Dean Houston
Transforming product renders into dynamic, interactive experiences that spark meaningful conversations at trade shows. A DeanHouston project, brought to life through the innovative collaboration of our Web and Creative teams
Interactive Web Products
Client Needs
The client seeks an eye-catching solution to showcase detailed machinery through animations that demonstrate how the machine works and highlight its components—all while staying within a budget. This application will debut at trade show events and later be hosted on the client’s website.
Constraints
The application is designed for use at trade shows, where the client’s larger booths attract significant foot traffic. Since not every attendee will engage with a salesperson, incorporating interactive touchscreen displays with an intuitive interface can encourage visitors to explore the products independently and gain valuable insights.
Solutions and Use Cases
By developing a web-based application, the client was able to seamlessly integrate it onto their website and deploy it on individual computers. This approach eliminated concerns about potential internet issues during trade shows. To enhance engagement, the finished web app was optimized for kiosks, offering an interactive experience for attendees to explore the products. Hosting the application on the client’s website also extended the project’s lifespan, maximizing its value beyond the trade show floor.
Maintaining Quality and Scalability
These projects have become a standout feature at trade shows, delivering an engaging and interactive experience. The ability to fully control the app’s functionality, scale projects as needed, maintain website compatibility, and stay within budget has made this solution highly sought after by DeanHouston’s clients in similar industries.
OPW Product Guide
Available on both iOS and Android, the OPW Product Guide is an interactive 3D application designed to provide customers with comprehensive information on part names, part numbers, installation instructions, and pump calculations. Developed in Unity, the app has evolved significantly over time to meet client and user needs.
As the lead developer and 3D designer, I played a key role in creating the app. With limited resources for user research, I conducted valuable field research at trade shows to better understand the needs of our client’s customers. This insight enabled our team to design a user-friendly solution that effectively educates customers and serves as a practical tool for the sales team.
The client’s goal was to create a dual-purpose app: an educational tool for technicians working with various equipment in the field and a sales tool for showcasing equipment too cumbersome to transport across the country. The OPW Product Guide successfully fulfills both needs, offering a versatile, innovative solution for their customers and salesforce alike.
With our design thinking framework in place, we decided to move forward with a mobile application as the optimal solution. Developing the app in Unity provided the flexibility to bring products to life in 3D, add unlimited callouts for detailed explanations, and create an offline experience for use in any environment.
The Unity-based application was built for both iOS and Android, featuring a scalable UI to ensure compatibility across multiple devices. Additionally, we developed a desktop version for trade shows, optimized for larger touchscreen displays to allow both customers and the sales team to interact with and explore OPW’s product lineup.
The final app houses detailed information for seven key products, including in-depth part details and interactive features. To enhance usability for field technicians, we also implemented a specialized oil tank calculator, providing precise measurements to support their work in the field. The result is a versatile, engaging, and highly functional tool that meets the needs of both customers and sales professionals.