Mixed Reality is a term coined to describe the continuum between full-on simulations of reality (Virtual Reality), overlays onto and insertions into reality (Augmented Reality), and physical reality (the so-called Real World). Mixed Reality, once relegated to research labs and typically hampered by bulky and expensive equipment, is rapidly becoming commonplace, in myriad settings and formats. Breakthrough examples like the wildly successful Pokemon Go, and the less-popular Google Glass, are examples of a technology likely to become an integral part of our everyday lives. Interaction and User Experience designers need to be involved in the crafting of these emerging Mixed Reality Experiences in order to create culturally relevant and engaging forms. This elective will introduce students to this burgeoning field, and will involve a mix of critiquing the successes and failures thus far (with a little history), readings and discussions on the emerging theories and best practices, as well as a sequence of projects to get hands-on experience. Using approachable tools, students (both solo and teams) will create their own compelling prototypes. The elective will utilize marker-based screen experiences (using systems like NyARToolkit), more sophisticated markerless overlays (leveraging simple tools like Aurasma, and venturing in Unity3D and Vuforia/Layar), and immersive experiences (using homebrew eyewear as well as a couple of Meta 2 headsets). Students need not have extensive experience with any of these development tools, but comfort with technology will be an advantage (be fearless), and prior exposure to a programming language will make you valuable when we split up into teams.

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