Step by Step process on Converting your boring business card into an interactive Augmented Reality Business Card…

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In a world where first impressions matter, a business card can be the key to unlocking new opportunities. But what if your business card could do more than share your contact information? Enter augmented reality. By implementing this cutting-edge technology into your business card, you can exhibit your brand in an entirely new light and leave an indelible impression on future clients and partners.

You may provide consumers with an interactive and exciting encounter with your company with an AR business card. Additionally, if you want to stand out, AR business cards are the way to go!

In this blog article, we’ll walk you through making your own augmented reality business card and discuss the exciting potential this revolutionary tool can bring to your company.

What is an AR Business card?

An augmented reality business card is a business card that uses augmented reality technology. Instead of being a static physical object that only displays contact information, an AR business card employs live image tracking technology to overlay digital content on top of the physical card. This digital material might range from extra information like social media links or product information to interactive AR experiences like animations or mini-games.

How do AR Cards work?

To utilize an AR business card, the recipient must first download an app that supports image tracking technology, then point their phone’s camera at the card and watch as the digital content comes to life on their device’s screen. This can be an engaging and memorable way for businesses to showcase their brand and leave a lasting impression on clients and collaborators.

AR cards operate using live image tracking technology, available on iPhone and Android devices via the ARKit and ARCore technologies, respectively. This technology lets the programme recognize and follow physical business cards before superimposing digital content.

The initial stage in creating an AR card is constructing an application that uses image-tracking technology. This can be accomplished through ARKit or ARCore, software development kits allow developers to create augmented reality experiences for their respective platforms.

After creating the app, users only need to point their phone’s camera at the business card. The programme then detects and tracks the card using the device’s camera and overlays digital content on top of it in real time. This might range from additional information like social media links or product information to interactive AR experiences like animations or mini-games.

AR card technology is continually changing, with new developments being made constantly. While the current capabilities of AR cards are astounding, they are only the tip of the iceberg regarding what ARKit and ARCore are capable of. We expect to see even more fascinating and imaginative augmented reality applications as these technologies advance.

Advantages of using AR Business Cards

AR (augmented reality) business cards have various advantages compared to regular business cards. Following are a few of the more significant benefits:

1. Enhanced engagement: AR technology offers a more engaging and immersive experience for the user. AR business cards can be developed to present the recipient with a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience, boosting the likelihood of the card being remembered and acted upon.
2. Better information retention: AR business cards allow you to transmit information more engagingly and interactively, resulting in higher retention of the information offered. This is especially handy for companies who wish to exhibit their products or services dynamically and interactively.
3. Update AR content without altering the card’s physical appearance: You can make updates or changes to your business information, products, or services as needed without reprinting or redistributing new physical cards. This can save time and money and ensure that your business card’s information is always up-to-date and accurate. Additionally, you can use analytics to track how people interact with your AR business card content, allowing you to refine and optimize the content for maximum engagement and impact.
4. Improved brand awareness: AR business cards can generate discussion about your company by being shared on social media and other digital platforms. This can help boost brand awareness and exposure, leading to new commercial prospects.
5. Personalization: AR business cards can be customized with messages, animations, and interactive components that suit your brand and business. This customization can help distinguish your business card from the competition and leave an impression on the recipient.
6. Cost Effective: AR business cards are less expensive to produce than standard business cards because they do not require the same printing and distribution requirements. As a result, they are a low-cost solution to promote your company and differentiate yourself from the competition.

How to get started with AR business cards and what is the cost of making it

The cost of creating AR (augmented reality) business cards can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the technology used. However, several options are available for businesses of all sizes and budgets to get started with AR business cards.

One option is to use an online service specializing in creating AR business cards, such as ZapWorks, Blippar, or Augment. These services typically offer templates and easy-to-use tools for businesses to make their own AR business cards, with prices ranging from free to several hundred dollars per year, depending on the level of service and features.

Another option is to work with a custom AR development agency to create a fully customized AR business card. This can be more expensive, with prices ranging from a thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of the project and the level of customization required.

To start with AR business cards, businesses should determine their goals and what they hope to achieve with the technology. They should also research the options and technologies available and choose the one that best fits their needs and budget. From there, they can create AR business cards using online services or work with a development agency to create a fully customized solution.

Steps To make an AR business card

Creating an AR business card may sound complicated, but with the help of software like Sketch and Reality Composer, it can be a straightforward and enjoyable process. Here are steps to create an AR business card for free without coding knowledge.

Step 1: Create an AR business card using Sketch

The first step in creating an AR business card is to design the layout and content of the card in Sketch. Consider the information you want to communicate to potential clients or customers and how you can organize it into different sections. For instance, you might want to include details about your company’s products or services, contact information, or social media profiles.

It’s crucial to establish or acquire a layout for your AR business card that functions as a good picture target for tracking. This will make it possible for your AR experience to run smoothly and efficiently.

Step 2: Export assets from Sketch

You must export each layer from Sketch as a separate image in order to make your AR business card come to life. By doing this, you’ll be able to import every image separately into Reality Composer, where you’ll make the AR experience.

Step 3: Import images into Reality Composer

Once you have exported all the necessary assets from Sketch, it is time to import them into Reality Composer. Create a new Reality Composer project and select “image anchor” as your tracking target. Use the image of the back of your business card as that anchor, and set the physical dimensions of the image anchor to 5.08 cm by 8.89 cm for a standard business card.

Import all the images you exported from Sketch and position them in Reality Composer to align with the graphics on the back of the card, creating a main navigation menu. This is a time-consuming task, as you will need to specify X, Y, and Z positions for each image individually to ensure they are all positioned correctly in 3D.

