AR Experiences

Niantic's Beyond Reality Developer Contest: Wild Sanctuary

I was brought on as Art Director to bring Dibs Studio's vision to life during the Niantic Beyond Reality Contest, a four-month hackathon where 10 development teams were tasked with exploring geospatial augmented reality (AR) using Niantic's Real World Platform. Niantic supported the teams with funding, tools, and services, empowering them to build immersive AR games.

Dibs Studio needed a compelling hero character for their game, and they decided on a red panda for its blend of cuteness and mystery. The inquisitive nature of the animal made it a perfect fit for interactive AR experiences, providing a natural and engaging connection with players. As Art Director, my role was to ensure that the character design, animations, and overall aesthetic aligned with the game’s vision, creating an engaging and visually cohesive experience that stood out in the competition.

Duties Included:

Art Directed for the production of Wild Sanctuary, a proof-of-concept game submitted for Niantic’s Beyond Reality Contest, where we secured 2nd place overall.
Acted as a liaison between Dibs Studio's teams in Toronto, Vancouver, and their art vendor in Ukraine, ensuring seamless communication and alignment on the project’s artistic vision.
Provided insights and consultation to the development team on the technical limitations of mobile gaming, ensuring that the artistic assets were optimized for performance without compromising quality.
Conceptualized, produced, and packaged 3D assets for use inside Unity, ensuring they were visually compelling, technically sound, and aligned with the overall game experience.

Niantic Contest Website | Click Here

RTFKT

The 3D team at RTFKT delivered exceptional work in crafting our Snapchat filters, bringing a high level of creativity and technical expertise to each project. Under my guidance, we focused on telling compelling stories through AR while ensuring the assets were meticulously set up for maximum impact. From wearable shoes like the iconic RTFKT Dunks, AF1's, and Cryptokicks to immersive AR posters created for the IRL Murakami and RTFKT event in Tokyo, the team excelled in pushing the boundaries of augmented reality. We also developed playful AR filters for our toy line, integrated interactive elements into Rimowa luggage, and brought the Animus creatures to life with dynamic animations. The team’s ability to blend fashion, art, and technology resulted in some of the most engaging and innovative AR experiences, demonstrating RTFKT’s forward-thinking approach in the digital fashion and collectibles space.

IRL Events | Click Here

AR Hoodie

The RTFKT AR Hoodie is a groundbreaking fusion of fashion and augmented reality, designed to push the limits of wearable technology. At the heart of this innovation are custom AR tracking markers intricately printed onto the hoodie’s fabric, designed to interact with Snapchat's AR capabilities. When viewed through the app, these markers activate a stunning, animated wing effect that responds dynamically to the user’s movements. The wings appear to grow and move organically in real-time, creating a visually striking experience that merges the physical and digital worlds seamlessly. This interactive feature elevates the hoodie beyond traditional apparel, offering wearers a new level of expression and engagement with their clothing. The RTFKT AR Hoodie is not only a bold statement in digital fashion but also a glimpse into the future of personalized, interactive style, further solidifying RTFKT’s position at the forefront of innovation in the fashion-tech space.

RTFKT: AR Hoodie | Click Here

Rimowa Suitcase

The RTFKT Rimowa Cabin Suitcase is a bold combination of luxury craftsmanship and cutting-edge augmented reality, bringing an element of playfulness to high-end travel gear. Integrated with AR tracking markers, the suitcase unlocks an exclusive filter designed for Snapchat, where a mischievous workerbot emerges in an animated sequence. Instead of the typical utilitarian packing and organizing, this tiny bot is humorously "by a floating robot arm equipped with a blowtorch, mimicking a shower scene as it tickles the workerbot's armpit. The delightful and whimsical interaction adds a playful twist to the otherwise sleek and sophisticated Rimowa suitcase. This fun and unexpected experience transforms a practical travel item into a memorable, engaging piece of interactive art. By blending serious design with lighthearted AR elements, RTFKT and Rimowa continue to push the boundaries of what a luxury product can offer in both the physical and digital worlds, making travel an adventure from the moment you pick up your suitcase.

RTFKT: Rimowa Filter | Click Here

RTFKT: WorkerBot Filter | Click Here

Animus

The RTFKT AR Hoodie is a groundbreaking fusion of fashion and augmented reality, designed to push the limits of wearable technology. At the heart of this innovation are custom AR tracking markers intricately embedded into the hoodie’s fabric, designed to interact with Snapchat's AR capabilities. When viewed through the app, these markers activate a stunning, animated wing effect that responds dynamically to the user’s movements. The wings appear to grow and move organically in real-time, creating a visually striking experience that merges the physical and digital worlds seamlessly. This interactive feature elevates the hoodie beyond traditional apparel, offering wearers a new level of expression and engagement with their clothing. The RTFKT AR Hoodie is not only a bold statement in digital fashion but also a glimpse into the future of personalized, interactive style, further solidifying RTFKT’s position at the forefront of innovation in the fashion-tech space.