The traditional educational approaches in art classrooms have increasingly fallen short of addressing the needs of learners in an era marked by rapid technological advancements. Augmented reality (AR), as a leading representative of these emerging technologies, has recently been integrated into traditional educational methods, repeatedly demonstrating its effectiveness. Over recent years, AR-enhanced teaching methodologies have shown significant benefits, particularly in higher education. However, there is a notable lack of research exploring the impact of AR on art and design education, especially within the visual communication design discipline. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of AR in student learning, focusing on a cohort of 64 visual communication design students at a university in Hefei, China. Utilizing an AR-based design learning system, which incorporates a LiDAR scanner and Unity 3D, the study assesses students' learning motivation, engagement, and interest through the use of questionnaires and scales. The findings reveal that, compared to conventional multimedia teaching, the interactivity and unique advantages of AR can create engaging teaching content, significantly enhancing students' learning outcomes, motivation, and engagement.