Women in AR you should follow | March 2022

Hello my name is Alexis! I feel like my AR journey started quite long ago, when I used to sculpt little dragons out of clay as a child. That sort of spatial haptic activity led me to dive into 3D modeling way further down the line during university – where I studied a mix of frontend programming and digital production! By the end of my undergrad degree, I was taking grad classes in AR but didn’t see a career path for it at the time.

I played with Lens Studio when it was first made public and enjoyed it, but didn’t stick with it because I got swallowed by schoolwork haha. A few years after school I was invited to take part in the Spark AR beta, and I was hooked. I was working another job at the time but furiously worked on Effects during my lunch and coffee breaks. Now I work full time as an XR developer, and I couldn’t be happier (I mean I could, but things are pretty great and I am so thankful)!

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Be consistent! I wish I stuck with all of the paths I had started, but I love to jump around and try new things (and subsequently drop old things). Every medium is a muscle that needs exercising, you can skip to the complicated stuff but really nailing the fundamentals makes everything down the line a million times easier. I get overexcited and don’t always pay my fundamentals dues.

It’s also alright not to know everything, specialize in everything, and be a master of every program. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed but as long as you’re enjoying the work you produce that’s all that matters!

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

It’s exciting to be in a field that is changing so rapidly with every passing day, but also a little daunting! I want to make sure that as we shape new paths and processes that said paths are accessible and inclusive. Trying to dismantle any gatekeeping that may arise is rough, but sharing knowledge and taking the time to speak with others in the community, and answer the call for help when you receive it, is so so important. The more diverse an industry, the more awesome it’s byproducts, so there’s even more incentive if you need it haha.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Everyone amazes me every day, it’s so incredible how boundless people’s creativity is!! I look up to literally anyone who’s brave enough to open up a new program and dive into the unknown. If I had to pick a few names, I admire how Helena Dong and Ommy Akhe are furthering the future of fashion, how Beth Wickerson and Balraj Bains are expanding the boundless depths of programming, and how Mitsuko Ono and Paige Piskin are pushing the boundaries of character development and whimsy – but that’s not an exhaustive list just who comes to mind off of the top of my head!

Vitória Cribb @louquai

Hi! I’m Vitória from Brazil. My AR journey started a few years ago during an internship on an AR startup during the middle of my Industrial Design Bachelor Degree. Since then I’ve been experimenting with 3D and AR in different projects. I started to work professionally with AR in 2020 after doing a commissioned Lens Project for Spectacles 3 from Snap Inc. After that, in the beginning of 2021, I became an Official Lens Creator for Snap Lens Network and have been developing personal Lenses guided by the synergy between nature and technology and working with different clients from tech, fashion and entertainment industries.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

I definitely would say to don’t be so hard with myself and give space for my creativity to breathe, focus more on the development of a project instead of focus only on the aesthetic because most of the time I was trying so hard to find an aesthetic that I forgot about to experiment the new tools offered by the new medium (AR) – then I started to allow my creativity flow with the technology creating a safe space to experiment and develop new projects. With that I felt that I was able to push not only the limits of Augmented Reality in a beautiful way but my own technical limitations without being stuck in a single pattern of creation.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

The best part of being a woman in AR is helping to build an AR ecosystem that embraces other people that identify like me while I create new projects and push the limits of the AR technology. Being able to be a reference for other people and encouraging them to start in a tech/art career definitely compensates.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

I’m a huge fan of Clara Bacou, Damara Ingles, Sarah Mayer, Pradeepa Anandhi and Visualize.mee works

I am mostly involved in the creation of Augmented Reality virtual fashion, 3D art, and interactive installation art. In addition, I am a master’s student at the University of Edinburgh. I created my first AR filter in May 2020 and posted it to my Instagram account, so I’ve been creating AR filters for about two years.

Working in Augmented Reality production has radically transformed my life. First and foremost, designing AR helps me to maintain my creativity and vigor. Secondly, engaging in AR filter design has also brought me brand cooperation and benefits. Because of AR, I’ve met so many wonderful designers! All this everything delights me.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

I fell in love with myself in the Lens when I first started applying AR filters! At the same time, I think that AR technology miraculously unites virtual and actual worlds. As an interactive art researcher, I pay close attention to how people interact with AR. For example, I’ve tried drawing with my nose, switching between two different characters with hands, and so on. I hope that when people use AR, they have interesting and unexpected interactive experiences. As a result, Augmented Reality is also my method of exploring interactive communication.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

As a female AR practitioner, I am aware that most of the users of filters are women, so as a woman, I understand women’s pursuit of beauty, and beauty is diverse. The most proud part of being a female AR practitioner is that I can express beauty with an open mind. I embrace any kind of beauty, women have the right to express their own beauty in any way they want, and I want women to have fun and enjoy themselves with my filters.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Isabel from @locvs.solvs is definitely my role model. I was encouraged by her when I first started working on AR filters, which is very important to me. And Helena Dong, I love every filter she makes, and I’m also proud as an Asian female AR practitioner. If I ever get the chance to work with her, I will consider myself fortunate.

