Challenges for Information Design in Augmented Reality

Abstract

Information design is a process that depends largely on the employed media support. The translation of
printed media to digital media, for example, is allowing the exploitation of resources, interactivity, real-time
update and personalization, among other benefits, but also has brought great challenges to designers. The
lack of control over formats, resolutions, character fonts, colour and other aspects of digital display devices
are just some of the difficulties faced by interface designers, and certainly not the only ones, nor the
smallest. What then can one expect of a media that uses the very environment as its display support? This
is the case of "Augmented Reality" (AR), which after several years of incubation in research labs and
specialized scientific events, is beginning to become viable as a communication medium and, therefore, as
another technology alternative to be considered by information designers. AR is an evolution of the well
known "Virtual Reality" (VR), with the difference that, instead of seeking immersion of the user in a virtual
environment, it enriches the real environment with virtual information. From the author's experience in
various research projects involving augmented reality technologies, this article makes a summary of key
concepts involved and discusses some of the challenges that must be faced by information designers
willing to use them.