Bridging Physical and Digital Art
The AR Mural project transforms a static wall painting into an interactive augmented reality experience. Using marker-based AR tracking, the mural comes alive when viewed through a mobile device.
AR Features
- Animated overlays on static mural elements
- 3D models integrated with the physical artwork
- Interactive hotspots revealing artist information
- Sound design synchronized with visual elements
- Multi-user experience - share the AR with others
- Photo mode to capture and share the augmented view
Built with Unity and AR Foundation, the experience works on both iOS and Android devices. The project demonstrates how technology can enhance traditional art forms and create new modes of engagement.
The Problem
Static murals are beautiful but passive. The challenge was to transform a physical artwork into an interactive storytelling medium without damaging the original art.
The Solution
Developed an Augmented Reality (AR) application using Unity and Vuforia. The app recognizes the mural image as a target and overlays 3D animations and audio spatialization.
Design & Development Process
3D scanned the location to test occlusion. Modeled animated elements in Blender. Programmed interaction logic in C# for Unity. Conducted on-site testing to calibrate tracking under varying lighting conditions.
Challenges Faced
Lighting variations outdoors caused tracking instability. Implemented detailed feature-point analysis and added a 'ghost' overlay guide to help users align their camera.
Outcomes
Created a functional robust AR prototype that increased viewer engagement time from seconds to minutes.
Key Learnings
Mastered AR Foundation and Vuforia workflows. Understood the constraints of mobile AR hardware regarding thermal throttling and battery usage.
