AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION FOR JEPARA CARVING PRODUCTS AS A PROMOTIONAL MEDIUM AT SAMUDRA PUTRA FURNITURE STORE

Abstract

The furniture business competition in the digital era faces challenges in promotion, namely the inability of 2D media to present product scale and proportion visualization accurately. This limitation creates visual uncertainty (customer hesitation) that hinders purchasing decisions. This research aims to design and develop an Augmented Reality (AR)-based interactive promotional medium to provide a virtual try-before-you-buy experience. The development methodology employs the Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) with a backend interface for product management (CRUD) and a frontend for product catalog and AR visualization. The implemented technologies include AR as the core of 3D visualization, Quick Response Code (QR Code) as an access trigger, and WebAR as a browser-based platform. System testing utilizes Black Box Testing methods covering functional testing, AR quality, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). The research results demonstrate that the system was successfully built with 100% functionality operating according to specifications. AR functionality proved capable of projecting 3D models stably and interactively in the user's environment. UAT results show that the system is well-accepted by the store for managing products and by prospective customers for assisting the visualization process. The novelty of this research lies in the implementation of markerless WebAR with plane detection that enables direct access through browsers without application installation, as well as a focus on digitizing Jepara carving products with high visual complexity. This research concludes that AR implementation is a functional and valid solution to overcome 2D media visualization problems and has the potential to increase customer confidence in making online furniture purchasing decisions.