The need for technology-based media is vital in the era of 21st-century education. Here, augmented reality media is a medium predicted to provide a more realistic experience successfully and in line with the developmental phase of elementary school students. For this reason, this study aims to analyze the need for augmented reality media development and develop an initial design for augmented reality media development in STEAM learning in elementary schools. This research used the R&D method with two of the four stages of R&D research. These stages are preliminary studies and initial design development. The subjects of this study were seven teachers and 129 students of a public elementary school in East Java, Indonesia. The instruments of this research were questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and interpretive analysis. The results of this study revealed that teachers and students needed media that can represent material in-depth, increase interest and motivation, and provide experiences, such as STEAM-based augmented reality learning media. Meanwhile, the initial design development results of STEAM-based augmented reality learning media were in the form of six types of designs, containing Batik, Wayang (puppet), Gamelan, Borobudur Temple, Kereta Kencana (golden chariot), and Keris.