Smartify
Ai powered artwork curation tool
About this project
A product that makes masterpieces approachable and understandable, anytime, anywhere.
Smartify is today’s top artwork guide tool available across the world distinguished venues. With AI-powered visual recognition and AR information overlays, the users can instantly and seamlessly have engaged with the artwork that caught their attention. The tool provides information such as artist guide, audio guide, venue information, and more - simply by scanning with their phone camera. With these new touchpoints, we also designed services like custom venue pages, curated guides, interactive wayfinding, and E-commerce that connects digital back to physical experience.
ROLE
Product & Service Designer
LOCATION
Amsterdam, London
TEAM
Nick Mueller, Leanne Pickering, Irene Falgueras
This project first came with the challenge of exploring new technology instead of the typical service design approach, which usually involves finding the user pain points first. We had to understand the potential of visual recognition technology in the context of artwork curation and determine how it could enhance the user experience without having a clear initial understanding of the specific problems we were solving for the users.
process
"let's play with AI vision and see where we get”.
The Smartify project, one of the pioneering startup initiatives in MOBGEN, began with a simple yet profound question: "What can we do with AI vision?" This question ignited a wave of creativity and innovation, setting the stage for a transformative museum experience. Embracing a playful approach—"let's play with AI vision and see where we get"—we embarked on an exploratory journey.
Our initial efforts focused on investigating the capabilities of visual recognition technology, collaborating with tech teams to grasp the underlying algorithms. Concurrently, user research through interviews and surveys provided valuable insights into current art discovery and curation experiences, highlighting potential touchpoints for technological enhancement. Inspired by the rich history of Dutch masters, we used Design Thinking methodology to explore new touchpoints for museum visits, developing wireframes and prototypes and iterating based on user feedback.
Launching a beta version for real-world testing, we gathered data on user interactions, continuously refining the tool. This process of experimentation, discovery, and user-centered design led to the creation of an AI-powered curation tool that revolutionized the museum experience, paving the way for future innovations.
impact
The AI-powered artwork curation tool successfully merged the worlds of art and technology, providing users with a seamless and intuitive way to discover and curate artworks. Leveraging advanced visual recognition technology, the tool offered personalized recommendations and insights, creating a more engaging and enriching experience for art enthusiasts. By identifying and catering to new user touchpoints, we expanded our user base and solidified Smartify's position as a leader in innovative art curation solutions. This project demonstrated the potential of technology to transform traditional art experiences, opening up new avenues for exploration and growth in the field.
Award-winning app, live at the world’s most well-loved museums and galleries.
The AI-powered artwork curation tool successfully merged the worlds of art and technology, providing users with a seamless and intuitive way to discover and curate artworks. The tool leveraged advanced visual recognition technology to offer personalized recommendations and insights, creating a more engaging and enriching experience for art enthusiasts. By identifying and catering to new user touchpoints, we were able to expand our user base and solidify Smartify's position as a leader in innovative art curation solutions. The project demonstrated the potential of technology to transform traditional art experiences and opened up new avenues for exploration and growth in the field.
Smartify has won multiple awards, including Webby Awards, GLOMO Awards, Dutch Interactive Awards, and SPIN Awards. Its service is available at renowned museums like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.
To see the full list of venues and special features, visit the official Smartify website and click on the relevant section.
