Queer Mart ︎ Queer Mart ︎ Queer Mart
Queer Mart ︎ Queer Mart ︎ Queer Mart
Queer Mart: An AR Social Network for LGBTQ+ Community Spaces
Thesis Project (2023)
Queer Mart is a prototype for an augmented reality (AR) social network designed for the LGBTQ+ community. It enables users to share safe locations, leave messages, and highlight resources using 3D objects as a form of queer coding. This mixed-reality space allows queer individuals to discover and contribute to community knowledge in an interactive, immersive way.
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Type
3D Prototyping & UX Design
Contribution
Platform
Mobile
3D Prototyping & UX Design
Contribution
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3D Prototyping & UX Design – Designed the prototype uisng Blender and other 3D software to cisualize how users would interact in AR.
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Research & Concept Development – Explored queer-coded visual language and social technology to inform the design.
- Interaction Design & Storytelling – Developed an engaging, participatory system for community members to leave digital artificats in physical spaces.
Platform
Mobile
(01)
Challenge
Challenge
Access to queer spaces and resources is increasingly restricted by government entities, particularly for trans and marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals.
Key limitations for the Old Approach:
Can an interactive AR platform improve access to community resources while fostering queer social connection?
Key limitations for the Old Approach:
- Restricted Access to Resources – Trans individuals face barriers to accessing HRT and other medical resources in certain states.
- Social Media Censorship & Fragmentation – Organizing within existing platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) is challenging due to content moderation, algorithmic suppression, and platform policies.
- Lack of Physical Safe Spaces – Many LGBTQ+ people struggle to find safe, affirming spaces, especially in regions where queer visibility is limited.
Can an interactive AR platform improve access to community resources while fostering queer social connection?
(02)
The Design Process
The Design Process
To inform the design, I conducted research into historical queer-coded spaces, digital activism, and the role of AR in social networks.
What I did:
What I did:
- Queer Coding in Space – Queer people have historically used visual symbols, coded messages, and cultural markers to identify safe spaces (e.g., the Hanky Code, Lavender Menace).
- Digital Activism & Access – Existing online platforms are not built for grassroots queer organizing, leading to censorship and fractured networks.
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Augmented Reality as a Medium – AR allows users to embed information into physical spaces, offering an alternative, community-driven way to share knowledge.
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Competitive Analysis: I examined other AR social platforms (Snapchat AR, Pokémon GO, Niantic tools) to understand their strengths, limitations, and interaction models.
(03)
Prototyping: Creating an AR-Based Queer Social Network
Prototyping: Creating an AR-Based Queer Social Network
Queer Mart was designed as a community-powered AR platform where users could:
Tools Used:
- Leave Digital Objects in Physical Spaces – Users can place 3D objects, notes, and resource markers at real-world locations.
- Use Queer Coding for Discovery – Instead of explicit text, the system relies on symbolic, queer-coded 3D objects to share information discreetly.
- Highlight Safe Spaces & Resources – Locations can be tagged as LGBTQ-friendly, mutual aid hubs, or resource centers.
- Interact Anonymously or Publicly – Users can browse, contribute, or interact without compromising safety.
Tools Used:
- Blender – Created 3D prototypes of AR objects and interactions.
- Premiere Pro & After Effects – Designed low-fi UX flows for navigation and interactions.
(04)
Final Solution: Queer Mart in Action
Final Solution: Queer Mart in Action
The prototype envisions a decentralized, AR-powered social network where LGBTQ+ individuals can:
Results & Impact:
Although the project is in its prototype phase, early testing and feedback indicate strong potential for real-wrold impact:
- Discover Community Knowledge – Users can scan an area with their phone to see messages, hidden objects, or location markers left by others.
- Create & Share Safe Spaces – Add personalized queer-coded 3D objects to spaces, signaling community presence.
- Find Vital Resources – Access HRT providers, LGBTQ+ businesses, shelters, and event listings by location.
Results & Impact:
Although the project is in its prototype phase, early testing and feedback indicate strong potential for real-wrold impact:
- Increased Accessibility to LGBTQ+ Resources – AR objects provide alternative ways to share information, bypassing restrictive online policies.
- Strengthened Community Bonds – The platform fosters organic, location-based queer networks, connecting users in meaningful ways.
- Enhanced Safety & Anonymity – The use of queer-coded symbols instead of text allows safer communication in restrictive environments.
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