New app turns photos of objects into aesthetic archives

Graphic designer David McGillivray has developed Archiv, an app that allows users to create aesthetic archives from everyday objects.

The app, currently in beta, is designed for organizing and identifying the physical world. Users can photograph anything from statues to furniture, and Archiv will convert the images into crisp, aesthetically pleasing representations with a brief description and origin information. Users can share their collections and identify patterns.

McGillivray states the app aims to deepen engagement with the physical world rather than withdraw into the digital. It utilizes Google's AI technology to enhance images, correcting perspective, lighting, and background. The AI also generates basic details about the object, such as its name and when it was photographed.

The beta version includes an automatic sorting system into categories like "Infrastructure" and "Design Objects," along with a sharing functionality. McGillivray is currently focused on bug fixes and is considering adding 3D rendering capabilities in the future. He hopes the app encourages users to view the physical world with greater curiosity.