A Fundamental Study for Designing Digital Engagement with Mobile Augmented Reality

Abstract

Since its significant expansion of smart phone in the late 2000s, digital devices are shifting media environment. Within next five years, users using AR are estimated to grow 10 times than the current, and present major contributors will be moved from North American and Europe to Asia-Pacific. At this point, this research aims to investigate the current situation of Augmented Reality (AR), see the potential framework more in education for non-familiar user with digital device, and discuss possible design attributes in the area. Offering intuitive and rich interactive experience, AR is able to aid users to achieve educational goal with ease. However, current AR applications are designed for smart users who are familiar with digital technology. This research notes that the intuitiveness offered by AR can attract users who are non-familiar with digital devices and easily lead them to more various opportunities. In this sense, this research argues the effective educational aspect of AR technology for non-familiar users with digital device and current AR services need to re-target its users. For this purpose, this research investigates current situation and trends of AR applications, categorizes existed representative cases as its characteristics. Under the study and focus group interview with users who are strongly familiar with digital technology including AR, this research discusses its pros and cons of AR trying to reveal the reason why current applications are in static or declined use. Through this, the research states demanding of re-position of AR and the potential attributes in design realm for future study.