Augmented Reality

ABOUT AUGMENTED REALITY

Augmented Reality (AR) offers interactive experiences through multiple sensory modalities, including haptic, auditory, visual, somatosensory and more. Via a phone, tablet, headset, smart display or magic mirror, AR can materialize in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objects.

The global AR market size reached $4.16 Billion in 2020 and is projected to grow from $6.12 Billion in 2021 to $97.76 Billion in 2028 (according to Fortune Business Insights).

While the Gaming and Media & Entertainment industries lead the market, industries such as automotive, retail, healthcare, education and manufacturing also play a vital role in the success of AR.

According to eMarketer, 93.3 million people will use AR at least once per month in 2021, which represents 28.1% of the US population. eMarketer shows 83.7 million AR users in 2020 and project 110.1 million AR users in 2023.

To better understand the current AR audience, we can look at a recent study by Global Web Index. According to Global Web Index, 35% of participants that experienced AR in the previous month were in the 16-24 age group while another 35% were in the 25-34 age group. People between the ages of 35-44 accounted for 27% of those who experienced AR during the previous month. The lowest percentage of AR users comes from those in the 55-64 age group at 3%. Another interesting piece of information from this study highlights that more men (29%) engage with AR compared to women (17%).

As the study above shows, AR is finding its way in to everyday life for US Millennials and Gen Zs. The demographics combined with higher session engagement times when compared to traditional advertising makes AR a valuable tool for businesses, especially marketing, advertising and sales professionals. According to research from Vibrant Media, 67% of media planners and buyers wish to incorporate more AR into their campaigns.

MY AR VISION

As a Marketing Professional, I use AR as a B2C and B2B marketing tool to promote Events, Products and Brand Storytelling – just to name a few. With the goal of creating deeper brand loyalty, recognition and influence buying decisions, marketers should turn to AR to enable customers to model and try on clothing, makeup, sunglasses, watches, headwear, hair styles and hair colors, home furniture and more. AR makes this all possible while simultaneously eliminating the need to physically interact with your audience on-site or in-store. We know that fitting rooms and test drives are an important part of the sales process. While the human element should not be completely disregarded or devalued, AR combines this concept with convenience, speed and accuracy. 

AR in B2B marketing has the scope to create dynamic sales marketing materials to help any business shine above its competition. AR sales tools such as interactive business cards or interactive sales flyers allow potential customers to see and interact your company’s digital content at any time while also “planting the seed” and serving as a reminder of what your company is capable of.

I also build AR projects with a Sponsorship Sales focus at the top of mind. AR can provide clients with an alternative, popular and immersive experience for its target audience. An engaging experience combined with interactive branding and product opportunities, or unique product discounts and offerings provides clients and sponsors credibility as a more persuasive and forward-thinking brand. Especially when compared to traditional print or digital banner advertising methods.

AR plays an important role in optimizing the post-sales process too. Often, customers will find themselves relying on online information or user manuals that can be difficult to navigate, which can often lead to frustration and negative business image in the mind of consumers. AR has the potential to offer immersive, easy to access information on a product or business service.

Internally, AR can be your secret weapon to close a sale. Data visualization, for instance, has always been critical to the success of a corporation. The ability for everyone involved to access, dissect and discuss the data is imperative. Both internal and external audiences (such as potential or existing clients) need access to a wide range of data such as performance metrics, event logistics and layouts, campaign demographics, marketing strategy, social responsibility information, etc. Implementing AR can lead to dynamic sales presentations that will overshadow traditional salesmen who are not equipped with custom AR apps, AR experiences and 360-degree visualizations.

THANK YOU!

Portal Door 360 Video - Indiana Pacers St. Vincent Training Facility

The goal of this project was to create an Augmented Reality Portal Door iPhone App. The app was to feature a 360 Degree Video provided to my by a colleague at the IndyStar. The app was built using Unity software.

The 360 Degree Video explores the new St. Vincent Center, which is a state-of-the-art training facility for the Indiana Pacers as well as a St. Vincent medical facility that provides primary care, cardiovascular and sports performance services for both athletes and the general public.

The five-story, privately financed, 130,000-square-foot facility is located directly across from Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It houses two NBA regulation practice courts, weight room, training room, other amenities, and all offices for Pacers basketball staff. The St. Vincent Center is the 20th stand-alone training facility built by an NBA team since 1999.

The two Pacers practice floors recognize franchise stalwarts. One is named in honor of the Pacers' Hall of Fame former coach and current broadcaster Bobby "Slick" Leonard. The other honors former general manager and Pacers president and CEO Donnie Walsh, who continues as a basketball consultant to the team.

"Competing at the highest level of basketball means we must provide a training facility that can help these elite athletes prepare to perform at their optimum level," Pacers owner Herb Simon said. "And we are overjoyed to have such a wonderful and equally committed partner in St. Vincent."

Remote Control (RC) Lamborghini

The goal of this project was to build a Remote Control Car (RC) iPhone App using Augmented Reality instead of a physical car or toy car. I used a free Lamborghini 3D model for this project along with Unity 3D software.

The phone acts as a controller to move the car forwards, backwards, left and right. The controller also has built-in features that change the vehicle colors, size and turn headlights and brake lights on and off.

The app uses Ground Plane Detection to find an open surface to display the RC Lamborghini.

3D Wine Bottle - IndyStar Wine & Food Experience

The goal of this project was to promote the IndyStar Wine & Food Experience in Augmented Reality via an iPhone App. This project displays a free 3D Wine Bottle on top of an IndyStar Wine & Food Experience flyer promoting the event. This project was built with Vuforia and Unity software.

I built the Wine Bottle using Vuforia Image Targeting.

Future enhancements include adding animation to the Wine Bottle. The Wine Bottle can also be customized to display any brand of wine.

WRLD3D Washington D.C

The goal of this project was to build an Augmented Reality map of Washington D.C. to explore via iPhone App.

This project was built using Unity and the WRLD3D SDK.

Future enhancements include exploring more unique places across the globe!

IN Sports App Newspaper

The goal of this project was to promote the new IndyStar IN Sports App through Augmented Reality. The ad is running as a half page inside The Indianapolis Star newspaper.

This project was built with Blippar AR and its free BlippBuilder tool.

Future enhancements include building this experience in Unity as a non-third party experience.

IndyStar Community Impact Newspaper Ad

The goal of this project was to promote the IndyStar's Community Impact Campaign through Augmented Reality. The ad is running as a Quarter Page inside The Indianapolis Star newspaper.

This project was built with Blippar AR and its free BlippBuilder tool.

Future enhancements include building this experience in Unity as a non-third party experience.

IndyStar Wine & Food Experience Newspaper Ad

The goal of this project was to promote the IndyStar Wine & Food Experience and drive ticket sales through Augmented Reality. The ad is running as a Full Page inside The Indianapolis Star newspaper.

This project was built with Blippar AR and its free BlippBuilder tool.

Future enhancements include building this experience in Unity as a non-third party experience.