Bringing Raja Ravi Varma’s world to life in AR
Bringing Raja Ravi Varma’s
world to life in AR
Bringing Raja Ravi Varma’s world to life in AR
An immersive AR experience exploring the diary entries, sketches and paintings of the Varma brothers, bringing their world to life for every visitor
An immersive AR experience exploring the diary entries, sketches and paintings of the Varma brothers, bringing their world to life for every visitor
An immersive AR experience exploring the diary entries, sketches and paintings of the Varma brothers, bringing their world to life for every visitor
My role: Design Lead
My role: Design Lead
Team: 10 members
Team: 10 members
Overview
Overview
In early 2025, the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation was launching The Diary of C. Raja Raja Varma, the personal journal of the legendary artist’s lesser-known brother. Anandana Kapur, award-winning filmmaker, was leading the project, but with the launch only three months away, design progress had stalled. I joined to set the design vision, build the roadmap, and guide the team to delivery.
In early 2025, the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation was launching The Diary of C. Raja Raja Varma, the personal journal of the legendary artist’s lesser-known brother. Anandana Kapur, award-winning filmmaker, was leading the project, but with the launch only three months away, design progress had stalled. I joined to set the design vision, build the roadmap, and guide the team to delivery.
My role
My role
Setting Direction and Roadmap
Setting Direction and Roadmap
I helped Anandana build the roadmap from user testing and design iterations, to final execution.
I reviewed work done so far, identified gaps and clarified goals giving the team a clear direction.
I helped Anandana build the roadmap from user testing and design iterations, to final execution.
I reviewed work done so far, identified gaps and clarified goals giving the team a clear direction.
User Testing & Research
User Testing & Research
I guided a UX researcher to run remote usability tests. While we couldn’t test AR directly, these tests gave valuable insights into how users interpreted layered content and on-screen cues, which informed the installation’s interaction design.
I guided a UX researcher to run remote usability tests. While we couldn’t test AR directly, these tests gave valuable insights into how users interpreted layered content and on-screen cues, which informed the installation’s interaction design.
Design Implementation & Tech Collaboration
Design Implementation
& Tech Collaboration
I helped the UX team implement designs and coordinated with Unity developers to handle technical challenges. Walkthroughs and iterative tweaks ensured the AR experience was seamless and feasible.
I helped the UX team implement designs and coordinated with Unity developers to handle technical challenges. Walkthroughs and iterative tweaks ensured the AR experience was seamless and feasible.
Onsite Testing & Refinement
Onsite Testing & Refinement
We visited the gallery twice — first to review the space, and second to test the prototype with users.
I set up protocols to moderate sessions, document findings, and defined next steps, ensuring the
digital layers worked well with the physical space.
We visited the gallery twice — first to review the space, and second to test the prototype with users. I set up protocols to moderate sessions, document findings, and defined next steps, ensuring the digital layers worked well with the physical space.
We visited the gallery twice — first to review the space, and second to test the prototype with users. I set up protocols to moderate sessions, document findings, and defined next steps, ensuring the digital layers worked well with the physical space.
Leading Final Delivery
Leading Final Delivery
I temporarily stepped in as delivery lead, staying onsite to ensure every interaction, projection, and AR trigger worked smoothly. The installation launched on schedule, fully polished and functional.
I temporarily stepped in as delivery lead, staying onsite to ensure every interaction, projection, and AR trigger worked smoothly. The installation launched on schedule, fully polished and functional.
Outcome
Outcome
The installation ran from February to May 2025. Visitors explored diary passages and artworks that came alive through sound, projection, and AR. Over 1,000 people visited in the opening weeks, and the response was so positive that the exhibition was extended for several more weeks.
The installation ran from February to May 2025. Visitors explored diary passages and artworks that came alive through sound, projection, and AR. Over 1,000 people visited in the opening weeks, and the response was so positive that the exhibition was extended for several more weeks.
If you'd like to learn more about my projects, hit me up!
If you'd like to learn more
about my projects, hit me up!
Made with Slow coffee pours and a Sisyphus smile.
Tools used: Framer, Figma, Jitter.AI, Perplexity