Sheffield has collaborated with top global tech companies to let people view art on some of the city’s most famous buildings thorough their phones.
The look-up project – which is described by its creator as the first of its kind in the UK – is produced by the Marketing Sheffield team, which is part of the Sheffield City Council.
The app features moving visual and audio artwork on locations throughout the city centre.
Mark Mobbs brand and marketing manager for the city at marking Sheffield, said: “Ultimately this project has created a platform for the city of sheffield. As far as we are aware, no city has used augmented reality in this way before, turning their centre and buildings into a permanent, and free, fun art trail.”
With the recent growth in tourism, this latest project will no doubt attract wider visitors Hence generating immense capital and income for the city’s financial purse and enhancing Sheffield’s reputation to a global audience.
The look-up app guides users to four central locations in Sheffield city- The University of Sheffield Diamond Building, Sheffield Hallam University’s Owen Building, the central Library and the Graves Gallery in Tudor square, and the old John Lewis building in Barkers pool.
The project has been funded by the Getting Building Fund which supports the delivery of projects agreed upon with Mayors and Local Enterprise Partnership to boost economic growth and fuel local recovery and Jobs.
Residents Reaction
Residents and workers in Sheffield city have spotted using the app. Users are able to download the app and then stand in front of the QR code and then hold up their device, the app then shows them an altered version of reality.
Abby, 42 a worker at Sheffield Hallam University said: “It is nice and exciting to see this in the city.”
Daniel Lowe 46 year-old teacher at Talbot specialist school in Sheffield, said: “It is amazing what technology can do. The collaboration between art and technology can lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of the world we live in.”
The digital project is created by Sheffield -based tech company Megaverse who built the app and platform. Universal Everything and Human studio have created the artworks and Jaywing have provided marketing support.
They also partnered with San Francisco based AR royalty, Niantic Labs, who developed the popular Pokémon Go mobile game.
Where to download the app ?
The Look-up app is available to download directly from The Apple App Store or Google play store or Via the Welcome to Sheffield website.
