Dynamic Learning: Exploring Astronomy through Interactive 3D scenes

Client: Personal project
Role: Product Designer / Developer
Time: 2017-2018, 2021
Team size: 2
Platforms: Built in Unity for iPhone, iPad and Mac
Users: Kids 10+

Idea

Motivated by linear and static digital learning tools used in Swedish schools, I got the urge to show how you can better make use of the digital medium. The idea was to create something more dynamic and expressive, with a higher level of interactivity, to promote learning by curious exploration. The theme I choose was astronomy, and specifically how the earth moves and how that affects our life on it.

Design Challenge

The challenges were many but a main one was how to design an experience where users could do things in any order while still being able to learn somewhat complex astronomical phenomenons?

Process

I developed an interactive 3D model of the Earth and the Sun using Unity3D. I had an iterative process that included user testing with middle school children which revealed startling gaps in their knowledge of astronomy. This helped me finding a good difficulty level as well as improving the interaction design.

Solution

The model could now be fully controlled utilizing gestures, allowing users to manipulate time by dragging the Earth around the Sun or adjusting the hands of a watch. Viewing angles could be changed to experience phenomena from different perspectives, enhancing comprehension. The project evolved dynamically and towards the end I got help from my friend Oscar to finish it.

An interface that blends in

While the sandbox mode of the app needed lots of controls and panels to show data, I did not want to cover up the main graphics with a lot of UI elements. Hence all controls and panels could be toggled on/of to only take up screen real estate when needed. When shown, panels used semitransparent colors to still show what happened behind. Panel backgrounds were also blurred to keep a good legibility.

Compass UI

This is a compass UI to help users with orientation when on the ground. As the user is always facing the screen, the person in the middle is always facing up/forward. While looking around in the world the direction letters rotate accordingly. To stay legible they don’t rotate. North is highlighted for quick orientation at a glance. The users field of view is shown with the white gradient. The suns position according to the user can also be seen.

Sun graph

The sun graph helps you get an overview of the amount of daylight over the year at a given position on earth. The time of day runs from top to bottom and the days of the year runs from left to right. It displays the sunrise and sunset times for the set day. When the sun sets it goes behind the night area. The arrows with texts are not present in the app because I wanted to minimize clutter and saw that users would understand the element without, by setting time and date.

Space & Time

Astronomical aha-moments

Result

The app named Space & Time was released on the Apple App Store, it comprised two sections: a guided, informative portion with limited control for learning new concepts, and a sandbox-like section offering full control for experimentation. By integrating dynamic 3D visuals and increasing interaction, the app enhanced understanding and retention of learned concepts. Though well-received with decent downloads upon release, its status as a hobby project without a marketing budget made it hard for the app to gain traction in the App Store.

App store reviews

Educational and fun!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The children have both finished the
the guides and experimented themselves. So clear that it becomes easier to understand all complex events when you get to see them!”

Educational and fun!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The children have both finished the
the guides and experimented themselves. So clear that it becomes easier to understand all complex events when you get to see them!”

Educational and fun!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The children have both finished the
the guides and experimented themselves. So clear that it becomes easier to understand all complex events when you get to see them!”

Both educational and stylish!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Great app where they have succeeded in the art of both visualizing and explaining how time works in a super educational way. We spent several evenings exploring all the guides and learning new things all the time. For the first time, I can explain to my children why it is so dark in November and why some people are unlucky enough to only be able to celebrate their birthday every four years.

If only you had this app when you were in school!”"

Both educational and stylish!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Great app where they have succeeded in the art of both visualizing and explaining how time works in a super educational way. We spent several evenings exploring all the guides and learning new things all the time. For the first time, I can explain to my children why it is so dark in November and why some people are unlucky enough to only be able to celebrate their birthday every four years.

If only you had this app when you were in school!”"

Both educational and stylish!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Great app where they have succeeded in the art of both visualizing and explaining how time works in a super educational way. We spent several evenings exploring all the guides and learning new things all the time. For the first time, I can explain to my children why it is so dark in November and why some people are unlucky enough to only be able to celebrate their birthday every four years.

If only you had this app when you were in school!”"

A must for teachers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Perfect for projecting on a large screen and spinning a globe or clock, changing position or perspective. Shows everything that becomes too complex to draw.”"

A must for teachers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Perfect for projecting on a large screen and spinning a globe or clock, changing position or perspective. Shows everything that becomes too complex to draw.”"

A must for teachers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Perfect for projecting on a large screen and spinning a globe or clock, changing position or perspective. Shows everything that becomes too complex to draw.”"