Project Overview

Final Touches is an interactive game designed to engage visitors, especially children, by allowing them to complete an unfinished painting. This activity encourages active participation by helping participants see themselves as artists, fosters inclusivity by breaking barriers and showing that art is for everyone, and builds a sense of belonging by reinforcing community within the museum. It transforms the museum experience into an immersive and creative journey where visitors actively contribute to the art they encounter.

Problem Statement

Traditional museum experiences often position visitors, especially children, as passive observers rather than active participants. This limits engagement, reduces the potential for personal connection with the artwork, and creates barriers for diverse audiences to feel included. Museums need innovative, interactive solutions to foster creativity, inclusivity, and a sense of community, ensuring that all visitors—regardless of age or background—can engage deeply with the art and the museum environment.

Goals & Challenges

Goal

Create an intuitive and engaging digital painting experience.

Challenges

  • Designing an interface that mimics real-world painting gestures

  • Ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience

  • Balancing aesthetics and functionality

Final Touches Logo

Project Collaboration Note

This project was a collaborative effort between the UX research, design, and development teams. The UX research team conducted the research and handed off their findings to the design team, who interpreted the data and used it to inform our design decisions. In addition to incorporating user insights, the design team also researched precedent designs for similar applications to refine our approach. Once the design phase was complete, the development team brought the designs to life, ensuring the final product aligned with both research-driven insights and technical feasibility.

Design Process

Research & Discovery - Concept Development

Target Users

  • Children (6–12): Curious and eager to engage in creative, hands-on activities.

  • Families: Parents and guardians seeking enriching, family-friendly experiences.

  • Educators: Teachers looking for interactive, educational tools for group visits.

  • First-Time Visitors: Newcomers needing accessible, welcoming activities to connect with art.

  • Art Enthusiasts: Adults interested in creative, participatory museum experiences.

  • Museum Staff: Seeking innovative ways to enhance visitor engagement.

User Needs

  • Interactive Engagement: A way to actively participate in the art-making process, such as free-painting tools.

  • Simple and Intuitive Design: A user-friendly interface that is easy for both children and adults to navigate.

  • Creative Freedom: More tools and options to personalize their creations and explore artistic expression.

  • Tangible Takeaways: Physical elements like printed guides or colored artworks to complement the digital experience.

  • Community Connection: Features that allow users to share their work and feel part of a collective art experience.

  • Accessible and Scalable Platform: Multiplatform availability to ensure broad usability across different devices.

Design Precedent

Google Arts & Culture

This platform offers an immersive way to explore art and culture through technology. Users can engage in interactive activities such as coloring famous artworks, zooming in on high-resolution images of masterpieces, and participating in virtual tours of renowned museums. These tools make art accessible to a global audience, blending education with creative engagement and fostering an appreciation for art history.

Procreate for Kids

A simplified version of the professional-grade digital painting app, Procreate for Kids provides an intuitive and playful interface designed for younger audiences. It includes features such as easy-to-use brushes, shape tools, and color palettes, allowing children to experiment and express their creativity. This app bridges the gap between professional art tools and beginner-friendly design.

Autodesk SketchBook

Autodesk SketchBook is a versatile digital drawing tool featuring a clean interface and user-friendly design, suitable for artists of all levels. For children and beginners, it offers easy-to-access brushes, intuitive navigation, and simple tools that make creating digital art enjoyable and stress-free. Its versatility supports sketching, coloring, and layering, making it an excellent starting point for young creatives.

Tate Kids (Art Games)

Developed by the Tate museums, this platform offers a variety of interactive, museum-themed games that encourage children to learn about art while having fun. Activities include creating digital artwork, exploring famous art pieces, and engaging with educational quizzes. The platform promotes art education by making it interactive and accessible for younger audiences, helping them connect with art in a playful way.

QuiverVision

QuiverVision combines traditional coloring activities with augmented reality (AR) technology. Children can color on physical sheets and then use the app to bring their creations to life in a 3D digital space. This blend of tangible and digital interaction enhances engagement, making the creative process exciting and innovative while bridging the gap between physical and virtual experiences.

Kahoot! Art Challenges

Kahoot! Art Challenges merge educational quizzes with creative activities in a fun, interactive format. Designed for group settings, these challenges involve art-themed questions, tasks, and collaborative projects that foster creativity and teamwork. This platform is particularly effective in classrooms or workshops, engaging participants through gamification and collaborative learning.

Designing For Visitors

Active Participation

Helping children see themselves as creators of art rather than just spectators.

Breaking Barriers

Showing that art is for everyone. We want people to feel involved in the visit and engaged with the art around them.

Building Community

Reinforcing the idea that the museum is a welcoming space where visitors feel valued and part of the community.

Meeting Museum Expectations

Reflect The Museum’s Identity

The design must incorporate an iconic piece from the museum’s permanent collection to strengthen the connection to the Lowe Art Museum.

Interactive & Multiplatform

The experience must be multi-platform, ensuring ease of use and engagement across various devices and platforms.

First Time Visitors

The concept should communicate that visitors are a vital part of the museum, fostering a sense of ownership.