Google x Labster

Discover interactive 3D science learning content with Google AR in Search

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the shift towards blended learning or home-schooling saw a dramatic surge in Google searches for science learning concepts.

Working with Google and Labster, I designed curriculum-aligned 3D chemistry models for learners to explore using Google’s new 3D/AR search function.

- OVERVIEW -

problem / context

Google noticed a surge in searches for science learning content as learners and teachers all over the world turned to their favourite search engine for educational content. Although a Google search currently returns a generous number of results for chemistry content - there are limited opportunities for learners to directly engage with 3D content that best supports the learning fundamental 3-dimensional concepts in chemistry.

Google approached Labster to partner up on populating Google’s new 3D/AR search feature with 3D chemistry content that would satisfy curious chemistry learners’ most popular searches.

solution

I designed a series of curriculum-aligned 3D models in creating a chemistry fundamentals asset library accessible from Google search.

23 educational chemistry assets can be explored after their launch on 11 August - just in time for students returning to school. With Labster’s 3D chemistry models, learners can experience and explore key chemistry concepts in 3 dimensions.

- THE DESIGN PROCESS -

Product Design Director May - July 2020 + ongoing

Responsibilities Research (User, Curriculum & Pedagogy), visual design, UX writing, wireframing, testing

Team Product Designer, Labster 3D Artist. Product and Marketing Teams from Google and Labster

reframing the problem

How Might We…

• teach the chemistry concept most effectively in a 3D format?

• level up the content available via Google search for these specific searches?

• deliver a balanced experience - at the intersection of design, UX, UI, learning, aligning content with curriculum, and within the current technical limits of the feature?

• satisfy the most popular searches by curious chemistry learners out there?

process

Over the course of 4 weeks I followed a 4 phase product design process:

• Research (user needs, chemistry concepts, domain)

• Rapidly design/prototype different solutions to match high-volume Google search terms

• Asset creation by 3D artist with rounds of testing and tweaking

• Creation of UX content (>28 character annotations, longer concept copy for landing page and marketing)

domain research

defining user needs

To quickly understand whether we could enhance chemistry learning through populating Google 3D/AR search with chemistry assets, I looked at chemistry student discussion boards on the relevant topics to find their learning pain points and what it seemed they weren’t understanding from content they might currently find via Google search.

• Learners find it difficult to grasp 3-dimensional concepts in 2D. 3D learning materials are required in addition to textbooks for full comprehension.

• Currently, 3D chemistry learning content availability is limited. Teachers lack the time to create and due to tricky concepts - chemistry isn’t the most popular science tackled in digital content creation in general.

• Learners sometimes want a quick explanation of a concept or definition when they’re performing a search. Many search results take you to an online module, long video or simulation.

• Learners have difficulty switching between models of representation. In chemistry learners need to consider what is happening on 3 levels at once - what they see happening with their eyes in the lab, and what happens on molecular and atomic levels. Recent research has shown that even if they understand what is happening on one of those levels, they may not be able to ‘translate’ their thinking to a different model. To fully comprehend chemical behaviour, understanding key 3-dimensional spatial fundamentals are critical.

I also considered the problem from a teacher/home-schooling parents’ point of view - how can we create assets that enhance both the learning and teaching of chemistry? And don’t assume a pre-existing knowledge of chemistry concepts?

concept search

Current search results either throw up:

• full pages or >20 minute videos on the topic from respected web sources like Chemistry LibreTexts or Khan Academy

• hand-drawn/clip art diagrams and videos created by well-meaning instructors to convey 3D concepts in 2D

sketching and asset design

Due to non-disclosure agreements with Labster, I am limited in showing the rest of the mockups as they contain sensitive information and architecture. If you’d like more information, feel free to contact me at katymould@gmail.com.

outcome

23 assets will be launched on 11 August as Google unveils 3D/AR search assets for supporting chemistry learning. The project will continue into late 2020 to release further series of chemistry models and associated content to enhance the search results for the most commonly searched chemistry concepts.

learning & reflection

UX writing: conveying complex concepts in less than 28 characters. Fitting complex chemistry concepts and terminology into 28 character annotation limits can be tricky at times! Especially when you don’t want to crowd the asset with too many annotations. For future batches of assets, I’ll spend more time balancing the visual learning conveyed inherently through asset design and finessing the bare optimal succinct, explicit written annotations.

Optimising Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. I pride myself on collaboratively designing 3D assets that can be reused or repurposed across many products and applications. It’s a continuous learning point when working cross-platform - we were hoping to take some existing assets built for WebGL/VR and reuse them for mobile platform. Something you think is fairly straighforward to repurpose for a mobile application is actually quicker to build from scratch.