Mobile augmented reality is a rapidly emerging technology that has the power to change how we understand and interact with our urban environment.  In this design jam style workshop you will learn basic AR principals, examine current and future use cases, and ideate with fellow attendees on how this technology can connect us with our city’s past, present and future and make it a more sustainable, just and livable place for all. Hosted by Julia Beabout of Novaby and Susan Oldham of co-founder of the Seattle XR Design Salon in support of the AIA exhibit Balancing Act: Urbanism and Emerging Technologies, this program is suitable for adults with all ranges of experiences and backgrounds.

Julia Beabout, PE, is Director of Design at Novaby, a global digital art production company specializing in 3D visualization and AR/VR applications.  She has 20+ years of experience leading customers and organizations through complex strategic initiatives and creative projects up to $200 million, from concept through completion, in the virtual and physical worlds.  As a leading practitioner in AR Placemaking, she has spoken at the MIT Media Lab and for the U.S. State Department on the subject, and is passionate about projects at the intersection of arts, tech, humanities and social justice.  She has a degree in architectural engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Asian studies from Florida International University in Miami.

Susan Oldham is a UX designer and researcher focusing on virtual and augmented environments and designing technologies for public spaces. As co-founder of the Seattle XR Design Salon, Susan hosts a monthly meetup for designers, researchers, devs and VR/AR/MR enthusiasts to workshop and discuss concepts central to user-centered design, research, storytelling, cognition and collaboration vital to designing usable immersive realities. Susan has a BS in Informatics/HCI from the UW iSchool, and is an alum of the MS Human Centered Design & Engineering program.