Jimmy Nelson

An immersive experience merging the book “Homage to Humanity” with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

Concept | Interaction Design | Usability Testing

Photographer Jimmy Nelson travels around the world to document cultural groups that live in the most remote places of the globe. His goal is to display the beauty of these immensely rich cultures to the world. His first book "Before They Pass Away" was a great success.

During the creation of his second book "Homage to Humanity", my colleagues and I worked on a digital experience as a companion to the book. This app enables users to discover all the digital content, extending the experience of the book. Actually the book is just the tip of the iceberg. The part that is underneath the surface is all digital.

I was responsible for the concept, interaction design and usability testing during this project.

Download iOS app

Download Android app

Order the book

There is no 'them' and 'us'

Our goal was to make readers of the book feel inspired by and connected to the people they see on the photographs in the book. This gives them insight in how we are all human and can learn from each other. Especially learn about who we are and what is important in our lives.

Interaction design

Before starting to think about screens, I made this flow diagram. This helped us to keep an overview of how all the different parts of the app connect.

In the next step of the design process, I constructed wireframes. These wireframes and annotations show how all the page-level interactions.

In the next step of the design process, I started working on wireframes. These wireframes and annotations show how all the page-level interactions.

Discover the digital content with augmented reality

When you start using the app, you'll learn about a culture by scanning images in the book to view video material that is hidden behind every photo. Also pictures that are seen in other places like galleries, can be scanned.

The virtual reality gallery

After scanning one-third of a chapter and learning about a cultural group, you will be rewarded with access to the virtual gallery. In this gallery you can join Jimmy on his travels in virtual reality.

Connect with other cultures

When you scanned two-third of a chapter, it's time to make a personal connection with the cultural groups. This is where we discover how we're all different, but also all human.

When the reader scanned two-third of a chapter it's time to make a personal connection with the cultural groups. This is where readers discover how we're all different, but also all human.

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