Bachelor thesis

The bachelor’s thesis entitled „Development and design of an interactive print medium“ is based on the problem that the print sector has to adapt to digitization. It examines the advantages and disadvantages of this change, the value of print media in today’s market and what combination of print and digital media is possible, especially with regard to augmented reality. The research question is therefore: What potential does cross-mediality have for print media in combination with augmented reality? First, the development of the print media was examined and it was found that these are stable despite declines in circulation and sales, since the print media are valued due to digital sensory overload. In addition, cross-mediality in the print sector is increasingly being promoted, since digital media are not replacing print media, but are being given a new role. As a result, print products will be produced in the future with higher quality, more creativity and refinements. In the next step, the basics and potential of augmented reality are explained, because the technology is already very mature. It is important for a successful application that certain requirements are met, because then numerous fields of application and areas of application are possible. A disadvantage, however, is that the technology has not yet arrived in everyday life, despite its great potential. However, due to the new way in which information is presented and processed, this is only a matter of time. The cross-mediality of augmented print, the combination of print media and augmented reality, will then be in focus. It becomes clear that the disadvantages of print products can be compensated for with the help of augmented reality, even if not all print media are suitable for digital expansion with augmented reality. For the user of such an application, but also for the operator, there are numerous informative, entertaining, social, convenient and commercial benefits. However, the decisive factor for a successful augmented print application is the high-quality content and the added value for the user. With this requirement, a wide range of application scenarios are conceivable, which are expanded by a wide variety of digital content.

After the theoretical foundations have been sufficiently examined, the next section deals with a case study analysis of best practices. Using the qualitative case study analysis, magazines are examined that have been combined with an augmented reality application. Crucial to the study is the question of which properties a print medium enhanced by augmented reality should have in order to be successful and effective. The analysis parameters are based on the findings from the previous chapters. In this case study analysis, meaningful results were highlighted that emphasize certain properties of an augmented print product. This procedure is intended to prepare the next step, in which a separate augmented print product is conceptualized and designed.

In this implementation, a magazine called „Revive“ is expanded by augmented reality and this works on the content of the bachelor thesis. An augmented reality application is implemented with the help of the Layar app, which is why the display options for the digital content depend on the functions of the program. Finally, based on the procedure explained above, it can be deduced that the print media is developing away from a mass medium, but the advantages of the products are still appreciated. Furthermore, augmented reality is a promising technology that, in combination with a print product, compensates for its disadvantages and creates new advantages through cross-mediality. Such digital elements make the print media dynamic, which means that the digital content also benefits from the value of the print media. Ultimately, the result is better information transfer and greater entertainment value for the user.

The magazine is based on the initial position of the bachelor thesis, what print media will look like in the future and to what extent augmented reality can enhance the medium. The print product itself represents one way in which print can act cross-media in the future and be expanded with the help of augmented reality. In addition, this augmented print product should convince that the print media will not disappear from the market on the one hand and on the other hand have the ability to offer the reader added value even in the digital age. The topic of the magazine reflects the topic of this work and also deals with the aspects of print media and augmented reality, whereupon augmented print is explained and some examples are presented. However, the topics are treated less scientifically and adapted to the journalistic style of a magazine. The product itself thus represents a possibility for the execution of an augmented print product and gives an outlook on the possible future of print products. The relevance for such a topic of the magazine is great, since many underestimate the effect of the print media and describe digitization as an enemy of the medium. The magazine aims to make it clear that this assumption is unfounded and that digital media can even support the development of a print product. This aspect of giving the print media back the importance they had in previous years is the motivation and at the same time the goal for the realization of the magazine. Because the variety and intensity of the print products is still constant, even if it is developing away from the mass medium. Although this development harms the number of print runs, it does not affect the impact of print media. The magazine is aimed at a design-oriented target group for whom print is important and who are interested in the subject. It is also aimed at people who share the same belief about the development of the print media and also people who did not predict a successful future for the print media. The magazine is called „Revive“ with the slogan „Print isn’t dead, it’s changing.“. The title was designed in English so that the magazine can also operate internationally. Translated, „Revive“ means to revive or revive and thus symbolizes the revival of the print medium. This meaning is also supported by the slogan, which translates to “Print is not dead, it is changing.” and thus wants to refute the assumption that the medium will die out. Because as found out in the bachelor thesis, the medium will continue to exist in a different form. The magazine is produced in DIN A5 format with high-quality paper, because the product should not only impress in terms of content, but also in terms of its appearance and feel. Because high-quality paper enhances the effect of a print medium. As part of the thesis, only the print medium is developed and designed. If the project were to go further, a digital presence would certainly also be developed via a website and social networks. Because these digital media strengthen the cross-mediality of the magazine and additional content would be available that could expand the print product using AR.