In this blog I am going to be showing my problem solving processes, and to think outside the box to come up with original concepts. I am going to be researching my project further to understand the opportunity I can make with AR.
Image 1 – The Wilberforce graffiti mural created by Dan Cullen & Tania Fu. You can see they have used colour & went for a cartoon approach. 
Image 2 – I found another mural located near Spar 
Image 3 – Is the mural from image 1.
What I originally wanted to make my AR concept to be about was to enhance the nature around the university campus as it is an urban area which means there is not much nature or wildlife surrounding the premises. Upon looking around the campus I have seen a few murals on the walls which has got me thinking how I could make my project interactive & bring to life which made me consider using AR to do so. I wanted to identify specific aspects of nature I wanted to improve such as environmental awareness. Instead of wanting to use AR only to just enhance the physical world I want my project to educate users to make them more environmentally aware and to appreciate nature because the decline in wildlife in the UK is a concern I want to expand on using augmented reality.
- According to the BBC.co.uk website the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe, with an average of half its biodiversity left. Ever since 1970, the wildlife in the UK with one in seven species risk being on the verge of extinction. This means the UK is in the bottom 10% globally for biodiversity.
- Prof Andy Purvis, leader of the Natural History museum in London mentions how biodiversity is more than something beautiful to look at and states “its what what provides us with so many of our basic needs. It’s the foundation of our society.”
- According to nbn.org.uk plants are on the decline, more than 54% of plant species have experienced a decrease, meaning this is a potential threat to plant biodiversity
- Pollinator species (Bees,moths,hoverflies) are on an average decline of 18%, this is worrisome as they are crucial for pollination which is essential for the reproduction of plants.
- Invertebrates have decreased in the UK by 13% which raises concern in overall ecosystem health, especially with the concern of flowering plants & agricultural health.
After doing some research into the British wildlife system I have noticed some injustices towards many species in the wild, the human race has put more emphasis on urban society with very little regard to wildlife & nature around us. With these statistics I can use AR to show an understanding with a modern and unique dimension to make the exploration of nature more accessible & engaging. With these facts I can create a concept about nature and how it can impact us.
Storyboard
I have come up with a storyboard concept for my emerging technology portfolio, this will help me sketch out all my ideas I have for when it comes to my Augmented Reality. By drawing my ideas in a sequential format I am able to get a clear understanding in where I want the direction of my project to go as I can easily identify any issues with my project early on.
out.
In summary my storyboard shows a device can transform the area they are in by adding digital assets of local wildlife through the camera lens to project the interactive animation, once this is done so the animations will start. The user will see each asset ease into the screen, have a speech bubble hover over them before finally easing out of the frame. This is done so it creates room for another asset to ease in and present a face. Each animation will be different depending on what animal it is. For example, A butterfly asset will be different compared to a hedgehog asset as the butterfly will be in the air and the hedgehog is on the floor so they will both have different movements.
After delving into research into my nature augmented reality project to help create a project that not only showcases the wonders of nature but to also do so responsibly & sustainably.
CBBC. “Biodiversity: UK Is One of the World’s Most Nature-Depleted Countries – CBBC Newsround.” Www.bbc.co.uk, 11 Oct. 2021, www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/58863097. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
“State of Nature 2023.” National Biodiversity Network, 27 Sept. 2023, nbn.org.uk/news/state-of-nature-2023/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.