3D World Builder
Web Platform
Infinite Reality
1 month
2025
Challenge
While 3D integration drives engagement, full 3D asset creation can be expensive, slow, and unrealistic for small-to-mid-size brands. Our challenge was to simplify this process for merchants creating a visual system that feels spatial and premium but can be generated from standard product imagery.
Concept & Solution
To solve this, I led creative exploration around decal-based rendering systems:
Translating flat Shopify assets into believable 3D visuals by projecting PNSs onto simplified geometry (cubes, cylinders, spheres).
Allowing brands to “build” interactive environments that still feel dimensional without requiring complex 3D uploads.
Embedding these micro-3D scenes directly into existing product pages, ensuring frictionless integration within the 2D browsing experience.
We framed this not as a “3D world creator,” but as a commerce storytelling tool helping brands visualize, not just display, their products.
Process
1. Research & Ideation
Collaborated with the lead product designer and product manager to identify pain points in 3D creation for non-technical users.
Analyzed existing 3D commerce ecosystems (Shopify, Sketchfab, Adobe Dimension) to map usability gaps.
Conducted creative brainstorming sessions with product and 3D teams to define what “immersive, yet shoppable” could look like for everyday merchants.
2. Wireframing & Flow Definition
Mapped simplified user flows for product-specific embeds, reducing early decision paralysis.
Sketched potential creation screens for multiple product types like vinyl records, wallpaper, books, furniture with each using unique geometric primitives to simulate depth.
Designed variant states for 2D ↔ 3D transitions, exploring ways to display interactivity while maintaining page performance.
3. Visual Exploration
Created visual studies exploring decal projection fidelity and lighting consistency across embedded scenes.
Designed lightweight interface mockups balancing visual depth and eComemrce clarity so users can explore products without leaving PDPs.
Partnered with engineers to validate performance feasibility for high-traffic merchant stores.
Example Use Cases
Wallpaper brands → toggle room settings, visualize textures.
Bookshops → open-to-preview animation embedded in listings.
Record stores → rotating vinyl mockups with playable previews.
Furniture → 360° swatch preview without leaving page context.
Wallpaper Use Case
Bookshop Use Case
Record Store Use Case
Furniture Store Use Case
Music Tour Merch Use Case
Conclusion
Reduced onboarding complexity by 40% through simplified geometry templates.
Enabled 3D integration for any Shopify merchant no modeling experience required.
Defined the foundational visual framework for Phase 2, introducing modular scene templates.
PRD Reference below: