Bridging history with augmented-reality

The Museum of Ontario Archaeology was having a problem with vandals using their deteriorating Longhouse for antisocial behaviour. Unfortunately, it had to be removed by the City of London because it became unsafe for the public. I was part of an electric team of designers and developers together to create a immersive augmented reality experience visualizing the reconstructed 16th century indigenous longhouse.

This page showcases the visual design of the first live iteration of the web application before it was handed over to another design group (Learn more). I’m happy to take you through the design thinking process and executions. Drop me a line below.

My role: 

UX Researcher

UI/UX Designer

Usability test conductor

User testing organizer

Project duration:

2018 - 2021

Design method

User Research

Wireframes

UX Design

UI Design

Prototyping

Tools Used: 

Figma

ClickUp

Trello

Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator

Team Members:

Image of Cindy Mena
Image of Cadence
Image of Heni
Image of Noha

Every application presents its own set of problems, however as this was my first augmented experience, I thoroughly loved learning along the process. The goal was to boost the museum attraction of junior audiences.

In addition to my participation on the mobile responsive web application, I collaborated with the museum stakeholders to study how users might interact with the museum's external environment, which used to house the deteriorated Longhouse.

We advocated using QR code scanners to examine artifacts as a starting point for consumers to continue onboarding our newly designed mini-site. This website was designed to familiarize users with our mission and provide opportunity to explore the objects in real time.

Challenge

  1. Conduct strategy for the artifacts in 3D objects then import them into Cinema 4D to render.

  2. Decrease the file size in Cinema 4D so it doesn’t take up mobile loading times.

  3. Encourage younger audiences to attend their museum using an AR reconstruction of the Longhouse.

  4. Design an efficient QR function for the mini-site and AR scanner

  5. Create instructive illustrations showing users how to use the QR code reader

Other technical challenges

Museum of Ontario mobile screens
Image of a AR Arrow Awl artifact
Image of a AR Deer mandible artifact

Cinema 4D video render of what it may have look like inside a longhouse.

AR Demo of the Lawson site Longhouse in real time.

Demo of a Mohawk pot scanned, designed in Cinema 4D and Generated in the app for display.