Android live wallpapers
By leveraging Google intelligence, we can offer more tailored wallpaper experiences and introduce to users the capabilities native within Pixel’s smartness. Some examples of these experiences include Cinematic wallpaper, Bloom live wallpapers, and Emoji live wallpaper.
CINEMATIC WALLPAPER
CINEMATIC WALLPAPER
Cinematic wallpaper
Cinematic wallpaper is a feature that gets an existing single image and reconstructs 3D from it. This allows users to generate some dynamic camera movements on the 3D scene that will create a parallax effect. Collaboration with cinematic moments research team, AiAi, Android SysUI.
Live interactive wallpapers
Our research shows that 40% of users use their photos as wallpapers. We want to create delightful moments by making users’ photo wallpapers come alive using Google AI & technology.
Development
Cinematic wallpaper is an effect created by a group of algorithms, techniques and ML models that can apply a 3D parallax effect to an already existing photo. I worked closely with the developers to identify key considerations for creating a successful 3D image.
How it works
The image detects depth to create this separation from the foreground to background, that results in the parallax effect.
Generated mesh examples
Prototype testings
During testings with our developers, we consider clear depth extraction from foreground and background and look at different visual treatments that can be applied within the 3D effect. With depth map, we can surface more of the 3D effect by darkening the background layer.
UX design process
Here are the early stages of prototyping and some initial sketches for the Cinematic wallpaper navigational flow. I began exploring various picker displays, collaborating with eng and defining the problems with usability testings.
Final UX design flow
This is an overview of the full-screen Cinematic wallpaper picker experience.
Users start with selecting a photo from My Photos library, which brings them into the preview state where they will be able to select the new sparkle icon. This will enable the feature dialog in which users can toggle on the effect.
Animation of the entire UX flow for Cinematic wallpaper
Failed application flow
This slide shows what would happen if we can’t apply the Cinematic effect. It would then prompt users to try a different photo or continue without the effect.
Animation of a failed Cinematic wallpaper flow
Main interactions
Here are some example recordings of the Cinematic effect applied to some key moments. We have the preview animation, unlock transition, home screen gyro, and page swipe.
Watch Dave Burke, VP Engineering for the Android platform, give a demo of Cinematic wallpaper (1:40-2:50 timestamp) at the Google I/O 2023 conference.
BLOOM LIVE WALLPAPERS
BLOOM LIVE WALLPAPERS
Bloom live wallpapers
Bloom live wallpapers are a continuation of Pixel 6 Bloom Hero showcasing advanced depth motion, dynamic theme change with light theme/dark theme support, and lightfield technology (a concept unique to Google where users can create 3D objects out of the light field).
↪ Lightfield x Artist collaboration
Design workflow
Here is the workflow that went into the design process of Live Bloom. The team has extensively collaborated with the engineering and color teams for quality assurance, smooth transition across system areas, delightful device interaction, versatile colors, and stable performance.
Quality assurance
Cross checking with color team for UI. For the sake of accuracy, during the production phase, I am constantly flashing the latest build onto my device to test the wallpapers with different UI use cases. I need to ensure legibility of text and app icon titles.
This is the manual color selection process for the UI.
This is an overview showing how the software is integrated with the wallpaper. A cohesive design system and color palette.
Final design outputs
These are the final design outputs for the Bloom live collection. We’ve considered backgrounding, lighting adjustments, as well as manual UI Color. Here are the Bloom live sets: Maki Dahlia LT&DT, Flamingo LT&DT, Boat Orchid LT&DT, and Persian Buttercup LT&DT.
Watch this detailed video tutorial showcasing Google Pixel 7 Bloom Live Wallpapers on any Android device.