Lagos: Boa Esperança Caravel — Mobile Application

In partnership with Nerve Atelier Design, we created a solution for the project "Interpretive Center of the Caravel Boa Esperança and the Portuguese Discoveries," promoted by Visit Algarve Portugal, that delves into the rich history of the city of Lagos in the Algarve, Portugal.
The Boa Esperança Caravel, a faithful replica of the sailing vessels that kickstarted the Portuguese maritime exploration in the 16th century and sailed beyond Cape Bojador and the Cape of Storms, nowadays serves as a starting point of the visitor exploration experience of the city of Lagos.
We developed an app that transports visitors back in time, allowing them to explore the interpretation center and learn about the role of the Algarve and caravels in the age of Portuguese discoveries. The visitors are encouraged to explore through augmented reality experiences the incredible life aboard the Caravel Boa Esperança and discover fascinating historical landmarks scattered throughout the city.

The mobile application "Lagos - Caravela Boa Esperança" was developed to provide an interactive and educational experience for tourists, students, and history enthusiasts who wish to explore the cultural heritage of Lagos. The application features a city map with 16 points of interest, including the iconic caravel Boa Esperança, which played a significant role in Portuguese discoveries.
The interface ensures simplicity, interactivity, and intuitiveness, drawing inspiration from the nautical motifs of the Age of Discoveries. Carefully selected colors and typography evoke the era, while modern elements, such as iconography, bridge the gap between past and present, illustrating the essence of two distinct epochs.

MECHANICS:
1. Navigate around using a map of Lagos to explore all activation points.
2. Explore the Boa Esperança Caravel with several activation points located throughout the vessel.
3. Navigate through the boat's map.
4. You will receive a notification when you are close to an activation point.
5. Place an object on the floor or point to a building and align the marker to start the augmented reality experience.
6. As a cherry on top, test your memory with a quiz at the end of each experience!

Visitors are guided throughout the experience by virtual characters representing various social groups of the time, including sailors, the captain of The Boa Esperança Caravel, slaves, and other historical figures. Each character offers a unique perspective on the Age of Discoveries. Our goal is to provide visitors with the opportunity to have a point of interaction with history through our application as well as discover different perspectives on historical events.
In the heart of Lagos, the visitor will meet King D. Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king and a visionary leader of the time, inviting visitors to discover the Age of Discoveries. From Lagos, he initiated Portugal's exploration era, earning the title "The Navigator." His conquest of Ceuta marked a pivotal achievement at the beginning of his path.

Within our AR application, visitors are encouraged to explore the history of some landmarks around the city through motion storytelling, as, for example, at one of the points of interest that represents the well-known battle of Alcácer Quibir, portrayed in this triptych by the renowned artist João Cutileiro. Also depicted in this scene are the history and consequences of the disappearance of King D. Sebastião and the Sebastianism myth.

STATUE OF KING SEBASTIAN OF PORTUGAL
Located in the Gil Eanes plaza, this sculpture by João Cutileiro was unveiled in 1973. It immortalizes the memory of King Sebastian of Portugal, who gave conferred city status to Lagos in 1573. King Sebastian sailed from Lagos, in 1578, to conquer Alcácer Quibir, on the fatal military expedition to Morocco. The king’s disappearance led to the messianic myth of Sebastianism, which endures in the Portuguese collective memory, literature and philosophy to this day. The people, refusing to accept the tragic end of their king, believed he would one day return in a misty day.

"CIÊNCIA VIVA" CENTER
In this “Ciência Viva” Center in Lagos, open since January 2009, the visitors can learn some interesting facts about the Portuguese maritime exploration. In the main exhibition, you will find aspects of everyday life on board the ships, means of communication at sea and other interesting facts.

But this journey does not end there! Explore other points of interest in Lagos with the help of this companion app to time travel to the Age of Exploration! Witness the start of the great nautical achievements that changes the course of History for not only Portugal but also the World.

Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey? Download the app and share with us your experience!
LAGOS: CARAVELA BOA ESPERANÇA App is available for both Android and iOS

CONCEPT & DIRECTION – Helder da Rocha Pereira
CREATIVE DIRECTION – Arina Zhumasheva
3D DIRECTION – Nazariy Voloshchuk
DESIGN – Arina Zhumasheva
MOTION DESIGN – Adrian Soto, Telma Santana
3D PRODUCTION – Nazariy Voloshchuk, Joana Vieira
DEVELOPMENT – Maurício Ferreira, Juliana Quintas
SOUND DESIGN – Juliana Quintas