As the UI designer and 3D modeller, my challenge was to transform these complex calculators into an online application that is approachable and engaging for homeowners and children.
This web application was designed to simulate home water usage and create a water savings plan – by basing the data on your bill and optionally fine-tuning the simulator to match your home. But it wasn’t just about saving money.
The main focus of this weblication was to encourage families to change their daily water-usage habits and discover better water drainage solutions (such as rain gardens) in order to become more environmentally friendly.
Early in the project, a few overarching concepts were created to help make a call on the overall direction: a game-like concept; a checklist-style concept; and an app-style concept.
The checklist concept was selected so that tailored water saving tips and amount wouldn’t be missed, as opposed to them being discoverable.
The interface was designed so that users can rotate and navigate inside the 3D house or apartment. This called for low-poly models that can be loaded into WebGL.
Autodesk Maya was used to create a typical modern Melbournian house, apartment, kitchen, bathroom, and backyard with water-saving features such as rain gardens and water tanks.
To make the home simulator more personable for homeowners and children, we explored silhouettes in search of a friendly and intelligent figure. This led us to Geoff the Frog; A down to earth Aussie neighbour who loves sharing tips on how to save water.
Within the 3D home weblication, Geoff appears around the house interface to give users tips on how to be environmentally friendly around the home, and help families create a water-saving checklist that would also help them save on water bills.
In a team effort with contract animators, several 3D animations were created to get Geoff the Frog introduce how families can be waterwise.
For example, connecting toilets to water tanks, using pool covers, and gardening with drip feeds and rain gardens.
He was also given his own online portal to share these tips with the water retailer’s customers.
