Project Overview
This case study documents the development of an immersive augmented reality (AR) art experience featuring animated sea life. The project explores the creative possibilities of AR technology while demonstrating an accessible production workflow using primarily iPad-based tools. The result is a whimsical "fish out of water" experience where digital sea creatures inhabit physical spaces.
1. Conceptualisation & Design
- Started in a sketchbook to develop initial fish character concepts
- Refined character designs in Adobe Fresco on iPad
- Explored colour palettes and finalised visual direction
- Started in a sketchbook to develop initial fish character concepts
- Refined character designs in Adobe Fresco on iPad
- Explored colour palettes and finalised visual direction
2. 3D Modelling
- Sculpted fish characters in Nomad 3D on iPad
- Created UV maps for detailed texturing
- Developed complementary plant life & coral elements using the same process
- Sculpted fish characters in Nomad 3D on iPad
- Created UV maps for detailed texturing
- Developed complementary plant life & coral elements using the same process
3. Texturing
- Utilised Procreate on iPad for texture painting
- Applied colour, roughness, and metallic effects to each model
- Ensured visual cohesion across all sea life elements
- Utilised Procreate on iPad for texture painting
- Applied colour, roughness, and metallic effects to each model
- Ensured visual cohesion across all sea life elements
4. Animation
- Imported models into Blender for rigging and animation
- Created intuitive, looping swimming animations using keyframes
- Applied Wiggle Bone 2 add-on for realistic secondary motion
- Exported animated models as .USDZ files for AR compatibility
- Imported models into Blender for rigging and animation
- Created intuitive, looping swimming animations using keyframes
- Applied Wiggle Bone 2 add-on for realistic secondary motion
- Exported animated models as .USDZ files for AR compatibility
5. Scene Assembly
- Imported all elements into Reality Composer on iPad
- Arranged plants and coral to create an underwater environment
- Implemented movement and orbit behaviours for the fish
- Programmed fish to swim naturally around the plant life
- Imported all elements into Reality Composer on iPad
- Arranged plants and coral to create an underwater environment
- Implemented movement and orbit behaviours for the fish
- Programmed fish to swim naturally around the plant life
6. Finalisation
- Exported the completed scene as a .reality file for sharing
- Tested AR on iPhone & iPad to verify visual quality & animation smoothness
- Exported the completed scene as a .reality file for sharing
- Tested AR on iPhone & iPad to verify visual quality & animation smoothness
Technical Approach
This project was developed without coding, demonstrating the accessibility of modern AR creation tools. The workflow bridged traditional artistic skills with digital tools, utilising a combination of:
- Hand sketching
- 2D digital illustration (Adobe Fresco)
- 3D sculpting (Nomad 3D)
- Texture painting (Procreate)
- 3D animation (Blender)
- AR composition (Reality Composer)
This project was developed without coding, demonstrating the accessibility of modern AR creation tools. The workflow bridged traditional artistic skills with digital tools, utilising a combination of:
- Hand sketching
- 2D digital illustration (Adobe Fresco)
- 3D sculpting (Nomad 3D)
- Texture painting (Procreate)
- 3D animation (Blender)
- AR composition (Reality Composer)
Future Development
Potential enhancements for future iterations include:
- Implementing geo-location features to make the experience site-specific
- Adding interactive elements like transparent bubbles
- Developing additional user interactions with the fish characters
- Expanding the ecosystem with more diverse sea creatures
