Curtin University

Year Completed | 2024

Introduction

Perth AR is a mobile-based augmented reality digital map app that works with a paper map of Perth. It lets users explore various locations, attractions, trails, and information about the city of Perth with the help of Augmented Reality (AR). AR allows users to explore the space around Perth, plan fun excursions, and elevate their spatial awareness of the city. Users can choose from various topics ranging from attractions in Perth, arts and culture in Perth, leisure activities in Perth, and its beaches to looking at Perth City in a richer and more immersive 3D view.

Perth AR - Augmented paper and digital map APP

Contents

Research suggests that Digital maps are less efficient for spatial knowledge acquisition than paper maps, while paper-based maps are not the best for wayfinding and cartographic interactivity. Hence, Perth AR is an augmented map for spatial learning and wayfinding experiences that combine the best attributes of digital and printed maps. This exegesis documents a practice-led method of designing a solution that addresses the needs for spatial knowledge acquisition.

Problem

Digital maps are not as efficient for spatial knowledge acquisition as paper maps (Ben-Elia 2021), while paper-based maps are not the best for wayfinding and cartographic interactivity (Roth 2013).

Research Question

How might we create spatial learning and wayfinding experiences that combine the best attributes of digital and printed maps with the help of augmented reality?

Design Methodology

Milligram’s Reality-Virtuality continuum (Milgram et al. 1995) offered insights into how the concepts of real and virtual worlds influenced each other. Cartographic Interaction was also considered when designing the Perth AR and examining how people interacted with cartographic data with paper and digital maps. This helped inform how Perth AR considered the interactions that could be created in Augmented Maps. The concept of Interactive Print (Perey 2011) was also vital for this research.

As the print medium was suffering from relevance in the digital medium age, this research investigated how the print medium could leverage the digital medium to create a new kind of medium. Another important conceptual lens this project looked at was the Tangible User Interface (TUI) concept. TUI (Shaer and Hornecker 2009), a branch of human-computer interaction (HCI), discussed how physical objects could act as a user interface medium to interact with computers instead of always relying on screens or surfaces.

Finally, the theory of spatial learning (MacEachren, Alan M. 1992) helped us understand how people acquired spatial knowledge with digital maps and paper maps and how augmented maps helped people create cognitive maps about a given space, which was analysed.

Design Process

I followed the Design Council's (2024) design thinking method as my process. I conducted each of the four phases in this method, from discovering the problem, defining the problem, developing the design, and delivering the solution. I documented my design process in my exegesis (Master’s Thesis), exploring each phase in detail. Here are some of the highlights of my design process.

Interview

I interviewed an avid paper map user. He also runs a publication where he makes paper maps and street directories of Perth. In his interview, he explained how paper maps were used and created and how they are supposed to be used.

“Paper maps give you an overview and are great for planning and just going to the next location.”

- Wayne Oakley (Quality Publishing Australia)

User Persona / Storyboard / User Story

I created a user persona, storyboard, empathy maps, and user stories to define my problem and help me understand the application of the Perth AR maps.

Prototyping

I sketched some low-fidelity prototypes and worked with my project supervisor to change the APP’s flow and possible interactions. Then, I proceeded to make hi-res prototypes in Figma. After the design was done, I built an AR app in Unity. The APP demoed some features of the Perth AR.

UI Design

Screengrab of Unity where 3D AR elements are being placed onto of 2D paper map

Identity Design

The iconography of Perth, AR, is inspired by the architecture of Swan Bridge, also known as Matagarup Bridge. The bridge has arches resembling a swan’s silhouette. I used two cylindrical tubes to resemble those arches to make the logo simple yet memorable. I used gradient colour to emphasise the 3D tube-like shape, which suggested that Perth AR has some elements of a three-dimensional augmented reality experience.

Exhibition Design

After finalizing the design, I prepared for the exhibition, which was held in the Curtin University Design and Built Environment exhibition space. I made a rough plan for the exhibit and then created a hi-res prototype for the exhibition space. In the exhibition, visitors could use the mobile app to experience the AR objects on a paper map of Perth. I also created some posters to explain my idea, along with a video that showed my research and design process.

Exhibition Concept for APP demonstration and AR experience

Perth AR exhibition main poster

Visitor reading posters at the Perth AR exhibition

Visitor using Perth AR APP and seeing AR elements over paper map

Perth AR exhibition final installation

References

Ben-Elia, Eran. 2021. “An exploratory real-world wayfinding experiment: A comparison of drivers’ spatial learning with a paper map vs. turn-by-turn audiovisual route guidance.” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives 9:100280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100280

Roth, Robert E. 2012. “Cartographic interaction primitives: Framework and synthesis.” The Cartographic Journal 49 (4): 376-395. https://doi.org/10.1179/174327741 2Y.0000000019

Hurst, Paul, and Paul Clough. 2013. “Will we be lost without paper maps in the digital age?.” Journal of Information Science 39 ( 1): 48-60. DOI: 10.1177/0165551512470043.

Shaer, Orit, and Eva Hornecker. 2010. “Tangible user interfaces: past, present, and future directions.” Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction 3 (1–2): 4-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/1100000026.

MacEachren, Alan M. 1992. “Application of environmental learning theory to spatial knowledge acquisition from maps.” Annals of the Association of American Geographers 82 (2): 245-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8306.1992. tb01907.x

Perey, Christine. 2011. “Print and publishing and the future of augmented reality. “Information Services & Use 31 (1-2): 31-38. doi:10.3233/ISU-2011-0625.

Acknowledgement

Dr John Martin - Unit coordinator

Dr Monika Lukowska-Appel - Project Supervisor

This project is part of the Capstone Design Project for the Master of Design at Curtin University.