IMAGO
by Vitória Cribb

Cupid Love
by Anastassiya Marchenko

Fur Slides
by bLRAJ 🦄

Before getting into AR, I was figuring out where my place could be in the creative industry from working on shoots, writing articles and wanting to direct music videos. I loved playing with some of the first Effects on Instagram. They made it feel like a part of yourself could finally exist in a visible way and new ideas were being created. A friend told me that we could actually make these ourselves so thanks to them I downloaded Spark AR and started messing around. I didn’t know anything about AR, computer graphics or coding back then so it was about seeing what plugging parts into different input points would do. After getting bored of that, some very kind people pointed me in the right direction towards understanding more about AR and computer graphics. I also spent some time learning web development which allowed me to understand some basics for scripting needed for AR although I don’t think it’s necessary since the implementations are quite different. Learning basic JavaScript with visual outputs, like p5, I think is a faster route for AR. I started with shiny creations since it was exciting, then I began to push myself to experiment with different capabilities. Some of those have been texture distortions, world effects and still, exploration of the self. I did ask a lot of questions and faced a lot of frustrations but for some reason kept coming back to it. Now I can even earn an income thanks to this unexpected journey and feel honored to be part of Lenslist’s article for IWD!

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

That 3D is a big part of it? Aside from that it would be to not feel intimidated by fancy terms, explanations or being invisible. Sometimes you will attempt something completely new and expect to get it on the first or first few tries. At times all it takes is to step away for some time, sometimes even a few months, and come back to it. Also, if you have a question, ask it. Often the biggest block can be not asking, since unless you’re inventing something new, someone already knows and isn’t a big part of learning to ask and learn from and with others? The same goes for answering questions. Many times I would be too nervous of being wrong and wait for someone more respected to answer. Then I would find out my answer was also correct and be disappointed in my lack of confidence, so don’t copy me and instead try to help out others if you have an idea of how. At the same time, hold no idols. Don’t be afraid to show your own work, because no one else is going to do it for you and you have the right to exist. So what, it’s not a special unreleased capability, you’re not popular or you don’t fit traditional ideas of what is respectable, show your work, we need to see YOU. 🙂

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

The best part is that we have the opportunity to shape how we want our spaces to be. As daunting as it is, we play a part in how our work impacts other women and we can create to fit expectations of how things have been or we can introduce a new story. There is so much potential for new ideas, perspectives and implementations for women and gender minorities who haven’t been given the opportunity yet as with traditional industries if the wider industry makes sure needed actions are taken to support us. The best, best part? Having some of the best women from across the world be a part of this and just knowing how smart and capable we are.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

I think they would be anyone and everyone who is working towards making the world fairer, from people I know dearly and people I am yet to learn of, women who have changed the industry already and those who have not learned of AR yet. Technology and skills will keep impressing us, so it is important that minds evolve too, that’s real development and I cannot wait to create alongside world-changing women. Make yourselves known, I want to know you!

My name is Marah and I live in Vancouver, Canada. By day, I am the Director of AR/VR Partnerships at Genius Ventures Inc, and by night, I am an AR Creator. I come from a marketing background, so in 2019 when I was introduced to AR, naturally, I knew that this is the future of communications. I decided to learn how to create my own filters using Spark AR Studio in December 2020, and I created my first face filter within a few weeks, which ended up going viral and today has more than 3 million impressions. With 100% organic reach, this proved to me just how powerful AR is as a word-of-mouth marketing tool. I knew that if I wanted to pursue AR as a career and create robust experiences for brands, that I needed to learn how to project manage a team of developers and creatives. I enrolled in courses and Youtube tutorials to work with and understand the technologies involved in XR and how they all work together. This led to me building a team and network to create proof of concepts for Genius Ventures which told the story of the business value of AR. As the industry has grown in the past 2 years, we’ve ended up creating dozens of filters, Effects, Lenses and experiences for Fortune 500 brands.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Learning how to do the full-stack isn’t realistic and from personal experience, I do not recommend it when first starting out. It was overwhelming to learn Spark AR Studio, Blender, and Photoshop simultaneously. It isn’t well known, but a lot of the best creators will outsource portions of their projects to other Creators for things such as 3D models, templates, and patches, so don’t feel you need to do it all. In my experience, the best AR projects are the ones where multiple creative minds come together to create something truly magical.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

The best part about being a woman in the AR industry is that we are leading this female dominated industry. Women are excellent creative problem solvers and I think AR is the perfect medium for this. Another awesome part of being a woman in this industry is connecting with fellow females who are just as passionate and driven to help build this exciting new future together!

