NCCHR Augmented Reality App

In addition to delivering a traditional app, we aspired to make a second-screen companion experience for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a breathtaking 90,000-square-foot building in Atlanta dedicated to the achievements of both the civil rights movement in the United States and the broader worldwide human rights movement. It’s not only a hub for people to find out information, buy tickets, and navigate the museum, but most importantly, it’s a new way to dive deeper into the content inside the space with our custom augmented reality viewer.

We specifically chose to start by enhancing the 35-foot lobby mural designed by artist Paula Scher, which has become a symbol for The Center itself, by creating a custom-built tool allowing someone to hold their smart phone up to the artwork and explore information about the 28 individual civil and human rights posters that make up the collage. This not only encourages greater interaction with the piece, but deepens the content and context of the experience… and the intent of the artist.

We researched the technology closely with Qualcomm, a leading designer of AR software, who donated their Vuforia platform license-free to create this unique interactive feature for the Center. Our little experiment turned into a huge success – Apple approved the CCHR app, which can be downloaded here, on the first submission round (which rarely happens). Now, anyone can take their visit to the next level with an immersive augmented reality experience that encourages museum-goers to be hands-on. And this is just the tip of the iceberg…the NCCHR has a wealth of opportunity to bring more of their exhibits to life with future installments in VR, spreading the message of equality to the 21st Century.