- Time: During each prompt the user can choose how much time they have available at the moment, thus allowing the application to find a suitable prompt that fits the timeframe the user has available. Ideally the application would collect data on how long the users approximately spend drawing different prompts, thus maintaining a database used to determine the prompt type length.
- Media: Choosing the available media each time allows the application to find a prompt that matches the media the user has available, instead of having to go through a prompt without suitable supplies. For example, if the user only has access to pencils, the application would not recommend a prompt focusing on watercolours.
- Different prompt types: Luova does not provide traditional art education, but it has some elements that relate to it in order to help artists who struggle with individual facets of the process, such as a certain technique or finding inspiration. Most people in my target group benefit from additional tips and materials, such as reference photos, small guides, given subjects, mood boards etc. being immediately at hand. When initiating the drawing process, the user has an option to choose from multiple prompt types: relaxing, challenging, practise, or their own idea. As the users have varying needs every time they want to draw, the selection provides an option for their current mood. Each of these prompt types takes into account the user’s set goals when recommending a particular prompt from within the category.The differences between each prompt category are the following:
- Relax: Providing an option to do something relaxing and easy is important when addressing the issue of not drawing because of insecurity. Many people mentioned during research that it’s important to just get the drawing process started without any pressure, and sometimes it’s valuable to just draw something comfortable and familiar to engage with the drawing process again. This prompt type generates a prompt based on what the user is comfortable drawing and what they usually draw, with an easy medium to use. This is decided based on the data collected during the initial setup questionnaire and the user feedback after each prompt. For example: if the user chose that they usually draw human characters with a digital drawing software, a relaxing prompt would suggest something similar to the user, such as “draw a character in beach attire”. This prompt type is also shorter and more casual than the other prompt types, yet it still provides the relevant supporting materials.
- Challenging: Challenging option is for people who are looking to try and explore a new medium, technique or subject. This prompt is based on the user’s goals: what the user would like to draw more, and what they are unfamiliar with. A challenging prompt path is longer and it features an additional tutorial before each drawing stage. For example, if the user wants to draw more landscapes using ink and watercolours, but has no experience with neither, the application introduces the subject and the medium for the user. Luova helps the user with the sketching stage and then provides an option to continue building on their sketch and move to the next stage on the drawing path. When moving to the inking stage, Luova provides a quick tutorial on how to use liquid ink. During the stages the user can also access the tutorials from menu, as well as browse inspiration material related to the prompt and stage. When the user is finished with that stage, they have the option to continue to colouring their inked work with watercolours, where the app provides a tutorial on watercolour techniques, as well as watercolour related inspiration. Luova supports the user in exploring the new subject and medium throughout the prompt path.
- Practise: Practise is for people who want to sketch something in short time. It follows a croquis-like structure and shows the user a series of quick images around a certain topic. For example, a practise prompt could consist of animal images the user is supposed to sketch in limited time. Quick sketches encourage the user to produce low-fidelity drawings that focus on the basic shapes and an essence of an animal, rather than a detailed realistic piece. Like other prompt types, practise prompts also include tutorials such as how to split animals into basic shapes to make sketching easier.
- Have an idea: This prompt is not generated by the application. Instead it allows the user to draw their own idea using the supporting materials of the application. The user can choose the media and narrow down a subject the tutorials and reference images are based on, thus creating their “own prompt”. For example, if the user wants to draw a still life image of kitchenware using markers, they don’t have to wait for the application to create a suitable prompt, as they can choose what topic they want the supportive materials to be based on. Luova then provides inspiration and reference images of kitchen utensils, along with tutorials on how to use markers as a medium.
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