The design of a smartphone-based AR application to support the experiential quality of life-like in a museum

Sammanfattning: In the perfect scenario, augmented reality (AR) is described to blend the physical world with virtual elements in such way that the user can’t differentiate them, having the potential to make the interactions with virtual objects in an AR experience feel life-like. With the latest advancements in AR for mobile devices, applications that use this technology are increasing. Many cultural heritage sites and museums take advantage of integrating AR in their programs to create enriched environments and increased engagement from their audience. This study investigated how to design for a life-like experience in a museum environment, presenting animated virtual animals that represent the same preserved animals exhibited in the physical environment. The study was grounded in a Research through Design process where a smartphone application prototype was developed and tested to find important elements that create life-like interactions. The functionalities that were developed for the prototype were discussed by their experiential qualities and summarized into points that a designer should consider when designing for a similar life-like experience.