purchases due to size mismatches and customer dissatisfaction with real-world appearance. Customers often faced:
- Difficulty visualizing how shoes would look on their feet.
- Uncertainty in size and comfort when shopping online.
- Uncertainty in size and comfort when shopping online.
To address this, Sparx wanted an AR-powered virtual shoe trial feature that allows users to:
- Try shoes in real-time using their smartphone cameras.
- See shoes from multiple angles with accurate fit representation.
- Improve buying confidence, reducing returns and boosting sales.
Task
The objective was to design and develop:
A mobile app with AR shoe trial functionality, where users can:
- Try on different Sparx shoes virtually.
- Switch between colors & models in real time.
- Capture images & share with friends for feedback.
- Get size recommendations based on foot scanning.
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Allowing users to seamlessly add tried shoes to their cart.
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Receive personalized size and fit suggestions.
Action
To achieve these goals, I took the following steps:
Research & Discovery:
- Conducted user interviews with online shoe shoppers to understand expectations from AR trials.
- Analyzed competitor AR experiences (Nike, Adidas) to identify best practices.
- Worked with 3D modelers to ensure highly accurate shoe rendering for different devices.
Wireframing & Prototyping
- Designed low-fidelity wireframes mapping out the virtual shoe trial flow.
- Created clickable prototypes in Figma for user testing.
- Tested placement, interaction, and UI intuitiveness with early adopters.
Design Execution:
AR Implementation & UI Design
Developed an interactive, gesture-based UI allowing users to
- Try shoes virtually using augmented reality.
- Change shoe models instantly with a swipe.
- Incorporated realistic textures & materials in AR models.
