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Destination

Will this project make the area a destination?

I believe so. The pre-existing infrastructure already makes this place an attractive social hub and the added attraction and reputation of nearby Eat Street will increase visitors. People who appreciate culture and history will be interested in the ability to see it in front of them. People who enjoy art and technology will be interested in the innovative delivery. The technological innovation of AR will unfortunately be problematic for older generations, but one unexpected benefit of COVID-19 is the familiarity with QR codes. This technology is seeing increased use and can be of great advantage to this project.

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Budget

Will it be within budget?

The budget for this project is $40-$70,000.

App/Platform creation

A discussion needs to be had with the developers and relevant authorities about what form the platform can take. A bespoke platform built and owned by the government will be an expensive process, but will not require licensing fees.

I would recommend using a pre-existing app or platform, such as Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. The widespread adoption of these platforms by the demographics specified in the client brief means that this is the easiest and least intrusive way of convincing and attracting consumers. If a partnership cannot be made with these companies, apps such as Overly could be alternatives. If this approach is taken, then the initial cost will be very low, but licensing and operational fees will be charged.

If an app is created specifically for the project, this will take roughly $2,000-$15,000 for a robust, custom built service. Most of the higher end AR systems involve consumer interaction or physical markers, and this project fortunately does not require alteration or interaction beyond simply viewing the project.

This aspect of the  budget is subject to great variation depending on whether development is done in Australia or outsourced to cheaper markets such as India.

Artwork creation

An example of AR artwork can be seen in a virtual KAWS exhibition (https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-virtual-kaws-exhibition-tests-market-augmented-reality-art). The rights to a large virtual piece cost $10,000 with smaller pieces costing between $1,500 - $5,000 a piece. This is an expensive example, but two large pieces of artwork such as the one shown would be a great start to this project, with smaller alternating peripheral pieces spread across the area. $30,000 should be enough for a significant amount of art to meet the requirements.

To encourage innovation and community interaction as well as exposure for young artists, contests could be held for selecting designs. The winner would have their design implemented. If marketed right this could become a regular publicised event to attract attention and repeat visitors to the area.

Info stands & statues

I talked to a local sign-writer (https://www.bigfootsigns.com.au/) who estimated that a self-standing, architectural designed wayfinder/info sign would cost:

Corten steel base with a 2-pac aluminum base-plate with digitally printed graphics, approximate overall size 1800x900 millimeters installed into ground - $2,000 plus tax. x 4 = $8,000 total

Smaller version - powder coated steel framework and face with digitally printed graphics approximate size 500x900 mm - $1,100 plus tax x 5 = $5,500 total

Budget comes to max $15,000 for a AR platform, $30,000 for the artwork, 13,000 for signage to house QR codes + info about history. In total $58,000.

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Does it recognise the local history?

Recognition of the unique history of the Waterfront Area

This is where I believe the project meets the client’s requirements the most. This project will bring the rich history of the area to life while providing a unique experience using the bleeding edge of technology. Like the mangroves the area is built on, this virtual realisation of the history of the area is an opportunity to link and mix both ancient and recent events.

It will attract diverse audiences, both indigenous and maritime communities as well as art lovers. 

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Is AR viable?

Augmented Reality is still a developing technology, and the Queensland government is yet to adopt it’s use in projects. This is both good and bad for this project, as any new form of technology has a host of problems when integrating into pre-existing norms and processes. 

An example of successful AR integration can be seen outside of Australia, specifically in the Gatwick Airport, London (https://interestingengineering.com/gatwick-airport-uses-augmented-reality-help-catching-flights).  

Augmented Reality can be expensive. Developing an app can cost between $2,000 - $300,000 (https://invisible.toys/create-augmented-reality-apps/augmented-reality-app-development-cost/) depending on complexity and the level of consumer interaction. The London-Gatwick airport used over 2,000 virtual markers to help orient the app, part of a $3.5 billion upgrade. This is obviously significantly more complex than necessary for the proposed Waterfront project. 

In fact, discussion should be had with Snapchat, Facebook or Instagram about the possibility of integrating geo-location lenses into their apps. Facebook in particular has recently focused on developing their capabilities in this area (https://theconversation.com/mark-zuckerberg-wants-to-turn-facebook-into-a-metaverse-company-what-does-that-mean-165404). 

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Week 2 - Site inspection and early ideas

Unfortunately, we were not able to attend the in-person site inspection due to the COVID-19 Lockdown. However, the information we were given during the lecture and video has definitely informed my ideas and made it clear which idea I would expand going forward.

I was inspired by some of the promotional material in the EDQ “Wendy Video” on the Week 2 Blackboard page. Part of the advertisement was footage of Indigenous designs and artwork being projected onto a wall, combining technology and art in an interesting way. From preliminary research and a lack of mention of similar art projects in the lecture, that seems to be mostly a ‘puff’ piece of advertisement, but a similar idea could be applied to the Waterfront Development task.

A series of artwork could be commissioned for several places on the project site. An integration of physical statues & information stands with QR codes on them. 

Once scanned, the QR codes could link to a website or app that interacts with your phone camera, an overlay of original site-specific artworks. The statues (and digital artwork associated with them) could be a mix of maritime history and Indigenous practices and stories. Repurposed material from the wharf and surrounding area could be used in the construction of this and would create an unique and innovative mix of real and digital artwork that represents both the unique history of the site and attract visitors.

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Preliminary thoughts and values.

Key areas in which the project needs to excel in:

1.       Innovative – must employ technology in innovative ways

2.       Desirable – must attract attention and repeat visitors

3.       Recognise the unique history of the area – both the wharf area and the Aboriginal habitation of the area

What does the area have that makes it unique?

1.       Very large area – projects can be built at a scale that is fairly unique in some urban areas and virtually impossible in the CBD.

2.       The meeting of maritime & Indigenous history

3.       Riverfront – whilst not unique in Brisbane, the residential nature and scale of the waterfront area is a major inspiration to this work.

4.       Eat Street next door – pull records (???) see what they attempted and learn from their mistakes or any development issues they have encountered.

Very early initial ideas:

AR (augmented  reality)

Keys areas have  information panels + QR code. Info on maritime history & Aboriginal  habitation.

Technology  barrier is prohibitive to older demographics. Is history enough of a pull to  different demographics? Definitely  innovative. AR is currently not being utilised within Brisbane to any real  extent. Recognises and celebrates the unique history of the area. Make great  use of the waterfront. Can spread the places over a wide area.

Statues

Make the waterfront area 

Budget. Need  to do research into how much something like this would cost. Might not be  attractive to the majority of tourists.

Not  innovative in the use of technology. 

Great use of  the waterfront and natural features of the area. Enough physical number of installations. Interacts with history of the area.

Amphitheatre

Somewhere for plays and cultural shows and plays. Definitely not original or innovative technology wise. Innovation would have to come from the types of plays or shows, but this is outside the area we are looking at?