Spatial Learning

Spatial Learning

XR UI

XR UI

AR Application

AR Application

An Research based Augmented Reality Journey that reveals the hidden wonders of San Diego's most iconic park.

An Research based Augmented Reality Journey that reveals the hidden wonders of San Diego's most iconic park.

Overview

Overview

Balboa Park Alive! is a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) app designed to bring San Diego’s Balboa Park to life by making biodiversity visible and interactive. Families can cultivate native plants, release butterflies, and explore ecosystems through location-based AR experiences, building ecological literacy and fostering environmental stewardship.

Balboa Park Alive! is a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) app designed to bring San Diego’s Balboa Park to life by making biodiversity visible and interactive. Families can cultivate native plants, release butterflies, and explore ecosystems through location-based AR experiences, building ecological literacy and fostering environmental stewardship.

From Reality to AR Discover hidden layers of nature.

From Reality to AR Discover hidden layers of nature.

Mobile App Coming Soon in iOS and Android

Mobile App Coming Soon in iOS and Android

StoryTelling

StoryTelling

The storytelling experience in Balboa Park Alive! unfolds as users physically navigate the streets and pathways of San Diego’s Balboa Park, turning real-world exploration into an interactive narrative. As families move through the park, the app reveals playful, AR-driven moments that encourage discovery, observation, and learning. Through camera-based interactions, users engage with virtual plants, butterflies, and ecosystems layered onto their surroundings, making each location feel like a chapter in a living story. These moments invite curiosity and reflection, allowing visitors to learn about biodiversity while actively participating in the park’s evolving environmental story.

Discover

Navigate

Interact

Observe&Learn

Observe&Learn

Discover

Navigate

Interact

Observe&Learn

Observe&Learn

Environment First

Environment First

Spatial

Consistency

Spatial

Consistency

Attention Aware

Attention Aware

Solutions & Impact

Impact

Ecological Literacy



Ecological Literacy



Inclusive Access

Environmental Stewardship


Educational Innovation

Public Engagement

Educational Innovation

Educational Innovation

Public Engagement

Public Engagement

Inclusive Access

Inclusive Access

Balboa Park Alive! reflects my approach to experience design using spatial interaction to make complex systems intuitive and accessible

Balboa Park Alive! reflects my approach to experience design using spatial interaction to make complex systems intuitive and accessible

Team

Team

Project Co-Lead

Prof. Biayna Bogosian
Ying Choon Wu

Project Co-Lead

Prof. Biayna Bogosian
Ying Choon Wu

Researchers

Akshit Nassa

Daniel Jalali

Jake Yenny

Researchers

Akshit Nassa

Daniel Jalali

Jake Yenny

Ex Researchers

Vishwa Bhatt (MYSELF)

Tommy Sharkey

Joshua Pallag

Aimee Qi

Ex Researchers

Vishwa Bhatt (MYSELF)

Tommy Sharkey

Joshua Pallag

Aimee Qi

My Role


UI Designer

Created playful, accessible UI flows for AR simulations

Research Assistant

Studied biodiversity education strategies to align design with learning goals

GIS Mapping

Supported AR accuracy by mapping park zones for demo events.

My Role

UI Designer

Created playful, accessible UI flows for AR simulations

Research Assistant

Studied biodiversity education strategies to align design with learning goals

GIS Mapping

Supported AR accuracy by mapping park zones for demo events.

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