Thinking inside the box: Making meaning in a Handheld AR experience

Augmented Reality (AR) applications and experiences delivered on mobile devices are an emerging class of technologies that are gathering momentum in the areas of gaming, tourism, education and marketing. In this paper we analyze [inbox], an immersive Handheld Augmented Reality (HAR) experience that takes place inside a shipping container, and contains many elements of each of these genres of HAR experiences. We discuss the holistic design approach we used in creating this experience. As well as highlight specific methods that leverage the capabilities of HAR to communicate specific concepts and information, while simultaneously allowing for multiple user interpretations. Finally we suggest a course of research that is likely to yield consistent design methodologies appropriate across all genres of HAR experiences.