Augmented Reality
A gimmick or the next big thing?
How many of us watched the closing ceremony of the Soccer World Cup on Sunday 11 July, and marveled at the projected images of the nations’ flags and the giant watering hole where the elephants strolled over to have a virtual drink?
Above: Iron Man 2 AR online feature on iamironman2.com
Now, picture this in real time, imagine it being interactive…this is all possible using Augmented Reality, otherwise known as AR. This could very well be the next big thing to hit the design world, the talk around town is that it’s no gimmick.
Augmented Reality, in simple terms, is when graphics, audio and other sensory enhancements are projected or superimposed over a real world environment in real time. AR combines real and virtual to create an interactive platform in which the viewer is directly involved. It works by holding specific HTML codes up to screen via handheld, head mounted or spatial displays. It enhances the viewer’s perceptions of reality exponentially and allows us to play like never before.
Above: Various examples of how to use AR objects.
We have seen examples of AR in movies like Iron Man 2, and Minority Report, where Robert Downey Jnr. and Tom Cruise used this technology to design and manipulate images. While we never dreamed this possible in real life, we are reaching a stage where this, and much more is now suddenly feasible. We can apply this in so many important fields like surgery, teaching, building and navigation. It’s not all serious though, AR has already been used in music videos, advertisements and sporting events.
Now hold onto your seat and just picture how it could be used in the design industry. Paralyzed graffiti artist, Tony Quan AKA Tempton, has already used AR to draw again using his eyes. The simple act of presenting your portfolio could become something of an event, by just holding up a certain code to webcam to unlock the visuals. Print media would undergo a facelift.
Above: The Lost Valentinos performing a song on AR markers on lostvalentinos.com
The retail and fashion industry would also boom using AR, you could zip through catalogues of products on offer, and even try them on virtually (sunglasses shopping, anyone?).
Of course, AR is still in its early stages but who knows where this could go? We could be going to our favourite band’s concert with black and white grid designs on your T-Shirt that bring animations to life when linked to screens, bringing them to life in front of your very eyes…architects would never have to build real life models, and movies and video games would blow your mind. That said, the possibilities are virtually endless and the future of AR undeniably bright.
1 Year Higher Certificate in Print Design & Publishing 2012
Enrol on our exciting 1 Year Full Time Print Design & Publishing course, commencing in early February 2012.
Daily, industry-compliant and focused.
Intro
Our accredited one-year, practical print programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in print media environment. You will master the tools, practices and terminology required to produce professional print media. You will emerge confident enough to apply your skills from pre-press to post-press: receiving a brief, conceptualizing a visual solution; presenting the ideas professionally; executing a concept digitally through the use of a wide range of industry standard application programs such as Adobe InDesign®, Illustrator®, Photoshop® and Flash ® and applying finishing art techniques to take your documents to press, and, finally, presenting the final body of work in a professional manner.
Course infos
Please visit the Enrolments & infos page to download the full time courses Information brochure and enrolment form.
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: You must be 18 years of age or older, you must have obtained a Matric Certificate and you must be fluent in spoken and written English please.
Previous Art or Design training at a school level is an advantage but not a prerequsite.
Read more about Digital Design, in general, here.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR STUDIES
The first year is packed with theoretical & practical training that includes:
Freestyle Drawing Scamping and Story boarding techniques | History of Desktop Publishing & Typography | Conceptualisation Techniques | Raster Image Editing / Manipulation | Electronic Portfolio & Presentation Techniques | Layout Design Principles & Techniques | Brochure & Editorial Design | Vector Illustration Principles & Techniques | Corporate Identity Design | Interactive Presentation Techniques & Electronic Publishing | Cross Media Publishing | Final Printed A3 Book & Flash Portfolio Project
Software: Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® InDesign®, Adobe® Illustrator®, Adobe® Acrobat®, Adobe® Flash®.
ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Scamp creative ideas on paper using various mediums such as pencil, ink.
- Render drawings with increased speed & proficiency.
- Create professional-looking storyboards to express your conceptual ideas.
- Apply colour confidently in a designs and layouts.
- Apply the essentials of typography
- Apply the principles and elements of design to your creative work
- Hand-draw simple, original illustrations for your projects
- Produce a variety of printed media, including brochures, editorials, CD covers, product packaging, wine labels and posters
- Produce interactive PDF presentations, cross media campaigns, online banners and flash micro-sites, including a mini digital Flash portfolio for online display.
Semester dates for 2012/2013
2012
Semester 1: Tues 7th Feb – Fri 29th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 31st Jul – Fri 30th Nov
2013
Semester 1: Tues 4th Feb – Fri 28th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 30th Jul – Fri 29th Nov
Times
Classes are daily from Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
Note: Friends of Design reserves the right to alter the topics and modules of any advertised courses to meet or maintain industry standards.
Friends of Design is provisionally registered as a private higher education institution in terms of section 54(3) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997), and Regulation 16(4)(b) of the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2002, to offer the Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing course, until 31 December 2013.
