This is where I began my understand of Augmented Reality (AR) using Adobe Aero (beta). Using the skills I learned in the workshop I created the beginnings of a site-specific AR project that interacts with the environment of Bristol city centre. I chose Bristol because it is where I have grown up, and is subsequently the city I have the most knowledge of.
Augmented Reality is something that I have had almost no experience with. I know how to use it as a feature on other apps and games, but as far as creating my own space, I have never tried it. My first impressions of it were very similar to a lot of other new software experiences. Initially I expected it to be overly complicated and hard to get to grips with, but following the tutorial, I found it intuitive and quite a simple user interface to navigate. I learnt how to activate animations using the set characters the software gives you, as well as control letters by adding 'triggers' and 'actions'. It was to my surprise, quite an easy way to implement my digital work into the real world which was interesting to see so quickly. It made what I was doing feel successful and good fun.
"The Bear Pit" is an iconic roundabout in the heart of Bristol's city centre. It used to be the home of a large geometric bear statue that was covered in white and grey stripes. Unfortunately, in the passing years it was taken down, so I thought what better way to digitally impact the space than by placing an origami bear overlooking the area and animating it. I used what I learnt in the tutorial to make the bear move when the camera gets within 100 metres. I also included a small lake to the ground that can be viewed from above and around the roundabout, but disappears when within 10 metres or so.
I enjoyed doing this, though in the future I would prefer to use the software on a different device as a laptop doesn't always give you the same experience a keyboard and mouse does. I would also like to spend more time understand how to implement my own work and designs into the software, to achieve more unique work. I feel this would really build up a connection between myself and augmented reality as a whole.
