This week, I tested out the augmented reality coloring app, QuiverVision, to evaluate both user experience and educational value. While the app shows some promise, there were several pain points I noticed, that would be especially impactful for young users.

The onboarding process was confusing for me as an adult, no doubt even more so for children to manage independently. Requiring account registration by email before gaining access added unnecessary complexity compared to most apps targeting 6-10 year olds. Streamlining this process would definitely improve overall approachability.

Concerning educational content, the free version consisted of only a couple vaguely “educational” pages amidst more generic options. Expanding free access to include more substantive educational content would better align with the app’s billing as a learning resource. Ideally, some more free options that include science, history, and math subject matter could provide better enrichment for young learners.

Technically, I found the augmented reality animations in this app to be highly prone to glitching and errors. Frequently needing to re-scan colored pages due to AR failure points to optimization needs. Smoothing AR responsiveness and function, expanding device compatibility, improving tilt tolerance, and solidifying educational concepts behind animations would create a much more seamless experience.

While QuiverVision certainly shows creativity in transforming a typical coloring book activity into an interactive AR experience for kids, the execution falls short. Addressing frictions around registration, educational content, and technical performance could help the app live up to its premise. Furthermore, a focus on optimizing not just for engagement, but also for accessibility, enrichment, and delight for younger users, could really elevate overall user experience.

My letter was I. This letter appears pretty much everywhere. I gave myself the slight added challenge of finding a serif typeface “I” with crossbars on the top and bottom. The most interesting example I found was across the street from campus. See below.

Behold, the job listing in Berlin that spoke to me:

UI in Berlin: GameDuell UI Artist
https://berlinstartupjobs.com/design-ux/game-ui-artist-gameduell/

Why Berlin? Though I haven’t spent extensive time here, I’m fascinated by Germany generally, especially through the lens of creativity and the arts, history, culture, and design.

When it comes to design, I think immediately of the Bauhaus movement, modernist architecture, automotive design, and more recently, about Berlin’s role as a leader in sustainable design, in everything from urban planning to product design, to green architecture. Within the (often depressing) landscape of late-stage capitalist corporate culture, it’s refreshing to consider circular design and post-growth capitalism principles- C2C philosophy, extended producer responsibility, and the concept of zero waste, which seem to be central to contemporary design thinking in Germany (see here and here). Berlin is also at the forefront of industry within the realm of UX and interaction design, with both a strong tech industry and a focus on usability and user interaction across a wide array of products and services.

Outside of design, Berlin is, and has been, a major hub for all kinds of creative pursuits, particularly as an incubator of new and exciting ideas, up-and coming creatives, and emerging art forms- all within what strikes me as a very welcoming environment that is willing to embrace and encourage innovation across disciplines.

Lastly, the history of Berlin is intriguing to me in terms of impact and relevance to art, culture, and design. What comes to mind, specifically? Everything from the flourishing arts scene of the Weimar Republic, to the devastating and complicated impact of both World Wars and the Cold War/Berlin Wall, to the reunification and transformation eras that followed, all of which shaped the culture and creative scene immensely.

I chose this particular listing because it seems to tap into the welcoming entrepreneurial spirit that is unique to the city. On a personal level, it relates to my interests in fun UX/UI design with what I imagine would be a high degree of individual artistic liberty. I like the idea of incorporating UI elements, graphics, and animations within the context of game development. Additionally, my fascination with storytelling seems highly applicable to the world of games and world-building.

Oh, and my brother lives in Berlin. He rules. Below are some knife magnets he made.