Welcome to our AR Creator Spotlight, where we shine a light on the visionaries shaping the world of Augmented Reality (AR). Today, meet Lolli.Olly, an AR creator whose journey began during the early days of the pandemic. She’s been crafting mesmerizing AR experiences that seamlessly blend creativity with technical prowess. In this interview, Lolli.Olly shares her sources of inspiration, her unique working process, and her vision for the future of AR. Join us as we dive into her world, where artistry and technology converge to create extraordinary AR experiences.
– Let’s start from the beginning! How did you start your AR journey? What inspired you to become a creator and what keeps you motivated to continue creating for this industry?
– My journey to AR began in 2020, it was the first month of the Covid lockdown. I accidentally saw an advertisement for Meta Spark Studio on Facebook and decided to try it. I found it very interesting and inspiring because the creation of AR effects contained both the possibility of creativity and the technically complex creation of effects. Perhaps this mix of creativity and technical complexity is still an inspiring challenge for me and at the same time a balance between two directions, the beauty of art creation and the technical implementation of digital effects.
– What is AR for you?
– AR for me is the opportunity to create reality that appears in my imagination, to bring life to my ideas, to create what isn’t available in the physical world, to blur the boundaries of the physical and digital worlds and not to be afraid to express myself in this world now.
– How do you see the future of AR evolving? What kind of opportunities do you think it will bring to creators and brands?
– 1. This is an opportunity to reduce the production and consumption of products in the physical world that have a negative impact on the environment. By moving the consumption of some products into AR, while the possibilities of the digital world allow the creation of larger and more impressive projects (for example, accessories or clothing, information tips for tourism, the visually impaired, or education, etc.) 2. The ability to use AR is of great value to a brand as it allows them to create a conceptual identity that reflects their values and mission. Immersive augmented reality and immersive experiences offer the opportunity to create an emotional experience for users, which can help strengthen the bond between brand and user. 3. AR opens up incredible opportunities for access to information and education for a huge number of people, the ability to perceive and understand information through the creation of immersive AR experiences (for example, historical reproduction of events, reproduction of experimental results, reproduction of art objects, visualization of the work of the human body, atoms, galaxies and so on.) 4. AR also opens up new possibilities for self-expression, creativity, and manifestation in the world, making it accessible to more people and creating new ways of creating creative objects. I’m sure that AR will undoubtedly merge with the physical world and this will be our new reality!
– Who or what inspires you in your work, and can you describe your working process? Do you follow a plan or work spontaneously? Do you have a specific style that sets you apart from other creators?
– I am driven by a passion for innovation and the desire to bring to life fantastic and unrealistic objects born in my imagination. I am inspired by fashion brands, nature, contemporary art, 3D artists, and motivated professionals. It’s hard to say that I find inspiration anywhere in particular; sometimes an idea can arise from completely ordinary things. I like to combine incompatible or unusual for use, to create materials that do not (yet) exist in the real world in realistic objects. I create effects more spontaneously, the only plan I use is a list of ideas that may arise completely unexpectedly. Moreover, when I begin to implement an idea, it can change beyond recognition during the creation process. This happens because I really like to experiment while working, it gives me the energy to play when creating AR effects. I define myself as a creator of digital face jewelry and accessories. I think my works can be distinguished by the combination of materials, colors, and style of decoration.
– Can you share an example of a project where you pushed the boundaries of what is possible with AR technology and what kind of impact did it have?
– My latest project is a collection of digital face jewelry created for IG, Snapchat, and Dress X This collection is inspired by the future, the materials of the future that we will use to make jewelry, augmented reality glasses and digital clothing. The items of clothing that we wear especially on the face should not only be functional but also beautiful and complement our image. What if the AR glasses of the future had liquid glass functional lenses and were still in line with fashion trends? I’m inspired by the many benefits of creating digital facial jewelry, including the ability to create a personalized look, endless design possibilities, and the ability to wear intricate and eye-catching jewelry without the weight and discomfort of traditional jewelry. This is an opportunity to express yourself creatively, emphasize your characteristics, appropriate a beautiful object for yourself, and share your emotions with others. What if materials and forms of clothing in the future will be new to us, not with the physical properties to which we are accustomed, but with something that we cannot yet imagine? Simple and innovative, fulfilling their technical and creative functions.
– Can you list the brands you have worked with? (list links of experiences if possible) What are the project(s) you’re most proud of?
– Amazon Egypt, WWF Singapore, 24/7 Golf, Crooked Beverage Co., KASH Beauty
– Collaboration is a crucial aspect of creating successful AR projects. Can you share an example of a project where you had to balance a client’s needs with your creative vision? How did you navigate that challenge?
– In one of my latest projects, I created a packaging design using AR Effects for IG for drink cans. Initially, the client wanted to create AR effects to launch a series of soda in cans, but during the discussion I suggested creating AR packaging for these cans. The main idea was to create a different animation for each can of drink to immerse the user in a feeling of freshness/energy/taste/juiciness/relaxation. Supplement the design of the cans with various 3D objects (fruits, bubbles, leaves, glare of light, etc.) to immerse the user in an atmosphere of emotions from the product, as if changing the world around him and the sensations of the drink with the help of objects, materials and animation. I asked the client to tell as much as possible about how they see their product, how they would like to present it to the client and what emotions it should convey. Based on this, I prepared a presentation of my design of AR effects with a detailed description and visualization. The project was approved by the client the first time and almost no adjustments were made. I was glad to hit the mark with my understanding and convey the right emotions from the product by creating an AR effect.
– How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technology in the AR industry, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your work?
– To stay up to date with the latest trends in AR, I mainly use social networks. I follow leading creators, publics and communities. I try to complement each new AR effect with a new element, which corresponds to current trends in the industry
– Can you share any tips or tricks you’ve learned along the way that have helped you to create successful AR projects?
– One of my rules is to never stop learning something new. Each time set the goal a little higher, a little more difficult than the previous one. Try to master and apply new skills, both technical and creative, in each new effect. It is important for me that my work and self-realization remain a challenge for me, that the complexity doesn’t decrease and that I constantly learn something new. It seems obvious to learn something new in the technical part of effects, but the creative part also requires development and an increase in the level of observation. Therefore, it is very important to explore related/overlapping areas of creativity and industry.
– What do you enjoy most about being an AR creator, and how do you balance the technical aspects of AR creation with the creative side? What advice would you give to aspiring AR creators who are just starting out?
– It is the combination of the technical aspects of creating AR with the creative side that most inspires me to continue working in this direction. it satisfies my needs for creative expression, exploration of innovation, learning new skills, the ability to solve complex problems, follow new world trends and be inspired by the future. I would like to encourage aspiring AR creators to keep the ability to play, explore and experiment, be curious and not be afraid to make mistakes. Most often, it is from mistakes that something interesting and new is born! Be brave and express yourself, even if they feel like their AR effects aren’t quite perfect.
