Middlesex University has today (21 May) launched a web-based augmented reality (AR) experience, hoping this unique digital take on the higher education ‘taster’ day will encourage prospective learners to accept offers for next year.
Developed by the Dept-owned company Byte – a marketing technology agency that has worked for major businesses like ASOS, Just Eat and TikTok – the ‘Map Your Future’ AR venture lets offer holders see what life could look like as a Middlesex University student.
The experience begins with a direct mail that takes the shape of a travel card. After using their smartphone to scan the QR code, users are greeted by a series of pop-up arrows pointing in different directions, each leading to a different virtual room that depicts a specific aspect of campus life.
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The four rooms give potential students insight into careers, student life, support and studies. In the student life room, for example, users can explore the university’s students’ union, as well as the variety of societies on offer for students at Middlesex.
“The experience is a great example of how AR tells a story like no other platform, while simultaneously exciting users” – Lauren Chester, Byte
Lauren Chester, senior lead tech planner at Byte, commented: “Using web AR, world tracking and 3D models of virtual rooms, prospective Middlesex students can find out what the campus has to offer by bringing the campus to life from the comfort of their own bedroom. Not only does this show that Middlesex University is a future-facing organisation, it’s also a great way for the university to make a powerfully emotive connection with prospective students. The experience is a great example of how AR tells a story like no other platform, while simultaneously exciting users.”