I believe in the importance of spreading, sharing, relaying information. The more people now, the more they grow and are able to explore the world and themselves. I also experiment with different ways to spread information. For this project, the information is art, specifically my photography. I use augmented reality to place my images on playing cards.
Inspiration:
Living in New York City, there is a constant reminder of the lack of color and vibrancy that could inhabit the structures around us. Yes, there are murals, street art, and graffiti that decorate select parts of the city, but drab gray, brown, and pale dirty walls are everywhere.
As I walk around the city, I think of potential artworks that could fill the space both physically and virtually. In the long run, I believe augmented reality can help in the dissemination of art and color throughout the city. I have a grand idea where proposed art installation can be prototyped via augmented reality and/or a physical space can have a virtual gallery with a constant rotation of artworks.
Before I can turn the city into a gallery, I have to learn how augmented reality works. (This is my first time using Unity.)
Research:
The first link was a false start, but it pointed me in the right direction. (I realized I needed to have a webcam for the testing process and set of instructions that were based on using an Android OS.)
Charlie Gerard - How to create Augmented Reality posters with Unity and Vuforia (1/31/18)
https://medium.com/@devdevcharlie/how-to-create-augmented-reality-posters-with-unity-vuforia-ec80a82e6d51
I eventually found this video and it became the backbone of my project.
YouTube Channel: Playful Technology - How to create an Augmented Reality App (2/10/18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1420&v=MtiUx_szKbI
The above video gives instruction on the unity side but does instruct on how to move the app (APK file) to an Android device. The below video did not give the exact instructions I was looking for, but it was enough information to fill in myself in order to transfer and run the app on my smartphone.
YouTube Channel: Android Apps Junction - How to install apk files on android device (7/12/17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDkV3jBYi2c
Process:
I followed Playful Technology's video step by step minus the segment that adds a video file to the AR app. I focused on the playing cards and decided to put my logo on the decorated side of the card and an image from my collection on the suit facing side of the card.
Visual Documentation:
The Target Image (Image in the physical world):
Augmented Reality Image (Image in the virtual world):
Demo:
The final app targets all of the Ace cards to link with an image from four bodies of work (BlackWhiteColor, Paper Waves, Wait, Life in a Box).
The APK file can be downloaded from the following link: Download APK File Here
