Project Overview

In collaboration with Revolution Marketing, Method—a body care brand under SC Johnson—sought to create an immersive experience at Coachella 2024. The goal was to engage festival-goers by blending technology with personal expression, resulting in the AI Aura Photo Experience. This interactive activation allowed attendees to generate personalized, AI-crafted aura portraits reflecting their inner vibes, aligned with Method's product themes: Pure Peace, Simply Nourish, and Daily Zen.

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My Role

As the Lead UX/UI Designer, my responsibilities included:

• Concept Development: Designing an interactive experience that seamlessly integrates AI technology with Method's brand identity.
• User Interface Design: Creating intuitive on-screen prompts and a visually appealing interface to guide users through the aura generation process.
• Interaction Design: Developing a smooth user journey from question responses to photo capture and personalized aura generation.
• Usability Testing: Conducting on-site testing to ensure the experience was engaging, accessible, and enjoyable for a diverse audience.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was to craft an experience that stood out amidst the vibrant and sensory-rich environment of Coachella. It needed to attract attendees' attention, encourage participation, and leave a lasting impression, all while conveying Method's brand values and product themes.

Solution: AI-Driven Aura Portraits

We developed an AI-powered photo booth housed within the Method tent, strategically located between the Sonora and Gobi stages. The tent's bright neon bubbles and inviting interior design drew festival-goers in, offering a haven of relaxation and creativity.

Experience Highlights:

• Personalized Interaction: Upon entering the tent, attendees approached iPad stations displaying the prompt, "Discover your aura." They answered three thematic questions:
  • Preferred nature setting (e.g., Bamboo Forest, Tropical Beach, Garden Bloom)
  • Desired creature to embody for a day (e.g., Flamingo, Unicorn, Goat)
  • Favorite color choice (e.g., Seafoam Green, Rose Quartz Pink, French Lavender)
• Photo Capture: Participants then took a selfie, with options to retake for satisfaction.
• AI Processing: The system processed their responses and photo to generate four unique, stylized aura portraits, each embodying one of Method's themes.
• Instant Sharing: Generated images were sent directly to users' mobile devices via text, encouraging social media sharing and extending Method's brand reach. Groove Jones

Design Process

1. Research & Discovery

• Audience Analysis: Understanding the Coachella demographic to tailor an experience that resonates with festival-goers' desire for personalization and shareable content.
• Brand Alignment: Ensuring the activation reflected Method's commitment to creativity, self-expression, and environmental consciousness.

2. Conceptualization & Prototyping

• User Journey Mapping: Designing the flow from initial engagement to final image delivery, emphasizing ease of use and delight.
• Interface Design: Developing vibrant, on-brand visuals and prompts that guided users seamlessly through the experience.

3. Development & Testing

• AI Integration: Utilizing the AI Personalization Engine™ to create unique, high-quality aura portraits based on user inputs.
• Usability Testing: Conducting trials to refine question prompts, photo capture mechanics, and image delivery to ensure a flawless user experience.

Outcome & Impact

• High Engagement: The activation became a festival highlight, with numerous attendees participating and sharing their personalized portraits on social media, amplifying Method's brand presence.
• Brand Affinity: Participants associated Method with innovation, personalization, and memorable experiences, strengthening brand loyalty.
• Award Recognition: The project received a Silver Award in the Interactive – Kiosk/Public Exhibit category at the 2024 Horizon Interactive Awards, acknowledging its excellence in interactive media. Groove Jones

Key Takeaways

• Seamless Integration of Technology and Brand Identity: Leveraging AI to create personalized experiences that authentically reflect brand values enhances user engagement.
• User-Centric Design: Prioritizing ease of use and immediate rewards encourages participation and sharing, extending the activation's reach beyond the event.
• Immersive Environments Enhance Engagement: Thoughtfully designed physical spaces complement digital interactions, creating cohesive and memorable brand experiences.

Final Thoughts

The AI-Powered Aura Photo Experience exemplifies how innovative technology, when combined with strategic design and brand alignment, can create impactful and shareable moments. This project not only elevated Method's presence at Coachella but also set a benchmark for experiential marketing in festival settings.

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