Anthropology 402 (Museum Studies & Technology): Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality (AR) is another type of computer-simulated experience that overlays digital objects – such as images, animation, text, and audio – onto the real world by using special equipment. Smartphone and tablet AR apps are the most common equipment, but there are special AR glasses and headsets too. Common examples of AR include the games Pokémon Go and Angry Birds, as well as SnapChat lenses and Instagram filters.

This is an excellent tool for creating virtual tours and educational content by by museums, archives, parks, and other cultural heritage organizations parks. It is also used by businesses to allow prospective customers to virtually try out new furniture in their home or virtually try on clothing.

CSUF Resources

• Pollak Library's Virtual Reality guide (Related Experiences section)
• CSUF I.T's Innovation Center (Mixed Reality requipment)
• Consultations, curriculum development, and classroom instruction available from the Digital Scholarship Librarian Colleen Robledo Greene.

Augmented Reality by Aether Io from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

Google Arts & Culture A/R Apps

Use your smartphone to access the Augmented Reality (AR) experiences available from the free Google Arts & Culture app. We will explore the Art Filter app and the Art Projector app.

In the mobile app:

1. Select the Play menu
2. Choose the Camera option
3. Test the Art Filter app
4. Test the Art Projector app

Google Arts & Culture is a free web-based platform and partnership between Google and over 2,000 cultural organizations throughout the world. The platform provides access to digital collections, digital exhibitions, and other immersive experiences by these organizations. Many of these experiences can be viewed and navigated on a computer browser, but some require the free mobile apps.