Augmented reality (AR) has already seen use in online shopping, helping customers choose items in furniture and fashion. Now online artistic marketplace Redbubble is letting customers explore its gallery of art and merchandise with AR.
Redbubble was started in 2006 to act as an online marketplace for independent artists who wanted to sell their works. The site allows artists to offer customers various different types of merchandise featuring their designs, such as t-shirts and other apparel, bags, stationary and wall art, among other things.
The updated version of the Redbubble iOS app allows customers to try items before they buy, such as place virtual cushions on a sofa, try out different colours and designs of t-shirt, test out the best placement of stickers, or virtually decorate their walls with Redbubble artwork, testing out if they prefer canvas or metal, portrait or landscape.
The use of AR allows users to test out products to find the perfect fit, even to the point of trying on clothing to find what size, colour and design in the perfect fit. Since Redbubble is populated by independent artists, users will be able to buy the product they decide on knowing it will go straight to the artist.
Redbubble have also announced that they are also offering cases for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, to tie in to the updated app and the announcement of Apple’s new product.
The Redbubble AR app is currently only available on iOS through the Apple App Store. There has been no word on plans to port it to Android.
VRFocus will continue to report on new and innovative uses for AR technology.