Archiv
A digital archive with a physical memory
The Design Office of David McGillivray conceived, designed and built Archiv as an independent project within its Think With Your Eyes incubator. The app turns photographs of physical objects into archival images, correcting perspective and lighting while preserving the objects’ imperfections, then identifies and researches them. Its identity connects preservation with utility: a tightly spaced, ligature-rich wordmark recalls carved lettering, while restrained typography and fine lines keep the interface focused on the collection. Custom pictograms add small symbolic scenes. A card-based interaction system takes inspiration from archive drawers, allowing objects to overlap, stack and rearrange. During onboarding, users photograph their first object before taking a guided tour, so processing happens while they learn the interface.
More in white
Insights
- The card system translates archive drawers into interactions that support stacking, rearranging and changing scale.
- A carved-looking wordmark introduces historical associations while the interface remains utilitarian.
- Onboarding pairs the guided tour with image processing, making the first object part of learning the app.
1 / 7Swipe
Keep exploring
Related cases
