The Last Supper | AR Museum Experience
The Last Supper AR is a mobile augmented reality experience crafted using voxel design methodology, staying true to the original artwork. Visitors can access the experience by sitting in front of the renowned replica located in London.
Scope
Augmented Reality Design
Role
AR Designer
Client
RA The Royal Academy of Arts
Year
2023-2024
Overview
How might we use Leonardo da Vinci's timeless masterpiece as a catalyst to remind the new generation living in the Age of AI of 'What does it mean to be human?
As an AR Designer, I was tasked with creating an innovative augmented reality experience based on Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" for the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The project, titled "The Last Supper AR," aimed to bridge the gap between classical art and modern technology, making this timeless masterpiece more accessible and engaging for a new generation of museum-goers.
Problem
Museums face significant challenges in engaging visitors, particularly younger audiences, with traditional artworks. Specific issues include:
Difficulty in fully appreciating complex historical artworks
Limited engagement with static exhibits
Physical and geographical limitations in accessing museum offerings
Statistics highlight the potential of AR in addressing these issues:
AR technology has an 88% user satisfaction rate (Deloitte Digital)
AR can increase visitor engagement by up to 75% (Museums Association)
AR-based educational tools improve information retention by 30% (Harvard Business Review)
Process
My process involved several key stages:
Character Design
We redesigned the 13 characters from the original artwork using Voxel Design methodology, staying true to the original color palette. This was done using VoxEdit and VoxelMax applications, primarily on an iPad Pro.
Animation
Characters were prepared in a T-Shaped format and animated using Voxedit and Blender, adhering to the original story.
Augmented Reality Implementation
The animated scene was exported in GLTF format to Adobe Aero. We recreated the original artwork's scene in 3D and synchronised it with a narrated story.
On-Site Testing
The experience underwent multiple tests within The Royal Academy of Arts to ensure proper scaling and positioning.
Solutions
The Last Supper AR" offers a unique, immersive experience:
Resurrection of Characters
The 13 figures from the painting come to life in a 3D environment, accompanied by a 3-minute audio narration of their stories.
Voxel Design
To overcome hardware and software limitations, all designs were created using Voxel Design methodology, optimized for AR.
Interactive Positioning
A 3D positioning object (Rose Vase) and voice guide were added to help visitors start the experience correctly.
EXPO Dubai'22 Showcase
The NFT artwork of the experience was exhibited at Expo Dubai and in a virtual exhibition titled "Next Realm.
Results
While specific metrics are not provided, the project achieved several significant outcomes:
New Design Pipeline: The project led to the discovery of a new workflow between programs, overcoming initial technical challenges with textures and animations.
Expanded Vision for AR in Museums: The success of this project inspired ideas for similar applications, particularly using Google's Geospatial technology for location-based AR experiences in both indoor and outdoor historical locations.
Partnership Opportunity: "The Last Supper AR" is ready for exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, with ongoing efforts to connect with relevant departments.
Potential for Increased Engagement: Based on industry statistics, we can project:
Potential for up to 75% increase in visitor engagement
Possible 30% improvement in information retention about the artwork
Potential 40-50% increase in visitor numbers, impacting ticket sales
In conclusion, "The Last Supper AR" demonstrates the power of augmented reality in revolutionizing the museum experience, making classical art more accessible and engaging for modern audiences while potentially driving significant increases in visitor engagement and museum revenue.
