Technology: VR headset, oculus
Role: Visual Design & UI
Tools. Unity, Adobe CC
Video of media coverage: https://2022.usopen.com/watch/features/2018/06/12/u-s--open-virtual-reality-experience-deloitte.html
AR App store: U.S. Open AR on the App Store
USGA Shinnecock Hills VR Fan Experience
Created the first-ever interactive VR experience for the USGA, delivering exclusive, close-up access to the U.S. Open for fans.
The team's mission was to use the VR medium to open the doors to historic, restricted areas. Specifically, the iconic and usually private, Shinnecock clubhouse trophy room. As well as a first-person 360-degree view of legend Corey Pavin's winning at the 18th hole.
We worked directly with USGA partners and historians, traveling on-site to capture detailed 360-degree footage needed to create the foundation of an immersive experience.
The experience received high praise, attracting an estimated 8,000+ attendees over the tournament and generating positive national media coverage that reinforced Deloitte's position as a leader in digital innovation.
AR Legacy:
The positive reception from fans and the USGA led to a continuation of the partnership and a focus on expanding user access. While the core production team was eventually moved to an external group for better long-term scalability and app customer service, I and the original studio team were involved in concept development and testing to ensure the next generation of experiences, focused on mobile AR for fans watching at home, maintained the same high level of quality and meaningful experience design.
Role Expanded: Visual Design and User Interface Implementation
Core UI and Visual Designer responsible for bringing the project's aesthetic vision to life. This required collaborating extensively with USGA sponsorship partners and Shinnecock Hills historians to develop a visual style that respectfully captured both the legacy of the U.S. Open and the historic character of Shinnecock Hills.
Visual Direction: Developed mood boards, visual design briefs to establish the overall visual tone, color palette, and typographic treatment for the VR experience.
Concept Approval: Created high-fidelity mock-ups and conceptual renders of key screens to secure client buy-in throughout development.
UI Assets: Designed the core UI design system and key visual assets required for navigation, informational overlays, and guided tours within the virtual environment.
Illustration & Animation: Created 2D sketch-style illustrations for animated sequences integrated into the legendary shot narration, adding a unique, hand-crafted visual layer.
Texture Refinement: Assisted with texture refinement and 2.5D model detailing for the Trophy Room assets to enhance realism and fidelity within the virtual clubhouse environment.
Promotion & Marketing: Developed key art and visual assets used across the U.S. Open website and on-site promotional materials to market the VR fan experience.
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