GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Pain Points
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Hand rendering: Hard to capture to scale, and no ability to view from different angles
3D modeling: Usually done at end of project, so less opportunity to evaluate design at early stages
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Opportunity
Google Geo can create an external ecosystem that enables organizations to anchor their own geospatial data on our map, and contribute data to our world model. Contextual awareness of the surrounding environment can reduce carbon impact, while maximizing building orientation and sunlight. Google Earth is the original Digital Twin. Millions of users expect to be able to use and build upon it. 3D visualization within Google Earth can open a new market and increase engagement.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Target User: Prosumer
Prosumers are consumers that are also creators, involved in design, engineering, manufacturing, or development of products or services outside of the enterprise context. They require something more customizable than the standard Google Maps and Earth application. Prosumers include architects, engineers, construction professionals, property managers, game developers, and content creators.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
How might architects, engineers, and content creators use Google Earth to visualize their 3D models in the real world?
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
But first, let’s assess the
existing Google Earth app
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Search
Voyager
Random
Saved
Map Style
Historical Imagery
Add Placemark
Draw Line
Street View
Zoom
2D / 3D Toggle
Compass
Current Location
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Assessment of Existing Google Earth
Information Architecture (2022)
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Assessment of Existing Google Earth
Information Architecture (2022)
Search
Voyager
Random
Saved
Map Style
Historical Imagery
Add Placemark
Draw Line
Street View
Zoom
2D / 3D Toggle
Compass
Voyager and Random Destination should be grouped with Compass and Current Location since they all deal with accessing locations
Add Placemark, and Draw Line should be grouped together in toolbar
Lacking main header, prosumer toolbar, Google Earth logo, and user avatar
There should be a separate, defined Viewport panel to toggle viewing options
Search is not easily visible and uninviting
Current Location
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Redesign of Google Earth Interface, Information Architecture & New Features
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
New Features Ideation
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Redesigned Google Earth
Information Architecture
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Redesigned Google Earth
Information Architecture
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
+ Placemark
+ Annotation
Select
Draw Line
Brush
Eraser
Measure
Save View
Share / Export
+ Media
+ 3D Object
My Placemarks
My Projects
Media
Annotations
Orbit
2D / 3D View Toggle
Street View
Set Object as Focal Point
Map Layers
Lock View
Viewport Layout
Zoom
Compass
Current Location
Voyager
Random
Historical Imagery
Redesigned Google Earth
Information Architecture
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Use Case
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Meet Jane, an architect working with clients to design sustainable environments.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She is working on installing solar panels in Dusable Park, Chicago.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She wants to visualize her solar panel CAD designs in Google Earth.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She goes on Google Earth …
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
… and searches for Dusable Park.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She inspects and measures the area for the solar panel installation.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She goes to “My Projects” on Google Earth …
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
… and creates a new project, inviting teammates to collaborate.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
… and creates a new project, inviting teammates to collaborate (animated).
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She looks to import her 3D solar panel.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
The 3D solar panels are imported into Google Earth.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She manipulates the 3D object to find the right position.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She places the solar panel object.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She imports her 3D model and places it (animated).
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She leaves comments for her teammates.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
She exports visualizations to JPG as part of her proposal.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Jane presents her solar panel design for Dusable Park with Google Earth visualizations.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Additional Features
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Jane can explore other designs for Dusable Park, and
modify the surrounding environment with color.
She can place 3D objects in different layers.
Benny Hung’s Portfolio
Jane can have multiple viewports to ensure object placement accuracy.
GOOGLE EARTH | 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL
Benny Hung’s Portfolio