Imagined Communities brings innovation to education, social impact, and personal growth and vision in a way unprecedented by public policy solutions to date by integrating augmented reality applications. Most business and technology experts argue that augmented reality has the potential to have a more profound impact and be more commercially and socially profitable than social media or Web 2.0.
Imagined Communities is the first to use augmented reality applications to target social impact. Using a proprietary synthesis of these emerging technologies, Imagined Communities creates an educational program that simultaneously provides community-wide access to information and resources without regard to socioeconomic and geographic constraints. Through the use of a simple symbol or geographical location, additional information is attached to the environment in audio, video and text formats creating an enriched or “augmented” experience. Using the camera function of an Internet-connected cell phone equipped with readily available augmented reality applications, individuals can have personalized and interactive experiences with their physical environment. These applications open potential access to a wide range of information, from human services, educational and emergency information to commercial opportunities.
The Imagined Communities team brings an extensive background in developing enabling technologies, rich media content, educational technology assessment and curriculum development, and urban renewal ventures. The experience includes: the creation and launch of Helsinki 2000, the first virtual world developed in partnership with Ericsson; a virtual museum project for Intel that allowed online visitors to take virtual tours within select paintings such as Van Gogh’s Blue Room; creation of digital literacy solutions with PEN; consulting with Lucas Films, Philips N.V., Apple Computer; and, multiple youth-oriented and community development and renewal projects in concert with the city of Los Angeles and non-profit partners.
