Living Lands – Understanding Ecosystems
“Living Lands” aims to convey knowledge and futures in a new, interactive and experience-oriented way. At the same time, constructive visions of the future and possible solutions are to be presented. To this end, augmented reality is used in conjunction with a thematic poster as a projection surface and an AR app to visualize complex topics of climate change, biodiversity, how everything is interconnected and affects different systems in 3D. All this based on a tourist hotspot: Jungfrau-Region.
What issue does your project address, and why do you want to tackle it?
Communicating fact-based knowledge has become a major challenge in today’s fast-paced world. Many social issues are so heavily distorted by disinformation and simplification that “average” citizens lose any possibility of maintaining a factual overview and are overwhelmed. This ultimately leads to avoidance and resignation. “Living Lands” tackles this problem by combining knowledge with interaction in an attractive medium suitable for the masses, especially tourists in the Jungrau-Region.
What is your project about and how does it make tourism in the Alps future-proof?
It is about climate change and biodiversity and how they are connected to tourism, especially how they affect alpinism. It’s not only about knowledge transfer, but also about communicating visions of the future, necessary solutions and alternatives to visitors. By collaborating with organizations such as SAC, Pro Natura, WNF and Alpine Guides, their climate strategies and future-proof alternatives can be integrated and presented to the tourist masses to gain their support for systematic change.
How do you measure your project's success?
The simplest indicators will be product sales and app downloads. But to get a valuable understanding of how deeply users interact and engage, the idea is to implement quizzes or mini-games where users have to use their acquired knowledge to progress. Another idea is to implement and link future-proof projects that are actively solving problems in the field so that users can find a way to contribute/participate in the real world. All this can be evaluated anonymously.
Who are the people behind the project and what is your secret to a great collaboration?
Vincent Grand, Graphic designer and Illustrator, co-founder of Hyperraum.cc, co-publisher, self-employed for 11+ years with a great passion for conservation. My Idea is to bring people together from science, organizations, and the public who share the same values. For all sides to contribute to a visualized, interactive source for knowledge and solutions. Good communication, combining different skill sets, and keeping an open mind are keys to great collaborations and a livable future.
