INTEGRATING AR INTO A GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAM FOR AN ENHANCED DESIGN CURRICULUM
Year: 2024
Editor: Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik; Buck, Lyndon
Author: Hu, Nan
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Central Connecticut State University, United States of America
Page(s): 282 - 287
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2024.48
ISBN: 978-1-912254-200
ISSN: 3005-4753
Abstract
Continued interest in augmented reality (AR) applications in the business sector has precipitated a corresponding surge of design with AR in the design industry. In turn, the rise of AR technology in the design profession requires a proactive response from design education. Recent scholarly endeavors exploring AR-focused practices in design education have showcased the early initiatives of teaching AR across diverse design-related disciplines. Upon that foundation, this paper introduces a pioneering pedagogical approach that integrates AR into a foundational 2D graphic design foundation course. In an experiment following the approach, we used the AR toolkit Zap Works Designer not only as a creative medium to augment a print design project but also as a purposeful pedagogical instrument aimed at expanding students’ digital proficiency, fostering an understanding of design thinking, and cultivating problem-solving skills through immersive engagement in a multidisciplinary design process. This paper outlines the AR-enhanced project and assesses its pedagogical efficacy based on a comprehensive student survey conducted at the end of the project. It also delves into the challenges encountered along the way and provides positive suggestions for the specific learning context. By sharing insights from the teaching experience, we aim to empower design educators and provide educational institutions with a valuable reference for advancing their curricular approaches. This paper is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of design education and its response to the imperatives of the digital age.
Keywords: Key words: Augmented Reality, graphic design