I was astonished how the kaleidoscopic effects transformed normal image into a surreal image. Started to wonder if would be great to have this effect on a phone.

Overview

Croppic is for people who want an unusual photo editor in order to share images created accidentally. The app centers around kaleidoscopic effects that turn normal images into something surreal.

Role

Market research
UX&UI design
Product design

Tools

Illustrator
Photoshop

Research

Since 2010, smartphones have changed the digital camera industry by dropping their sales  87%.

85% of all photos are taken with smartphones.

90% of people who have ever taken a photo, have only done it with a phone, not a standard camera.

86% of Americans say camera quality is somewhat or very important when deciding which smartphone to buy.

Mobile photos with filters are 21% more likely to be viewed.

Competitors

PicsArt

Provides lots of creative control, excellent image-editing tools and a large variety of attractive filters.

Select or create fun stickers, combine pictures into highly customizable collages.

The full-featured camera module includes pre-capture effects and photo tools.

snapseed

Mostly for serious photographers who want or need to spend time creating the best possible image.

It has a full array of top-notch editing tools, including selective edit brushes, plus a nice collection of film-related filters.

It has range of exposure, color, masking and reshaping tools, brushes, and filters

Business goal

Provide filters that create personal patterns that can be used to create artistic products.

Problems

There are many photo editing apps which have usual filters, pre-capture effects, and photo tools. These settings charm people who love to share their own look and style. But for people who want to shoot an image without filters, the result often doesn’t look clean unless it is shot in great light or edited in post.

Product goal

Create a retail store for users who are willing to sell products based on their designs.

Process

Target audience

Peter Photo

“ I want to use unique filter rather than customizing colors and balance on photos. I hope I can create something visually appealing using my own shots.”

ABOUT

  • 20~30 age
  • Live in a suburb area with many parks
  • Motly takes photos with the smartphone
  • Loves to go out to enjoy the nature
  • Drives along the road through the valley and deserted area

User survey

Synthesis

My camera app has too many filters
I hope to collect my photos and organize them to be appreciated and remembered later
The invention of the smartphone has made photography super-easy
I just take pictures because my partner asks me to do so

Assumption 01

Many people like to try new filers when they are installed in a phone

Assumption 02

Taking selfies are the most common act because people like to show off their lifestyle

Learning 01

People tend to use the most comfortable filters which are easy and convenient

Learning 02

Not only selfies but also beautiful and admiring sceneries are important to take a photo

Assumption 03

For high resolution and clean shot, people use a digital camera to take a shot

Assumption 04

Since it’s so easy to take a photo with a phone, people have no concerns for an unique photograph

Learning 03

Unless a person is into photography or professional photographer, people use smartphones for photographs

Learning 04

People like to post unusual and eye-catching photograph to summon various friends from other world

Solution

App

From the original image, the user crops a specific area and chooses 2-sided or 4-sided reflection effects to produce an unusual image.

The user can save photos in a gallery section and share with others for personal enjoyment.

The unique pattern of these images can inspire other people or be printed on paper or canvas for display.

Product

From their unique images, users can print out products like shirts for their personal enjoyment.

The users can sell shirts designed with their own photographic skills.

Moodboard

Scenario map 01

John takes several photos that focus on the natural things like trees, sky, leaves, and stones. He uses the app to crop specific area to create something unusual. He chooses mirror effect to come up with iconic visual.

Scenario map 02

Julie wants to print her own unique photo that she created on a product as a souvenir. She opens the app and brings the photos that she created using mirror filter. She chooses which product she wants to have a print on.

Wireframes

Brand identity

Identity Idea Sketches

C:65 / M:49 / Y:93 / K:3,  R:78 / G:85 / B:44,  #4e552c

App design

Final thoughts

When the smartphone came to our life, people started to take pictures using phones rather than a cameras. I thought about a unique way to edit photographs to create a different look from the original picture. Other than filters that are capable of changing the mood and cleaning up photos, entirely new images can be created by flipping photos. I learned that users take pictures to upload on social media to create memories.... and to show off.

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