Daftar - prototype of a mobile AR application that allows users to create a portal to a personalized, virtual space

Virtually Maker Faire 2020

May 22nd-23rd

The modern workplace is constantly redefining itself as we see changes in the way we interact with each other and technology. On the one hand, organizations are doing away with personalized cubicles and offices, in favor of activity-based workstations. Up to 75% of the workforce no longer have assigned areas to work from each day and instead choose from either shared or private areas for use. Studies have repeatedly proven that most workers are happier and more productive when they are able to personalize their spaces. Additionally, the global pandemic that swept the world in the first quarter of 2020 instantly required millions of people to shelter in place and work in isolation, connecting exclusive through virtual contact for weeks on end. Our project, Daftar, seeks to answer how we might help create a sense of identity and belonging in the workplace as employees are finding themselves coping with these extremes.
We used the game engine Unity in combination with the 3D-augmented reality platform AR Foundation to create a mobile application that demonstrates a virtual space filled with users' mementos and personal objects. Through an iterative process of user research, ideations, prototyping, analysis, and revision, we created two unique and highly personalized augmented reality (AR) portals.
Ultimately, we found that the portals can be effective mechanisms to share one’s personality and create social connectedness with colleagues. They can act as both a source of comfort to people wanting to surround themselves with personal objects when in an open workspace while also being an effective instrument to share one’s personality and socialize with colleagues when in isolation.

Key words:
Unity, AR Foundation, AR Core XR, augmented reality, AR portal, shaders, plane detection, raycasting, SLAM technology, Blender, Tinkercad, 3d modeling, OBJ, FBX