A collaboration, an app, Janet Jackson and a prestigious award. The best of everything.
The byline for my company is “Music. Creativity. Technology”. These elements come together with a collaboration that is so forward thinking it brings with it some level of controversy, attention and respect. This is what happened, and continues to happen, with the Augmented Reality (AR) mobile app ‘Unbreakable: Documenting Black History in Augmented Reality’. We won an award for this mobile app … actually we won two awards. Let me explain.
Great Design is a thing …
It all started when Anthony Phills wanted to make an impact to shape the future of immersive learning by using his skills in design, technology and aesthetics . To achieve the aim of portraying history, particularly Black history, in a format that can be easily distributed, accurate, interactive and upgradable, he chose to use the emerging format of Augmented Reality (AR) and produce an evolving AR Exhibit. My role was to create Music and Sound Design to further immerse the viewer into the world Anthony was creating.
The development, testing and implementation took approximately six (6) months.
There is also a tour of the exhibit embedded within the app. Depending on which city you are within the United States a special interactive statue is geo-located to a landmark within that city. Added bonus – there is also a geo-located landmark in Port of Spain, Trinidad. In time, there would be other locations added from around the world.
The app is FREE and available at in the Apple Store. You can see part of the exhibit and download the app here.
International Design Awards 2020 (Silver Medal)
In 2020 we had the honor of winning the Silver Medal at the International Design Awards 2020 in the category of Multimedia/Interactive Media. We are very proud of this achievement. Anthony also wrote an article on Linkedin that you can read here.
This first win was a clear indication that we created something novel and that we are on the cutting edge of education through digital means. Augmented Reality (AR) has a wider distribution than Virtual Reality (VR) as mobile phones are more accessible.
The inaugural 2022 Anthem Awards
According to their website “The Anthem Awards, the Webby Awards newest initiative, was developed to recognize the breadth of social good work (online and offline) around the globe by honoring the organizations, brands, and people creating long-lasting impact; including, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Education, Art, & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment, & Climate. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards define a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities—founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.”
Who were the judges?
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Members include Daniel Dae Kim (Actor, Producer, and Activist); Ashley Judd (Author, Actor, and Social Justice Humanitarian); Mitchell Baker (CEO and Chairwoman, Mozilla); Lisa Sherman (President and CEO, Ad Council), Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO, GLAAD); Renata Erlikhman (Chief Investment Officer, OW Management); Shayla Tait (Director of Philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation); Russlynn Ali (CEO and co-founder, XQ Institute); Marc Ecko (Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member, XQ Institute); Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, Ad Council); and Alexis M. Herman (Chair and Chief Executive Officer, New Ventures, and former U.S. Secretary of Labor).
I am proud to announce that Anthony Phills won the Bronze Medal at the inaugural 2022 Anthem Awards in the category, ‘Education, Art & Culture – Product of the Year’. I am humbled that I am also the only one on the Design Team mentioned in the awards page.
Janet Jackson congratulates Anthony
Janet Jackson, who needs no introduction, is a friend of Anthony. Throughout the development of the app he kept her informed of its progress and also its importance. When we won the award she kindly publicized it on Social Media. We are grateful to Janet for this kind gesture.
I have a lot more to explain about the mobile app, its development and how its potential will advance the field of education but it will take too long. Luckily I did an interview with Anthony that will explain those aspects and much more. Do enjoy the following video and stay tuned to more developments regarding this mobile AR app.