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Dr. Helen Papagiannis is a big inspiration for me, she has been an AR pioneer since 2005 and her book “Augmented Human” is a great guide for anyone who wants to learn how AR will change the way we live, work, and play. Outstanding female AR Creators who I’m always inspired by include Wondermilk and Mariia Silich. Wondermilk designs beautiful otherworldly face filters and Mariia Silich creates very realistic 3D models and animations – make sure to check them out!

Art & Flowers
by florenciaraffa1980

REM
by ohfallet

Galactic Goddess
by Augmented Marah

I’ve been passionate about drawing since childhood, but I didn’t turn it into a profession until 3 years ago, when I got into AR and started creating projects on Instagram. Thanks to filters I realized that I could use my skills in drawing and 3d modeling, and now it is my main activity, which I am especially proud of, because I found a profession that I really like.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

When I started, I tried myself in different directions: AR games, randomizers, beauty filters, filters with 3d models, animation. I think that was the best way of finding myself at that moment, you need to try everything to cross out what you need and take what you are missing from another field. At this point I would like to go deeper into the script.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

I don’t see any limits in this field for anyone, Augmented Reality gives freedom for self-expression, and that’s great!

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

I really like the work of @augmentedmarah >Visualize.mee, Sasha Soul Art, Helena Bahdzel, Pradeepa Anandhi, WonderMilk .Studio, Katrin Whynot, Kyo_p, and many others. You can learn something from each of these Creators, they are real hard workers. I might add here that women in AR have really changed the perception of filters and popularized them quite easily and quickly, which is not insignificant in any field.

I’m Nicoletta Radice, an Italian/Dutch AR Developer living in The Netherlands. My first experience with Spark AR was back in 2019, back when I was still studying. One day I somehow ended up on the Spark AR download page, I immediately jumped onto the AR train and started making filters for fun. I really loved the fact that people could use my creations and everytime it was wholesome to see people all around the world trying out my filters. Back then I never thought I would end up doing this as a full time job.

Fast forward a couple of months, I graduated in Graphic Design during the pandemic and since not even a year I have been working full time at Capitola. Social on filters for big brands both Dutch and International. I really feel at home in the AR environment because I can still use my Graphic Design skills and combine them with my passion for technology and coding, and at the same time I can be creative and show off my quirkiness.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Advice I would give myself when I was just starting with AR and a piece of advice I would like to give to anyone starting this AR journey is that it’s okay to fail, and to be bad at something at first when you first do it but that’s not a reason to stop, just keep on practicing and keep on failing, then one day you’ll realize how much you have grown and you will realize that you are able to do things you didn’t know you were able to. Also step out of your comfort zone, try something you did not try yet and don’t be afraid to ask for help – there’s an amazing community of AR Developers worldwide ready to answer any question you have!

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

The best part of being a woman in the AR industry is encouraging more women to join!

I think the AR industry is a very rich, diverse and beautiful Community and we learn from each other and help each other to get better. Everyone is on their own learning path and it is amazing to see everyone learn. Furthermore, as a woman, you bring a different perspective in the industry to the field and most importantly, we all grow together.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Seeing other women in the Community doing amazing work encouraged me to further expand and practise my skills. Some of my favorite filters are made by Alexis Zerafa. I love the vivid colors in her filters and the dreamy atmosphere that always captures me. Another Creator who has outstanding filters is Bảo My, each one of her filters is amazingly immersive. That’s only to mention a few, of course, I am literally a fan of everyone in this Community, everyone is doing amazing work and contributing to the Community with their own style and perspective.

My name is Okuhle Fallet. I am originally from South Africa and currently reside in Brunei. I graduated from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal with an LLB. I have always been a curious and creative character.

A few months ago, I made my first filter and I’ve been down the AR rabbit-hole since! I love the idea of being able to create fun and outlandish virtual experiences (as an escape from what I perceive to be mundane corporate existence).

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Oh man, I cringe when I look at some of the work I did when I first started! One of the things I wish I had known is that it is okay to ask for help. I struggled a lot only on trying to navigate different software, techniques and workflows until I stumbled on the wonderful Community groups.

