On Saturday, June 7th, Seattle will get to experience something brand-new.

That’s the date when participants in Downtown Seattle’s version of “Jane’s Walk” can see the projected future of their city, in augmented reality!

“Our goal, with our Jane’s Walk, is to… help people understand and engage with the future of Seattle in a new way,” says award-winning augmented-reality creator and Downtown Seattle Community Council Chair Julia Beabout.

Talent, joy and AR

As both VRARA Seattle’s Chair of Programs and Community and the CEO/Creative Director of global AR agency and digital art production studio Novaby, Julia says she and her staff “LOVE transforming spaces into joyful, people-centered places” using augmented reality.

Accordingly, Julia and her staff are currently using their talents to add a new aspect to “Jane’s Walk”. This free community event, happening in five different Seattle locations, will allow walkers to view the future design of downtown Seattle through current and prospective projects in augmented reality. (And here’s the link to register for one of the two guided tours!)

No technological expertise is necessary, and Julia says, if you’re new to AR, the technology isn’t intimidating.

“The learning curve is about 30 seconds.”

And, Julia says, Jane’s Walk Seattle needs some in-person volunteers! Here’s where to sign up if you can help.

Augmented storytelling

Jane’s Walk, which started in Toronto in 2006, is a worldwide. citizen-led movement. Described on their website as “walking conversations inspired by (writer and community activist) Jane Jacobs”, the goals are connection, and community, as people share stories.

And augmented reality, as Novaby has demonstrated, is very well suited to storytelling.

The honors they’ve won. for their AR work, include a Vega Digital Award for their “Live at the Black Hawk” project, and an AIA Award for their “Past Present Future” Seattle history tour.

Julia talked about her creative journey with augmented reality, shared a preview of Seattle’s upcoming Jane’s Walk and offered some resources for anyone who’d like to start a Jane’s Walk in their community or learn more about creating augmented reality projects.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Julia first began working with augmented reality;

• Definitions of “AR” and “placemaking”;

• How Julia, and Novaby, became involved in the augmented-reality project for Jane’s Walk Seattle;

• The history of Jane’s Walk;

• Where to RSVP, to participate;

• The creative process for Julia and her team, as they designed the AR aspects of Jane’s Walk Seattle, and a major challenge they experienced;

• What Julia considers the most fun, so far, in bringing this project to life;

• A closer look at one of the creative challenges of communicating a key development in Seattle’s future plans, through AR;

• How to get involved, as a volunteer, and what they need most;

• How to start a Jane’s Walk in your area if you’re not in Seattle;

• How to find out more if you’d like to create a Jane’s Walk involving AR;

• Some of the AR resources Julia recommends;

• What’s next, for VRARA Seattle.