Summary

Discovering

Defining

Developing

Delivering

Results

backdrop alive | ~6 min read TIME

backdrop alive | ~6 min read TIME

Turning static graphics into interactive mobile-first experiences.

Turning static graphics into interactive mobile-first experiences.

Backdrop Alive is a mobile-first application that transforms static trade show backdrops into dynamic AR experiences. I led the UI design and crafted an intuitive interface that lets attendees interact through branded mini-games, motion backgrounds, and prize redemption systems. The app is designed to increase participation & streamline lead capture, without the need for QR codes or extra hardware.

Most trade show booths can feel outdated & forgettable, despite decades of marketing and tech innovation.

PROBLEM

Most trade show booths can feel outdated & forgettable, despite decades of marketing and tech innovation.

PROBLEM

Most trade show booths can feel outdated & forgettable, despite decades of marketing and tech innovation.

PROBLEM

Most trade show booths can feel outdated & forgettable, despite decades of marketing and tech innovation.

PROBLEM

Upgrade booth experiences with AR, no extra hardware, no complex setup.

SOLUTION

Upgrade booth experiences with AR, no extra hardware, no complex setup.

SOLUTION

Upgrade booth experiences with AR, no extra hardware, no complex setup.

SOLUTION

Upgrade booth experiences with AR, no extra hardware, no complex setup.

SOLUTION

Led end-to-end UI design of the app and built a scalable visual system enabling smooth experiences.

MY ROLE

Led end-to-end UI design of the app and built a scalable visual system enabling smooth experiences.

MY ROLE

Led end-to-end UI design of the app and built a scalable visual system enabling smooth experiences.

MY ROLE

Led end-to-end UI design of the app and built a scalable visual system enabling smooth experiences.

MY ROLE

Discovering

Discovering

Identifying pain points in trade show engagement.

Identifying pain points in trade show engagement.

Traditional booths often failed to make lasting impressions or collect meaningful attendee data. We set out to change that with a mobile-first AR experience designed for interaction, immersion, and measurable results.

Exploring the landscape to uncover opportunity.

Exploring the landscape to uncover opportunity.

Existing tools offered basic interactivity, but most relied on QR codes, required extra hardware, or lacked support for branded customization. Backdrop Alive seeks to simplify the experience, delivering both seamless lead capture and an engaging, interactive booth without the extra setup.

Framing design around real user needs.

Framing design around real user needs.

I created two core personas, an exhibitor and an attendee, to guide decisions around onboarding, content structure, and engagement incentives.

Defining

Defining

Defining goals & mapping core flows.

Defining goals & mapping core flows.

We collaborated cross-functionally to define product goals and map core user flows, focusing on streamlining the experience and reducing friction.

Identifying how users will engage with the application.

Identifying how users will engage with the application.

Identifying how users will engage with the application.

Validating product potential with a single interactive AR flow.

Validating product potential with a single interactive AR flow.

The MVP focused on validating AR engagement. We removed all non-essential features and launched a lightweight prototype that opened directly into the AR experience. It sparked strong attendee reactions and immediate conversations, confirming product potential.

Developing

Developing

Wireframing the login & onboarding flow.

I translated the user flows into low-fidelity wireframes to validate structure, simplify navigation, and test layout decisions early, without the distraction of visuals. I began by wireframing the splash screen and login/registration flow to ensure users could sign in seamlessly before accessing the app.

Building the accounts dashboard.

I designed the accounts page as a centralised space for users to manage booth assets, contacts, and event activity. The layout prioritized clarity and scalability, making it easy to switch between events and update key details with minimal friction.

Key wireframes showing how users manage booths, games, contacts, and events.

Key wireframes showing how users manage booths, games, contacts, and events.

Key wireframes showing how users manage booths, games, contacts, and events.

Delivering

Delivering

Delivering a branded, mobile-first interface.

I translated low-fidelity wireframes into high-fidelity designs that reflected the Backdrop brand, incorporating its colors, typography, and visual elements. The UI was purpose-built for live events, focusing on minimal friction, legibility, and intuitive interactions to drive quick engagement on the show floor.

Registered user, seamless entry into the AR experience.

Unregistered user, friendly error message with clear next steps.

Registered user, seamless entry into the AR experience.

Unregistered user, friendly error message with clear next steps.

Managing contacts/leads & captured events.

Managing contacts/leads & captured events.

Managing contacts/leads & captured events.

Backdrop Dashboard, customizing mini-game rewards & integrating our MVP.

Backdrop Dashboard, customizing mini-game rewards & integrating our MVP.

Backdrop Dashboard, customizing mini-game rewards & integrating our MVP.

Creating a scalable visual system.

I designed a modular UI system to ensure consistency across future features, booths, and AR interactions. This component library includes buttons, nav elements, modals, cards, and inputs, built for mobile-first use and easy scalability.

Results

The success of the MVP led to beta testing with live AR booth activations and paved the way for a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and high-fidelity prototype developed during this phase are now being scaled for production, with a launch planned for late 2025. As the app continues development, the project remains under NDA but the results consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.

Outcome, insights & next steps

The success of the MVP led to beta testing with live AR booth activations and paved the way for a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and high-fidelity prototype developed during this phase are now being scaled for production, with a launch planned for late 2025. As the app continues development, the project remains under NDA but the results consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.

Outcome, insights & next steps

The MVP’s success led to live AR booth activations and a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and prototype are now scaling for a late 2025 launch. While still under NDA, the app has consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.

Outcome, insights & next steps

The success of the MVP led to beta testing with live AR booth activations and paved the way for a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and high-fidelity prototype developed during this phase are now being scaled for production, with a launch planned for late 2025. As the app continues development, the project remains under NDA but the results consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.

Outcome, insights & next steps

Designing for an evolving AR product taught me to think modularly and adapt to unfamiliar user flows. I built a scalable system early and used high-fidelity prototypes to align the team. It strengthened my confidence in emerging tech and balancing speed with consistency.

Reflections & learnings

Designing for an evolving AR product taught me to think modularly and adapt to unfamiliar user flows. I built a scalable system early and used high-fidelity prototypes to align the team. It strengthened my confidence in emerging tech and balancing speed with consistency.

Reflections & learnings

Designing for an evolving AR product taught me to think modularly and adapt to unfamiliar user flows. I built a scalable system early and used high-fidelity prototypes to align the team. It strengthened my confidence in emerging tech and balancing speed with consistency.

Reflections & learnings

Designing for an evolving AR product taught me to think modularly and adapt to unfamiliar user flows. I built a scalable system early and used high-fidelity prototypes to align the team. It strengthened my confidence in emerging tech and balancing speed with consistency.

Reflections & learnings

Adam McCoy

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