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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