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Short abstract:

A collaboration between three classes, the project we will discuss involves students from the College of Engineering, College of the Arts, and the University of Houston library to create a novel AR/VR museum exhibition and gallery space capturing the Native history of Southeast Texas.

Long abstract:

In this presentation, our team will talk about our current interdisciplinary initiative, uniting the University of Houston’s College of Engineering and College of the Arts to innovate within the realm of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) museum exhibitions. This collaboration seeks to harness the educational and technological potential of AR/VR technologies to revolutionize how museum exhibits are created, curated, and experienced. By integrating artifacts from the University of Houston's collections into novel AR/VR environments, the project offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the cutting-edge of digital exhibit design. It also requires both an engineering and a design mindset to make it happen.

Digital humanities researchers, artists, and technologists are all currently exploring the implications of AR/VR in museum spaces beyond mere spectacle. They are delving into the artistic, museum, and curatorial processes, enhancing their skills in 3D scanning, modeling, and AR/VR content creation. This endeavor challenges our students to navigate the complexities of designing virtual exhibits, from curatorial decision-making to technical execution, fostering a comprehensive understanding of both virtual and physical curation.

Central to this project is the integration of user experience research, particularly through eye tracking within VR environments, to glean insights into visitor interactions and preferences. This aspect underscores the project's innovative approach to understanding the impact of design and curatorial choices on audience engagement. We argue that collaborations of this type, although not always rewarded by individual disciplines, serve as models for arts and engineering collaboration beyond the classroom.