Digital Temple Project Overview

The Digital Temple project brings the hidden Buddhist Art cultural treasure to life through an immersive web experience. It combines features of high-resolution imaging, virtual gallery, 3D modeling, interactive storytelling coursebook, and learning game to explore the Buddhist art. Designed for a global audience of all backgrounds, the project is grounded in research and developed in collaboration with scholars, designers, and curators at Harvard University.

***Due to confidentiality and the Non-Disclosure Agreement, the design process remains undisclosed. The endeavor was the result of teamwork and all credits belong to the exceptional team at Harvard FAS CAMLab.

Project Duration

2021 - 2023 July

My Role

UX/UI Designer

Team

Harvard FAS CAMLab

Context

Do you know 85% of Buddhist temples worldwide are unprotected and not open to the public?

There is very little digital data about Kaihua Temple, and we can only learn about this hidden and forgotten artwork from the research of a few Chinese scholars.

Vision

Our goal is to innovate the traditional Buddhist Art learning methods, and make it easier for the global audience to understand the storylines and appreciate artworks in the digital world.

We are devoted to preserving and revitalizing the digital assets of the fragile Buddhist art heritage.

Current Challenges

Dating back to the late 11th century and is poorly preserved today, Kaihua Temple’s mural art and architecture are at risk of being lost. Global scholars have limited visual and research materials to Chinese Buddhist temples, and most of the public is unaware that these cultural treasures exist.

What UX Research We Did

Zoom Workshops

10 +

User Interviews

25

Google Survey forms

140 +

After conducting in-person user interviews with college students & public audience, hosting Academic Zoom meetings with the Harvard Art History Research team, collecting Google form survey data, and creating user journey mapping, we identified and understood current users’ needs and learning goals.

Problems

By analyzing the research data above and conducting card sorting, we found four main problem categories: the lack of accessibility, the difficulty of comprehension, the lack of interest, and the limited visual clarity.

Then, based on our findings, we will explore the potential design solutions to tackle these users’ learning problems.

HOW MIGHT WE make Buddhist temple art learning more accessible and engaging for a global audience through immersive digital experiences?

Design Solutions

Solution 1

Build Online Experience - Virtual Art Gallery

Collaborating with CG animation artists and architects, we created this immersive monastery architectural space with mesmerizing light effects. The beams of light are inspired and recraeted by the research of Buddhist history and graphic paintings on murals. It can deepen the audience's sensations to gain a stunning visual experience.

Solution 2

Simplify Learning - Bilingual Immersive Classroom

To clearly demonstrate the complex visual representation of the architectural space, we created 3D models of each temple space described in the research article. We use the historical context of Buddhist art, architectural characteristics, and temple ambience music to assist people in understanding the spatial order of mural layout, characters, and story narration.

Simplify Learning - Interactive Annotation

In order to help students understand the Buddhist storytelling, and according to the learning design theories, we divided the complex mural images into fragments and divided the entire long story into small modules. It is more engaging for students to comprehend and match the images with the texts.

Solution 2

Solution 3

Enhance Visual Clarity - Digital Archive

The Digital Archive function curates story scenes and corresponding stories of the murals. Users can zoom in and observe intricate details, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the nuances. This provides great convenience for scholars researching the murals to retrieve high-resolution images.

Construct Gamified Experience - Matching Quiz

To improve the interactive learning experience, we developed a sequencing game feature. Users can complete our 16-scene graphic and text matching quizzes based on what they've learned and comprehended about mural arts. It aims to strengthen students' understanding and memory, gaining a delightful learning process.

Solution 4

Information Architecture

Wireframes

Design System

Usability Test

Through an extensive iterative design process, we conducted 5 rounds of usability testing with 40 participants, including students, scholars, and public visitors. Using a collaborative Google Slides, testers provided detailed feedback by capturing screenshots and noting positive feedback and frustrations. This systematic approach allowed our design team to identify UI challenges, usability issues, and user pain points, leading to targeted improvements in subsequent iterations.

Design Principles

Immersive Experience

Sensory Engagement

Data Visualization

Gamified Learning

Immersive Theater and Art Installation Experience

Alongside the digital learning platform, our team curated a physical exhibition space at Harvard University featuring art installations, immersive theater, and academic events.

To document my daily work and design contributions, I created the Public Visit brochure, which is available for download below.

Impact

After the project launched, user interviews revealed that 90% of participants gained new knowledge about Buddhist art through the Digital Temple experience. On Instagram, the project reached over 1 million views, received 1,535 comments, and sparked collaboration inquiries from 4 similar temple organizations. Engagement continues to grow steadily.

Satisfaction

+90%

1.1 M

Views

1535

+4

Likes on Instagram

Ongoing Projects

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