Backdrop Alive app screens, including the AR prize wheel, login and account pages

backdrop alive | ~6 min read TIME

Turning static graphics into interactive mobile-first experiences.

Backdrop Alive is a mobile-first application that transforms static trade show backdrops into dynamic AR experiences. I led the UI design and crafted an intuitive interface that lets attendees interact through branded mini-games, motion backgrounds, and prize redemption systems. The app is designed to increase participation & streamline lead capture, without the need for QR codes or extra hardware.

PROBLEM

Most trade show booths can feel outdated & forgettable, despite decades of marketing and tech innovation.

SOLUTION

Upgrade booth experiences with AR, no extra hardware, no complex setup.

MY ROLE

Led end-to-end UI design of the app and built a scalable visual system enabling smooth experiences.

Discovering

Identifying pain points in trade show engagement.

Traditional booths often failed to make lasting impressions or collect meaningful attendee data. We set out to change that with a mobile-first AR experience designed for interaction, immersion, and measurable results.

Busy trade show floor with rows of exhibitor booths

Exploring the landscape to uncover opportunity.

Existing tools offered basic interactivity, but most relied on QR codes, required extra hardware, or lacked support for branded customization. Backdrop Alive seeks to simplify the experience, delivering both seamless lead capture and an engaging, interactive booth without the extra setup.

Marketing pages from competing event engagement tools
Dashboard and mobile screens from competing event apps

Framing design around real user needs.

I created two core personas, an exhibitor and an attendee, to guide decisions around onboarding, content structure, and engagement incentives.

Persona card for Marketing Maria, a senior marketing coordinator exhibiting at trade shows
Persona card for Curious Chris, an event attendee

Defining

Defining goals & mapping core flows.

We collaborated cross-functionally to define product goals and map core user flows, focusing on streamlining the experience and reducing friction.

User flow from the splash screen through login or registration to the main app hub
Identifying how users will engage with the application.

Validating product potential with a single interactive AR flow.

The MVP focused on validating AR engagement. We removed all non-essential features and launched a lightweight prototype that opened directly into the AR experience. It sparked strong attendee reactions and immediate conversations, confirming product potential.

Attendee using the AR experience on a phone in front of a Backdrop Alive booth
Phones showing the claim your prize and prize wheel screens

Developing

Wireframing the login & onboarding flow.

I translated the user flows into low-fidelity wireframes to validate structure, simplify navigation, and test layout decisions early, without the distraction of visuals. I began by wireframing the splash screen and login/registration flow to ensure users could sign in seamlessly before accessing the app.

Hand-drawn sketches of the splash, login, register and account screens

Building the accounts dashboard.

I designed the accounts page as a centralised space for users to manage booth assets, contacts, and event activity. The layout prioritized clarity and scalability, making it easy to switch between events and update key details with minimal friction.

Low-fidelity wireframes of the account, contacts and events screens
Key wireframes showing how users manage booths, games, contacts, and events.

Delivering

Delivering a branded, mobile-first interface.

I translated low-fidelity wireframes into high-fidelity designs that reflected the Backdrop brand, incorporating its colors, typography, and visual elements. The UI was purpose-built for live events, focusing on minimal friction, legibility, and intuitive interactions to drive quick engagement on the show floor.

Hand holding a phone showing the Backdrop Alive login screen
Registered user, seamless entry into the AR experience.
Unregistered user, friendly error message with clear next steps.
Contact, lead and event dashboard screens
Managing contacts/leads & captured events.
Backdrop Dashboard, customizing mini-game rewards & integrating our MVP.

Creating a scalable visual system.

I designed a modular UI system to ensure consistency across future features, booths, and AR interactions. This component library includes buttons, nav elements, modals, cards, and inputs, built for mobile-first use and easy scalability.

Backdrop Alive UI component library with buttons, navigation, inputs and cards

Results

Outcome, insights & next steps

The success of the MVP led to beta testing with live AR booth activations and paved the way for a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and high-fidelity prototype developed during this phase are now being scaled for production, with a launch planned for late 2025. As the app continues development, the project remains under NDA but the results consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.The MVP’s success led to live AR booth activations and a full product build, expanding into user accounts and lead capture. The design system and prototype are now scaling for a late 2025 launch. While still under NDA, the app has consistently exceeded benchmarks at events.

Reflections & learnings

Designing for an evolving AR product taught me to think modularly and adapt to unfamiliar user flows. I built a scalable system early and used high-fidelity prototypes to align the team. It strengthened my confidence in emerging tech and balancing speed with consistency.

Contact

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Skills

Web Design • AI-Assisted Design • Brand Identity • Front-End Development • Motion & Animation

Say hello!

adam@adammccoy.io