Amit Sharma.
All workUI/UX case study · Augmented reality

Kio’s Wall — an AR bird for a public park

Visitors fold an origami hummingbird, scan an installation and bring Kio to life through AR on their phones. I designed the on-screen experience during my practicum with NGX Interactive.

Role
UI / Interaction Design
Team
NGX Interactive
Timeline
Feb — Apr 2026
Status
Live at Oakridge Park
Kio AR experience shown across loading, QR activation and live hummingbird camera screens
Kio’s Wall on location at Oakridge Park.
01 · Overview

A physical story brought to life on a phone

Kio’s Wall is an immersive augmented-reality installation at Oakridge Park in Vancouver. It combines physical installation design, tactile origami and mobile AR.

Visitors fold an origami hummingbird, scan the installation and meet Kio through the camera. They can change the bird’s colours, pose with it, capture photographs and share the result.

Experience sequence

  • Fold an origami hummingbird
  • Scan the physical installation
  • Activate Kio in the camera
  • Change colours and interact
  • Switch to selfie mode
  • Capture and share

Project type

  • Practicum project
  • Browser-based AR
  • Public-space installation
  • Shipped in 2026
02 · The brief

Design inside an established system

I joined after the core concept, journey and some client screens had already been established. My responsibility was to complete the interface while respecting the approved flow, Oakridge Park’s brand guidelines, the selected art direction, browser-based AR requirements and the physical environment.

The interface had to remain clear over unpredictable camera backgrounds in a bright, busy public space—and work for visitors of different ages, including people with no previous AR experience.

Scope: the broader concept, initial flow and final direction were collaborative team work. My contribution focused specifically on UI and interaction design, with guidance from the project designer.
03 · Interface states

Six states, one simple public journey

01

Landing

Align and scan the QR code to activate Kio.

Adapted
02

Details

Enter a name and email before continuing.

Adapted
03

Confirmed

Confirm successful submission and continue.

Designed
04

Decline

Return to camera and reopen details later.

Designed
05

Photo mode

Pose with Kio inside an Oakridge-branded frame.

Designed · Priority
06

End state

Keep the camera open with a simple thank-you.

Designed
04 · My role

Honestly scoped contribution

  • Designed the remaining AR interface screens from the established flow
  • Explored visual directions and refined the selected approach
  • Prepared interface assets and documentation for development
  • Supported product testing with the NGX Interactive team
  • Iterated through feedback from the project designer
05 · Process

From rigid geometry to natural movement

I studied the existing journey and Oakridge brand system, then explored how its shapes, colours, typography and line work could translate into a camera experience.

Two directions emerged: a lighter, simpler treatment and a darker direction with stronger shapes and contrast. The dark-green direction won because it remained visible over a live camera feed while supporting Oakridge’s premium identity.

Through review, rigid geometry softened into flowing forms that carried through onboarding, the details form, camera controls and photo mode.

Design principles

  • Strong contrast over live video
  • Short instructions and clear actions
  • One primary task per state
  • Brand framing without covering Kio
  • Minimal controls for first-time AR users
QR alignment screen using Oakridge Park imagery, flowing green shapes and gold line work
01 · Align the QR code
Contact details screen with name and email fields
02 · Enter visitor details
Photo-mode screen with Oakridge Park frame and camera controls
03 · Compose and capture
06 · Final design

Scan, interact, capture and share

The final flow moves from activation to a camera experience without unnecessary branches. Dark-green surfaces protect legibility, while the Oakridge logo, gold line work and hummingbird symbol connect the mobile interface to the physical installation.

Four Kio screens showing loading, camera permission, QR activation and contact details
Launch flow: load, allow the camera, scan and enter details.
Three Kio screens showing live AR hummingbird interaction, selfie mode and image sharing
Camera flow: interact, switch to selfie mode, capture and share.
07 · Outcome

A city-scale AR installation, live in 2026

Kio’s Wall opened at Oakridge Park as a public augmented-reality installation. It was my first shipped project combining digital interaction design, augmented reality, physical installation and public-space experience design.

The project designer completed the final refinements before launch.

Live

Opened at Oakridge Park in 2026.

Public

A city-scale AR installation.

Practicum

Designed inside the NGX Interactive team.