Suppose you have downloaded a template for an AR business card. In that case, you can replace the existing images in the Reality Composer template file by right-clicking on an image and selecting “replace,” than importing your image. All existing behaviours and animations on the original images will be automatically applied to your new images.

If you want to add 3D text to your AR business card, create a semi-translucent background to superimpose on, making the text more readable.

Step 4: Produce the final AR sequences

Use the same picture anchor across all scenes in your AR experience, and make a new scene for each segment. Layout the imported Sketch pictures over the image anchor to create the scene.

Let’s say you want to enhance your experience with text. In that instance, producing 3D text directly in Reality Composer is advised rather than importing text-containing pictures from Sketch because it is easier to read and loads more quickly.

Step 5: Develop animations and transitions between scenes

Connect various scenes together so that when visitors tap on an image in your card’s main navigation menu, they are taken to the scene corresponding to that image. Make sure a “back” menu option is included so users may go back to the main navigation scene.

Make those transitions more interesting and relevant by animating them. The documentation for Reality Composer contains information on creating scene transitions and animations.

Step 6: Export your file and host it online.

Export a.reality file from Reality Composer after finishing and testing your experience, and host it on page that your QR code points to.This will allow Safari to open that page when someone scans the code with their iPhone camera.

Step 7: Print your business card

Once your AR business card is designed and ready to go, it’s time to print it out. Use high-quality printing materials to ensure vivid and clear colours and images.

When you receive your printed business cards, test them by scanning the QR code with your smartphone’s camera. Ensure the AR experience launches correctly and all the elements are properly positioned.

Step 8: Share your AR business card

Now that your AR business card is printed and tested, it’s time to start sharing it with your contacts and potential clients.

Hand out your AR business card at networking events, business meetings, and other professional gatherings. Make sure to let people know that they have the option to scan the QR code on the back of the card to launch an interactive AR experience.

You can also share your AR business card online by including it in your email signature or posting it on your website or social media profiles. Encourage your followers to scan the QR code to experience your AR business card for themselves.

Step 9: Update and refine your AR business card

Your AR business card doesn’t have to be a static experience. As your business evolves and your brand identity changes, you can update and refine your AR business card to reflect those changes.

Use the feedback from clients and contacts to improve your AR business card. Pay attention to which sections of your AR experience are most popular and engaging, and consider adding more interactive elements to those sections.

Updating and refining your AR business card over time ensures that it remains a valuable and effective marketing tool for your business.

5 Companies to Consider for Your AR Business Cards.

AirCards

AirCards is a service that allows brands and organizations to upgrade their print assets with augmented reality without worrying about creating an app or finding developers. The company is based in London, UK & America’s Boston area and offers expert designers to help with custom assets.

The service also includes cloud hosting, which allows users to save and access their projects from anywhere in the world. Advanced analytics are also available, so users can see their campaigns’ conversion and ROI. Pricing is available by quotation.

Poplar

Poplar.studio has quickly become a leading provider of augmented reality services for businesses and marketing professionals. Their easy-to-use platform offers a wide range of features, making it an ideal choice for those who are looking to create immersive, engaging experiences for their customers. Poplar Studio offers excellent mood boards, template projects to help creativity, and analytics tools to track the success of campaigns.

The platform also supports multiplatform experience deployment, including Instagram, Facebook, Apple or Android devices, Tik Tok, Snapchat, and more. You can join for free, access resources, and do projects, but commercial use should be treated individually.

Layar

Layar is a platform that seamlessly integrates digital content with the natural world by bringing it into stores, classrooms, or waiting rooms through Augmented Reality (AR). Users can create campaigns on Layar’s web-based Creator tool, triggering users’ smartphones when they enter one of these triggering environments, such as at-home appliances where brands have already installed their respective intelligent sensors.

The platform is well-designed, with visualization and analysis tools to help you track your marketing results. Layar also offers a self-service platform, meaning you don’t need an assessor if you don’t like it. Pricing is flexible and based on your needs, with a free 30-day trial available.

Blippar

Blippar is the UK’s first unicorn specialising in augmented reality content creation and publishing. Their offices are in London, where they create bespoke AR campaigns for partners like GSK, Porsche, and Land Rover, which had its logo projected onto the roadways of Dubai for a campaign. Blippar produces high-quality 3D models using an iPhone app called “Blipper,” available on the AppStore worldwide.

The platform also offers low code, no-code development of your models, drag-and-drop features with premade models, and accessibility to most social network applications. It’s great for commercial or educational purposes, with pricing available by quotation.

ARvid

ARvid is an AR app that allows businesses to summon prehistoric mammals and birds into their living room. ARvid offers hundreds of animal packs, a cloud feature to import its own models, 4k textures on all models, adding landscapes and portraits to projects, and sharable on all major social media platforms.

The cloud feature of the app allows users to save their projects and access them from anywhere in the world, making it easy to share and collaborate on projects with others. ARvid’s pricing is a free trial at $0 and a monthly subscription of $4.99.

Tips for creating effective AR Digital Business Cards

Here are some tips for creating effective AR digital business cards:

Keep it simple: While AR technology can be used to create complex and engaging experiences, it’s important to keep the overall design and layout of the business card simple and easy to understand. Make sure to leave the user with enough information and interactive elements.

Focus on branding: Use the AR digital business card as an opportunity to showcase your brand uniquely and innovatively. Incorporate your brand’s colours, fonts, and imagery into the card’s design, and consider how the AR experience can reinforce and enhance your brand messaging.

Make it interactive: The whole point of using AR technology in a business card is to create an engaging and memorable experience for the user. Consider adding interactive elements, such as animations, videos, or mini-games, to make the AR experience more exciting and fun.

Include relevant information: While the AR experience should be the focal point of the card, it’s still important to include relevant information, such as contact information or social media links, that the user can access outside of the AR experience.

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