Meta x UNIT9: AR Content Initiative

Why

In their dedication to exploring the educational capabilities of AR, Meta partnered with UNIT9 to develop a collection of interactive AR effects. This collaboration involved working closely with notable entities such as BBC Studios, The V&A, NASA, and the Museum of Art & Photography Bangalore. Utilizing Meta Spark, Meta's AR creator platform, these effects were created to contribute to a broader research endeavor aimed at assessing the efficacy of AR as an educational tool.

What is this...

For BBC Studios, the focus was on a series of effects revolving around Natural History and environmental themes. These effects included activities such as nurturing a Ginkgo tree and observing its life cycle, as well as diving into the depths of the ocean to encounter marine life and aid in the restoration of a coral reef. By utilizing AR functionality, the BBC Studios effects aimed to engage audiences with a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems in an enjoyable and interactive manner.

In collaboration with NASA, we expanded upon the space center's primary missions and areas of research. Users are provided with opportunities to comprehend the mechanics behind solar eclipses and learn safety protocols for observing them. They can also embark on explorations of the asteroid Bennu and the OSIRIS-REx satellite, which conducted surface scans upon its discovery. Additionally, users can delve into the forthcoming Artemis II lunar mission, where the firsthand account of an astronaut details the journey that will witness the first woman and person of color landing on the moon.

For the V&A, we curated a range of effects exploring different curatorial departments within the museum's collections. Users can engage with a variety of AR experiences, including discovering a miniature replica of the Bettiscombe Dolls’ House, mixing and matching traditional English dresses for a catwalk in the V&A Raphael room, and transforming into iconic theatrical and movie characters like Cleopatra and Elphaba from Wicked.

At the Museum of Art & Photography Bangalore, we delved into the possibilities of enhancing art with AR technology. Users can actively participate in completing paintings by adding brushstrokes, solve a tapestry puzzle, and gain insight into the intricate process of an Indian Shadow Puppet show.

CLIENT: META, BBC Studios, The V&A, NASA, and the Museum of Art & Photography Bangalore

DESIGN: UNIT9

ENGINEERING: UNIT9

MY ROLE: Tech Lead