Design and development of an augmented reality platform to connect grandparents and grandchildren across distances

Globalization and urban migration have led to a larger number of families that live away from each other. This raises issues particularly for the elderly population as they deal with both loneliness and depression, coupled with a decline in mobility and physical well-being. On the other hand, childhood depression is also on the rise, with youngsters today spending almost double the time on screens as they used to in 1965. Loneliness has also been linked to an increase in mortality rates and a decline in physical health and mental health. This project explores the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren, with a focus on people that are separated by distance. This paper details the design and development of an augmented reality platform that was designed to help create a platform for play, where stories, experiences, and skills can be shared across distances, between these two user groups. The final design was developed based on insights from literature review, analysis of current demographics and device usage patterns, an analysis of current problems and existing solutions along with the development of fictional user personas, journey maps, empathy maps, and prototyping. The design outcome is in the physical + digital space, with the creation of a mixed reality platform to establish connections between the two generations. The components of the system include projection mapping, a physical product, a screen-based User Experience solution, and the development of a character.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.F.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art and Design

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Doshi, Rishabh

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sethi, Suresh

• Augmented Reality
• Mixed Reality
• Older Adults
• Children
• Industrial Design
• UX Design
• Mobile Application

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Rishabh Doshi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105712

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/105712