Bringing Drawings to Life
I love experimenting with new technologies and AR is a particularly fascinating one that we will see more of in the coming years. I've always wanted to put together an interactive art exhibition in my home island of Mykonos in which people can see famous landmarks come to life using their mobile devices. The artwork would be printed on large canvases and when viewed through a phone or tablet camera the artwork would start changing. Either by 'popping out' of the canvas, create the illusion of depth or elements on the painting to move. P.S. For anyone who's interested the landmark is called Paraportiani and it's located in Mykonos, Greece!
First Steps
First, I set out to create the artwork that would eventually be printed, ensuring it was designed to appear three-dimensional. Using Procreate, I leveraged its layering capabilities to maintain a hand-drawn effect while experimenting with techniques to cover ‘blind spots’—areas traditionally hidden when viewed from a single angle. This phase allowed me to push creative boundaries and develop a unique visual experience.
Next, I researched similar interactive experiences to identify common patterns and best practices. A recurring theme was simplicity: most successful projects stripped functionality down to the essentials—pointing a camera at the artwork to trigger the transformation. Inspired by this, I aimed to replicate that seamless, magical interaction, making the viewer’s experience as intuitive and captivating as possible.
Process
I then set to work bringing my vision to life with code. I developed the app prototype in Xcode using ARKit, which made it easier to test with the devices I had on hand. Essentially, the app detects a reference image and overlays pre-specified layers, scaling them appropriately. While this initial solution was far from perfect, it quickly demonstrated the potential of the concept.
For the actual implementation, I would need to determine the optimal number of layers for each image, as managing 10-12 pieces of artwork could easily become unwieldy. Another challenge would be to figure out efficient storage for all these layers. Storing them on the device would consume significant storage space, whereas cloud storage could result in slower loading times, especially in areas with variable signal strength. This balance between performance and practicality is crucial to ensure a seamless and immersive user experience in these sorts of apps.
Outcome
With the concept and prototype in hand, I aspire to one day bring this interactive art experience to life, showcasing the beauty of Mykonos to both locals and tourists through a fresh, innovative lens. By blending traditional art with cutting-edge technology, I hope to offer a unique perspective on our island’s landmarks.
My ultimate goal is to inspire the younger generation to embrace creativity, showing them that the fusion of art and technology can unlock new realms of expression and storytelling. This project is not just about visual spectacle; it’s about igniting a passion for innovation and artistic exploration in the hearts of future creators.