Doorways Into Open Access

Doorways Into Open Access is an augmented and virtual reality mobile app that takes people back in time to experience artifacts from Smithsonian's Open Access collection. We wanted to create an experience that brought history to people in neighborhoods and cities that may not have access to or ever visited a museum. We curated a selection from La Belle Époque, a fascinating era of enlightenment, and created a connection with contemporary issues that our audience is familiar with, from vaccinations to music and fashion. Our team designed 3D models of the artifacts based on photographs. We meticulously recreated every detail, facet, and material to replicate the objects as close as possible. We wanted the user to engage with each artifact as if it were right in front of them to enjoy the craftsmanship and beauty first hand. The tone of the text is approachable, relatable, and easy to understand, allowing people to connect with the time period in a familiar way. We were able to draw connections with science, technology, and the arts during the Golden Era and today. To create an experience that is inclusive and accessible for everyone, Lorem Ipsum incorporated basic accessibility standards into the foundation of the app. From custom wayfinding navigation beeps to haptic feedback and voiceover, the app was designed to fully integrate into the iPhone’s native accessibility features. hough only a prototype, Doorways into Open Access opens the door to limitless possibilities beyond Paris in the 1920s.