Imagine reptiles and insects not just on paper, but animated and alive through augmented reality. This is the heart of Professor Kim Wild’s groundbreaking research. She combines traditional watercolor paintings of uncommon animal subjects with augmented reality (AR) to create immersive experiences. Her focus is on animals such as reptiles and insects, many of which she owns as pets and can study firsthand. These animals serve as the inspiration for her paintings, which are later transformed through digital animation.
Professor Wild begins each piece by photographing and studying the animals in depth, capturing the unique details of their characteristics. She then paints them using watercolor, a medium she favors.
Once the traditional painting is complete, Professor Wild brings the artwork into digital software to begin the next phase—turning the still image into an AR experience. The paintings are then animated to make the animals come to life. When viewed through a mobile device, the artwork provides an engaging augmented reality experience.
Professor Wild continues to research new ways to animate her work, constantly exploring different methods and tools to enhance the AR experience. While she has experimented with AI tools to assist in the animation process, none have produced the results she was looking for. That’s not to say the technology won’t evolve to meet her needs in the future, but for now, she has decided not to use AI in her creative process. Maintaining creative control is essential to her work.
By merging watercolor and AR, Professor Wild is not only pushing the boundaries of
what traditional art can do but also encouraging people to connect more deeply with
these uniquely animated paintings. Please keep a lookout for future School of Business
colloquias.