POSSIBILITIES OF USING AR/VR TECHNOLOGIES IN BOOK ILLUSTRATION

Abstract

The article examines the features of AR/VR technologies in book illustration, reveals their impact on readers, illustrators, and publishers, and outlines the prospects for the development of interactive publications. Purpose. The aim of the study is to conduct a comprehensive theoretical and practical analysis of the use of AR/VR technologies in book illustration to identify their transformational potential, as well as their potential impact on readers/illustrators/ publishers. Analysis of technical prerequisites and prospects for further development. Methodology. The study is based on an interdisciplinary method that includes analysis, synthesis, and comparison. An analysis of current sources on the topic of AR/VR in typographic products, in particular in book illustration, was carried out. Scientific works such as articles in peer-reviewed publications, conference materials, analytical reports, and practical examples of AR/VR application in literature were analyzed. The work uses a comparative method to compare the features of technology implementation in printed products. Results. Augmented reality technologies can significantly change the reader’s experience when interacting with a book. AR illustration transforms a static image into a dynamic and interactive one: when pointing a smartphone camera at a page, the user can see a three-dimensional animation of a character in the background of the printed image, hear a voice or musical accompaniment, answer interactive questions, and more. This expands the boundaries of classic illustration, combining the tactile experience of reading with multimedia elements. VR headsets can use the metaverse to take this approach even further – to the creation of fully immersive literary worlds in which the reader can be an ob server or even a participant in the events. In this study, these innovations are seen as a positive step in creating a unique competitive project, where the introduction of AR/VR can add new avenues for learning, research, games, and communication, potentially enhancing the potential of the book publishing industry and making their projects more attractive and competitive thanks to deep integration with the digital universe. However, it has become clear that there are still very few such products on the market due to the low availability of VR/AR headsets, unsatisfactory battery life, and high development costs. In the future, these factors may be resolved in the near future thanks to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools capable of optimizing the development process and significantly reducing costs, as well as the integration of book illustrations into the broader virtual spaces of the metaverse. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the systematization of modern approaches to the integration of AR/VR technologies into book illustration and in the generalization of the latest examples of the use of illustration in various works. Various functional advantages of technologies for readers, developers/ illustrators, and publishers were analyzed, which creates a basis for further research and practical developments in the field of publishing design in the era of future technological development. The work also identifies the main problems and levers that hinder the emergence of works with AR/VR integrations. Practical relevance. The results present opportunities and potential challenges for publishers, developers, and illustrators in implementing AR/VR technologies in their future products, combining digital technologies and elements of the physical world to create innovative projects. The conclusions drawn about the impact of AR books on motivation and the quality of information perception allow for the planning of higher-quality educational products and immersive works of art. As a result, this will contribute to the emergence of a new generation of competitive books that combine traditional reading with interactive experiences.