and 5 cities around the world.
1Can you introduce this project?
“Connect, BTS” is a global art project joined by 22 artists in five cities (London, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Seoul, and New York). We displayed a media facade that consists of 264 Galaxy Note10 devices at DDP in Seoul. At the same time, we deployed an AR docent application.
This led to more immersive and interactive exhibition. “Galaxy AR Docent App” is an augmented reality application for visitors. BTS, a globally renowned boyband, appears as docents. The members of BTS explain about artworks and ideas of artists.
Visitors can take a picture with AR image of BTS members; the picture can be a souvenir from this exhibition.
2How did the user experience design for ‘Galaxy AR Docent’ go?
The priority was to converge large-scale artworks with AR content of the BTS members. To this end, we considered the lighting and overall mood of the five cities while designing the AR content. From the UX design side, we focused on simple and bold typography and intuitive interface so that the content can receive focus. Each stage in the AR mode has an intuitive cue, which is added to help people to navigate. For those who are not familiar with AR, we provide simple and easy Help Guide about the key features of this app. Galaxy AR Docent App provides audio and subtitles together. Therefore, even when it is crowded, visitors have no problem understanding what BTS says. This makes people feel like they are watching the exhibition with their favorite artists. Fans can feel more connected to the artists as well. The AR image of BTS is visible in real time in the five cities, which offers 1:1 docent experience. Since there is no limit of time and space, people do not have to visit exhibition in person to appreciate art.
Galaxy AR Docent App uses pre-recorded chroma key video to generate AR image of BTS members. In this process, we used Google AR Core based on OPEN GL 3.0. Each background was adjusted by using code.
We considered how tall the seven BTS members are and their body proportion so that the AR images will be more realistic. To ensure that this is only available within the exhibition, GPS data was used to designate the area.
3Can you explain the ‘Galaxy Media Facade’, which attracts attention at the exhibition site?
Galaxy Media Facade is a large display that consists of 264 Galaxy Note10 devices, which play video clips about the exhibition. The Galaxy Media Facade had great presence;
there is only minimal bezel in Galaxy Note10, which helped to create seamless display that does not have disruption. Each device in Galaxy Media Facade is placed close to one another to give a seamless view.
Since different devices might have different data transmission speeds, we synchronized video play time by using split solution.
4What were the goals and achievements of the project?
We aimed to utilize Galaxy smartphone technology with the BTS content to create synergy in marketing activities and trends on social media. Just by collaborating with Samsung and BTS, a company and an artist on the global stage, we were able to reach this goal. In Korea, Galaxy AR Docent App was downloaded 10,000 times in just two weeks. Many reviews have been posted on social media such as Facebook and YouTube. The Galaxy Media Facade also gained traction at the space.
There was a concern due to the COVID-19 outbreak. AR docent became a contact-free solution at the exhibition. By using AR docent, this exhibition complied with social distancing. This decision led to success and also better social awareness. At the same time, the exhibition embraced the essence of digital community to understand art and philosophy across the continents by creating linkage in the situation of severe disconnection.
