Exploring Augmented Reality as Craft Material

Abstract

Craft making is associated with tradition, cultural preservation, and skilled hand-making techniques. While there are examples of digital craft making analyses in the literature, Augmented Reality (AR) applied to craft making practice has not been explored, yet applying AR to craft making practices could bring insight into methods of combining virtual and physical materials. This paper investigates how AR is considered by craft makers. We find that narrative is essentially physically located in craft objects, and while virtual elements may describe and annotate an artefact, it is not considered part of the craft artefact’s narrative.