XR5 is a team of designers and developers from China. The team consists of Jiayi Chen, Longzhe Zhang, Zilan Zhou, Yefan Liu, and Huancheng Huang. A diverse team of varied expertise allowed them to create the Mukden Palace Experience, born from their deep research and observations at the Shenyang Palace Museum.
We are XR5, a multidisciplinary team specialising in design and development. Our team members include:
Jiayi Chen - In-Vehicle UX Designer at Toyota Motor North America, focusing on creating intuitive automotive user experiences.
Longzhe Zhang - UI/UX Designer, enhancing interactive and user-centered digital experiences.
Zilan Zhou - Industrial Designer, integrating form and function for innovative products.
Yefan Liu - Digital Artist, crafting compelling visual content.
Huancheng Huang - Business Development Expert, aligning projects with market needs.
Together, we tackle design challenges from multiple angles, aiming to innovate and improve user experiences in various fields.
The idea for the Mukden Palace Experience was born from our deep research and observations at the Shenyang Palace Museum. We noticed a gap between the rich cultural heritage of the exhibits and the engagement levels of modern visitors. Our goal was to bridge this gap by leveraging Mixed Reality technology to create an immersive and interactive experience.
We aimed to harmonise the authenticity of the cultural landmarks with cutting-edge digital experiences, allowing visitors to explore detailed multimedia content and interact with exhibits in a highly personalised way. This blend of tradition and technology set the foundation for our award-winning design.
Winning the London Design Award is a tremendous honour for our team at XR5. It validates our hard work, creativity, and dedication to blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. This recognition not only highlights the impact of our project, the Mukden Palace Experience but also reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of user experience design.
It motivates us to continue innovating and exploring new ways to enhance how people interact with cultural artifacts. This award is a testament to our collaborative efforts and inspires us to keep striving for excellence in our future projects.
The winning work we entered into the London Design Awards is the Mukden Palace Experience, a Mixed Reality Interface designed for the Shenyang Palace Museum. This project integrates advanced technology with traditional cultural exhibits, aiming to enhance visitor engagement and provide a deeply immersive experience. By utilising devices like the Apple Vision Pro, we allow users to interact with meticulously prepared multimedia content, including 3D objects like porcelain and weaponry, and 2D works such as calligraphy and paintings. The interface, designed using Figma and Adobe Photoshop and tested with macOS Xcode, is both ergonomic and intuitive.
We chose to enter this project because it exemplifies our mission to harmonise cultural authenticity with interactive digital experiences. The Mukden Palace Experience is a pioneering example of how Mixed Reality can transform the way people connect with cultural heritage, making it an ideal submission for the User Experience Design (UX) category. Winning this award highlights the innovative nature of our work and its potential to set new standards in the field.
Balancing Tradition and Technology: We ensured authenticity by conducting thorough research and collaborating with the Shenyang Palace Museum.
User Engagement: We made the interface intuitive and engaging by leveraging user research, including field observations and surveys.
Technical Constraints: We used Figma and Adobe Photoshop for design and macOS Xcode for testing to ensure an interactive and ergonomic interface optimised for the Apple Vision Pro.
Customisation and Flexibility: We provided detailed multimedia content and intuitive controls to enable personalised and immersive user interactions.
By addressing these challenges with a user-focused approach, we created an innovative Mixed Reality experience that enhances visitor engagement and sets new standards for cultural heritage sites.
Boosting Credibility: It validates our skills and innovation, enhancing our reputation in the design community.
Opening Opportunities: The recognition can lead to new collaborations, projects, and professional growth.
Inspiring Innovation: The accolade motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new design frontiers.
Building Confidence: It reinforces our belief in our approach, encouraging us to tackle more ambitious projects.
Creativity and Innovation: The design industry constantly evolves, allowing us to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and bring innovative solutions to life.
Impact on User Experience: We love how design can transform and enhance user interactions, making everyday experiences more intuitive, enjoyable, and meaningful.
Collaborative Nature: The industry thrives on collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to create holistic and impactful designs.
Combines Tradition with Innovation: We seamlessly integrate Mixed Reality with traditional exhibits, preserving cultural authenticity while providing an immersive digital experience.
User-Centered Approach: Extensive research, including field observations and user surveys, ensures our interface is highly intuitive and tailored to meet diverse user needs.
Customisation and Depth: Our design allows users to deeply engage with detailed multimedia content, offering personalised interactions with both 3D and 2D artifacts.
Increased Integration of Technology: Mixed Reality, AI, and IoT will become more prevalent, creating more immersive and interactive user experiences.
Focus on Sustainability: Designers will prioritise sustainable practices and materials, aiming to create eco-friendly solutions that reduce environmental impact.
Enhanced User Personalisation: Advancements in data analytics and user feedback mechanisms will enable highly personalised and adaptive designs, catering to individual needs and preferences.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: The lines between design disciplines will continue to blur, with more collaboration between fields like design, engineering, and psychology to create holistic and user-centric solutions.
Global and Cultural Influences: There will be a greater emphasis on culturally diverse perspectives, ensuring designs resonate with a global audience and respect local contexts.
Mukden Palace Experience | 2024 London Design Awards
The Mukden Palace Experience, a Mixed Reality Interface, redefines visitor engagement at cultural heritage sites by integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional exhibits. This project... (read more here.)
XR5 is a team of designers and developers from China. The team consists of Jiayi Chen, Longzhe Zhang, Zilan Zhou, Yefan Liu, and Huancheng Huang. A diverse team of varied expertise allowed them to create the Mukden Palace Experience, born from their deep research and observations at the Shenyang Palace Museum.
Read about the interview with Shuting Jiang & Tianyue Wu | Sr. Product Designers Redesigning User Experience here.