People are a lot friendlier than I thought and they are always willing to lend a helping hand and offer valuable critique necessary for your own personal and professional growth.

With that being said, I also spent too much time trying to learn as much as I could in a short space of time. Looking back, experience through trial (and many errors) is how I learnt and grew the most.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

I LOOOOVE the fact that women are at the forefront of AR and endless possibilities! I am constantly in awe and admiration of the fact that women like you and me are at the helm of creativity in this field. I love the fact that we can tell our stories unfiltered (excuse the pun) through our works and that we help connect the world with those stories/experiences in a fun, immersive way.

I am confident and bold as an AR artist because of this. I really love this Community!

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

@paigepiskin is my role model – her filters are what drew me into the world of AR and her success is truly inspiring.

@daughterofbell is another Creator I look up to, especially that we are both from South Africa and I think her work is amazing!

@wondermilk.studio has some of the best make-up Effects I have ever seen.

I admire these women and I would love to have the opportunity to learn from and work with them someday!

I started editing futuristic Effects and animations onto my outfits, and my fascinations in art have usually included a draw towards futurism. I love concepts that are slightly unreal or feel inter-dimensional. Since then, I discovered amazing AR software that could help bring these concepts to life even more.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Even the ideas that you have as a creative that don’t seem premium or aren’t totally polished can resonate with people. People want to find content and Creators, and people who like your style will find you and support your art if you consistently put it into the world for them to see.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

I love connecting with other Creators and feeling the excitement of seeing others thrive and innovate in their own styles. There is so much space for the voices of women in AR, tech, and the whole future that it’s always beautiful to see women bring their visions to life in AR and take up space in the space. I see so much support from everyone towards Creators who are women, and immense support from other women when the tech world can be misogynistic. Earlier this year I wasn’t credited by a huge all-male run publication when they posted my video. Immediately, a lot of women in the AR community stepped up to ask them to credit me, and it worked. I was so moved by the Community support.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Paige Piskin’s filters, as we all do! I also learned about the AR nail work of Metaverse Nails and how they innovated into AR fashion way before it was widespread. I think women who are AR Creators, big and small, are totally killing it now, and we are committed to having our voices heard in the future of AR.

Metallic Bodied Robo
by cyb_arbara

pocket polaris
by alexiszerafa

Queen of the night
by jnnyyoo

Hello, I am Barbara Barliani, AR creator from Georgia 🇬🇪 I graduated philosophy at university. I have been politically active until my motorbike accident in 2018, it was a difficult period after all of this. I sat at home and started trying AR IG filters. I have contacted AR Creators, and have found so many excellent and amazing Creators around the world. I have never expected that one day I would also be an AR Creator, today I create filters for Instagram and Snapchat. Can you believe it? 😁

I stand for the Ukrainian people and support them – Glory To Ukraine!

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

I would advise myself that everything is fine, you have just to practice more, be confident and do not hesitate to ask questions about things you don’t get. Just watch tutorials and lessons on Youtube, you can do it. I wish I knew JS, it would make my job easier.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

The best part of being a woman in the industry is that you can show anti-phallogocentric content, show more gender-neutral or feminine discourse and meet amazing women (online) + non-binary people, who make the world a better, equal and peaceful place. Cultural diversity – it means, you meet women from different worlds and cultures, we are trying to respect, support and know each other’s necessities. For example I tried the Indian Goddess filter and my friend from India asked me not to use that one, cause it seemed a bit culturally inappropriate, especially when it was made by a white woman.I’d say that diversity is the best part of being a woman in the industry.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Beth Wickerson, Balraj Bains, Caroline Rocha, Iren Kolovska, Ines Alpha really would be my female role models, they are really outstanding, for example me and Iren have the same political / historical experience and its always easy to talk with her and find so many similarities about how we see world.

Beth is a woman who makes me feel like I want to study and never quit. I wish I knew as much as she does. The most surprising thing was finding out that both Beth and I love (some) same female artists, musicians, poets and it feels magical to find a person which is linked with your taste and political views. I learn so much from Beth.

Balraj is an amazing woman and I also learn a lot from her, the same delighted and smart person, with so much talent and knowledge. Also connected with so many interests. She’s a brilliant artist and friend.

Caroline Rocha is a huge role model, cause when I couldn’t move and felt ill, she supported me and encouraged me to create AR. I discovered her IG page in 2018, she was trying all of the new filters from the Community, she was the source/media of all the best AR filters and has been always supportive to the Community, I would say that she helped and made so many Creators actual and famous, cause she has been using her account to help people. She has made so many important filters with so many important contexts and messages.

