AI NAIL ART

Reap financial rewards from your nail concepts with Umia, a company that uses artificial intelligence to deliver designs to clients’ fingertips

The world of nail technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and as a nail professional, staying at the forefront of innovations is crucial. Canadian brand, Umia, has created a fully automated artificial intelligence (AI) manicure studio that can apply intricate patterns directly to nails: an action that allows nail technicians to perform and showcase artistry at speed.

The idea for Umia’s tech began in 2018, when the founding team first encountered a DIY nail stamp printer. While impressive for its time, it was also imperfect, as inconsistent image quality and complicated processes revealed significant gaps in the technology. The Umia team, driven by curiosity and a passion for innovation, saw an opportunity to create something better.

After conducting extensive research and surveys among nearly 1,000 individuals, Umia uncovered several barriers that prevented people from fully embracing nail services. High costs, time constraints and concerns about potential damage topped the list. Determined to break down these barriers, Umia assembled a team of engineers and embarked on a six-year development journey. The result is a manicure studio, designed to make opening a nail salon more affordable by bypassing big labour and supply costs.

“The nail industry faces unique challenges,” shares TX Qiu, Umia co-founder. “Nail professionals often work long hours creating intricate designs, but without proper ergonomics, this hard work can lead to physical strain. Adding more clients TX Qiu per nail artist is not feasible when trying to grow a business, therefore solutions that can aid growth and profit are welcome.”

“By integrating advanced technology with artistry and efficiency, Umia is creating a new era in the nail industry.”

Technology driving precision & customisation

Clients can browse a wide selection of nail art options, which have been designed by nail professionals, via the Umia app. Once they have chosen their preferred style, they can book a nearby automated studio. The process is quick and intuitive, making it easy for customers to enjoy personalised nail art without long wait times or inconsistent results.

Umia’s precision algorithm, trained on over 100,000 data points, adapts each design to the unique shape, curvature and texture of a client’s nails. This ensures that patterns are applied flawlessly. TX Qui continues: “While many designs go viral on social media or serve as inspiration for customers in salons, the original creators often don’t see the rewards of their artistic efforts. Clients frequently bring screenshots of these designs to the salon for replication, but the original artist rarely gets credit or compensation.”

Umia’s platform is designed with nail artists in mind, offering them a unique opportunity to be recognised and compensated for their creative work. Every time a client selects a nail art design via Umia’s system, the artist behind that design receives payment – similarly to how a musician or photographer earns royalties for their work. This empowers artists to monetise their creativity and gain global exposure.

By automating the time-consuming tasks involved in intricate nail art, professionals can serve more clients in a day, which helps to reduce customer waiting times, while increasing efficiency and boosting both revenue and client happiness.

Additionally, Umia makes it easier for salons to scale their operations. By reducing the need for manual labour and streamlining the nail art process, salon owners can serve more clients without needing to hire additional staff. This lowers overhead costs and maximises revenue potential. Umia can even allow for business hours to be extended, welcoming more clients without staffing challenges.

Unlocking new revenue streams

Umia’s machine locator feature within its app can drive new traffic to a nail salon. When customers seek out the convenience of Umia’s services, salons can take advantage of additional opportunities to upsell complementary treatments or retail products. By boosting foot traffic and increasing client satisfaction, Umia becomes a valuable asset for long-term business growth.

“One of the most exciting aspects of Umia’s technology is its potential to make high-quality nail art accessible in venues beyond traditional nail salons,” shares Umia co-founder, Modi Liu. “From shopping malls and cafés to theme parks and even casinos, Umia’s automated manicure studio can be Modi Liu installed in a wide range of non-traditional spaces. This opens up opportunities for salons to expand their services into high-traffic locations, capturing larger audiences and growing customer bases.”

Modi continues: “Looking ahead, Umia aims to bring its technology to nail salons worldwide, helping businesses everywhere transform their operations and improve customer satisfaction. As both a beauty and technology company, Umia remains committed to advancing its AI-driven manicure solutions to enhance the overall client experience.”

For salon owners, Umia offers a reliable, highly competent ‘employee’ that consistently delivers flawless results. The precision and consistency of Umia’s technology reduces the need for extensive training, and minimises the risks associated with human error. This is especially valuable in an industry where employee turnover can lead to inconsistent service quality and fluctuating customer satisfaction.

By integrating advanced technology with artistry and efficiency, Umia is creating a new era in the nail industry – one that prioritises both creativity and sustainability. With its ability to elevate artistry, automate precise designs and enhance business operations, Umia has the power to supercharge the nail game.

www.umia.beauty