Project Highlight

Abans i Ara ( Before & Now ) - AR Postal Digital

November 20, 2024

From the 10th to the 16th of August, during Festa Major 2023, I had the opportunity to showcase one of my projects: an Augmented Reality postcard! This AR-enhanced postcard transforms a century of history into an immersive 80-second story, blending nostalgia and technology. It captures the evolution of places, characters, activities, and traditions, allowing users to experience the past and present of the Festa Major in a dynamic, interactive way.

The postcard is a merchandise piece for attendees to take home, preserving the memories of the celebration while continuing to explore its stories through Augmented Reality. 🚀

Design Process

1. Conceptualization and Ideation

The foundation of this project was inspired by the rich heritage of the Festa Major. The concept aimed to create a bridge between 100 years of history and the present, all captured in the format of a nostalgic yet modern postcard. The idea of using AR emerged as a way to vividly bring the narrative to life, ensuring the historical essence remains engaging and accessible.

2. Research and Preparation

Three main pillars shaped the preparatory phase:

  • Historical Context: Extensive research involved collecting old photographs, videos, and anecdotes from Festa Major celebrations dating back 100 years.
  • User Behavior: Observed how people interact with postcards and AR, considering ergonomic factors like holding, scanning, and viewing angles.

3. AR Content Design

Using Onirix, I developed interactive AR experiences:

  • Content Design: Each postcard revealed animated scenes from the past juxtaposed with the present, enriched with soundscapes and visual effects.
  • User Interaction: The AR interface was intuitive, enabling users to naturally engage with the postcard's layers by moving it or adjusting their viewing angle.

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Some of image compilation from virtual experience design

4. User Experience

5. Exhibition Design and Installation

For the Festa Major 2023, I designed an evocative frontstore display:

  • Installation Concept: An antique ironing table, draped with a vintage cloth from a friend's grandfather, symbolized the journey from past to present. A sewn path on the cloth represented the timeline.
  • Presentation: Postcards were integrated into the display, combining tactile and virtual experiences. Visitors could hold the postcards, scan them, and immerse themselves in the augmented world.

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Looking to do this kind of experience for your product/ brand / service ? Let's chat !

CEO, Neuralport.Inc | Forbes JAPAN Women In Tech TOP30
I work with Sonya at my startup, where her XR design expertise and broad skill set—including pitch creation, networking, diplomacy, and data analysis—are invaluable. She’s a hardworking, talented, and highly motivated person. I'm very happy to work with her.
Sr. Engineer XR at Qualcomm
I worked with Sonya on a VR app project, where her punctuality, creativity, and attention to detail kept us on track. Her stunning, user-friendly UI designs made a huge impact, and collaborating with her was a smooth, enjoyable experience. I'd gladly work with her again.
Technical Engineer Researcher, Osaka University
I've worked with Sonya over the past years, and she's proven to be an exceptional designer with strong communication skills. Sonya played a vital role in designing the audiovisual interface for our XR application, quickly aligning with the product concept and delivering impactful results. I give my best recommendation.
CEO at XR Wellness | XR for hospital patients
I had the pleasure of working with Sonya on two VR projects. She is highly creative and brings a lot to a project, she works efficiently and is dedicated to what she does, testing the final versions until she's sure their perfect. She has a lot of creative ideas - a grand professional! Thanks Sonya I hope to work with you again in future projects.
CEO, Exuberante Caos Associação | Immersive Mural
We had the pleasure of working with Sonya on our AR Scavenger Hunt project, we couldn’t be happier with the results. She is a talented XR Designer with expertise in UI/UX Design and Web AR Onirix to implement gamification & geolocation, with clear communication. We highly recommend Sonya for any AR/VR project!