Augmented Reality brings the fascinating dinosaurs of Gondwana to life.
UX, UI, Design, Development, 3D Animation
Toronto
The Royal Ontario Museum
2012
Gondwana Dinosaurs Augmented Reality Experience
Meld collaborated with the Royal Ontario Museum's (ROM) curatorial experts, interpretive planners, and marketing directors to craft an exciting and scientifically accurate Augmented Reality (AR) experience. The goal was not only to attract visitors to the Ultimate Dinosaurs: Giants from Gondwana exhibit but also to serve as an interpretive tool within the museum. This landmark exhibition introduced audiences to new species of dinosaurs from the ancient southern supercontinent Gondwana, offering an extraordinary opportunity to experience these creatures in ways never before imagined.
Engaging Visitors with Interactive AR
Our vision was to surprise and delight visitors by bringing the unusual dinosaurs from Gondwana to life through immersive AR experiences. By positioning AR tracking markers throughout the exhibit and around the city, we aimed to deliver fun and exciting messages about these fascinating creatures. Visitors could interact with 3D dinosaur models, virtually flesh out dinosaur skeletons, and capture photos to share on social media—extending the exhibit's reach and engagement.
Maximizing AR Content Across Platforms
Enhanced Visitor Engagement and Outreach
The AR experience successfully attracted visitors to the exhibit and served as an engaging interpretive tool within the museum. Visitors spent more time exploring the exhibit, deepening their understanding and enjoyment. By sharing their AR captures via social media, the exhibit's reach was amplified, creating a buzz around the ROM's offerings. The innovative use of AR technology enriched the visitor experience, effectively connecting audiences with the prehistoric world of Gondwana's dinosaurs in an immersive and educational way.
“In my 30 years of designing museum exhibitions I have never been approached so regularly by museum visitors to congratulate us on a job so well done – most frequently they cite as the reason the many innovative ways in the exhibition to experience and learn. This is owing in large part to the media components for which Meld was responsible.”