Long story short, these are women who I relate myself with and I will always be thankful and amazed for what they do for me and the whole industry of AR.

Sun☀️Moon🌙 Star✨
by rehighstudio

inside
by valeri_rodari

trapped in metaverse
by nikiradice

Hello everyone, my name is Valeri Rodari, but for my friends, I’m just a Lera. I am from Belarus, but for the last 7 years I have been living in Poland. Here I met Augmented Reality one and a half years ago. For a long time I had been trading in the stock market and I was a trader, but I missed art in my life. By chance I found that Instagram filters can be created by everyone. Everyone has access to this opportunity. And I decided to try it. I was scared to start, because all I knew how to do with my laptop was watch movies and trade. But I wasn’t afraid to TRY IT. And then I fell in love with it. For a long time I have been standing in one place, I was alone and made just Beauty filters. But… one day I learned about the Cyberpunk 2077 competition, about Lenslist and about Spark AR Community on Facebook. And that was my breakthrough! I started to learn more and more, get high places in competition, get a lot of orders from customers and more friends from the Community. I started learning 3D modeling and it became my second love. Then I passed a course from Spark AR and now I am getting ready for the exam. Now I don’t want to stop, but only go forward.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

I didn’t have more knowledge about this, I didn’t know where I could find the information. When I started, on YouTube I found only A few videos and some information about Spark AR. I would advise myself at the beginning of this way: don’t be shy and write to people. Meet new people, communicate with other Creators. It helps to develop. I am a loner. It was too difficult for me to start talking with people or asking a question. But all this helps so much. Never be afraid, we don’t bite.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

Womens’ beauty and kindness in our world! And even Augmented Reality needs us to bring beauty, tenderness and inspiration. Earlier I was thinking that only men work in such areas, but it wasn’t true. There are a lot of us, women. And by the way, being a girl in the AR industry is very nice, a lot of compliments from other Creators about what we do.

My friends from other spheres think: I’m a hacker when they see a patch editor with a lot of patches ha-ha. It’s a very nice show to people: girls can do everything they want to.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

I admire many girls in the AR industry. And also some girls took my heart with their works. I would like to show you my favorite:
💜@paigepiskin
💜@locvs.solvs
💜@digital_daisy_

I have always been curious about AR, I used to work (freelance work) in 2015 with a company that made apps for android and iOs, making the UI of the apps and there had a lot of AR apps, mostly with target tracking, I remember one time that a t-shirt enterprise asks for an app with AR in their t-shirts and I make the animations, I remember that this was my first approach and I loved it, so in this time I use to have an artworks hobby named ArtePad, and I tried to make something similar, so I made notebooks and agendas with my art and with a free app I put a video of the illustration….it was cool!! Then, I read an interview with Tokitto…I don’t know if was in 2018 or 2019….so at this time I was working and didn’t have a lot of time….but I was really interested in Instagram filters…I used to use Snapchat filters but in Argentina, I didn’t have a lot of friends there, so I remember taking the photos on Snapchat and published in IG. But when I saw the filters in IG I was curious about how this is made….and when the pandemic started at the same time I got breast cancer so I had to stop working and for me was the best because I could focus on Spark AR!

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

When I started, I thought that we had to be a super genius like I always saw complex filters and I always thought that they had a lot of programming or 3d, so I always imagined characters or impressions of real people or lights simulations, and I remember though that I felt that it was impossible with my knowledge, but, I’m super curious so I always found a way to made, so now I know the only obstacles are in my mind….the only message to myself is don’t afraid of the unknown, with my knowledge I can resolve any idea that I have, and if not we have a Community with a lot of kind people that always helps!

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

I feel that everyone has something, woman, man, non-binary, etc….everyone has something unique, every person, like a woman that I am, the only thing is I can be whatever I want, I have more empathetic with funny Effects, like using beards haha and also the magic effects, and I feel like my feminine touch here is more with fantastic characters or Art in the filters. But, I confess that I always make people laugh, so I love to be a woman and transform to man, and transform to an Elf, and transform in old, and in every character that I created…and characters that other Creators make…

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

We have a lot of strong women! Ommy, Lianne, Paige, Caroline, Tanky, Bianca, Wondermilk, Elya, Nahir, and a lotttt more ….I love everyone has something unique! Something that they have and makes a unique woman! I love the idea to make a future AR Art Gallery with these incredible women!! We are the future of art, not only the woman, the AR Community…. and obviously a lot of wonderful Creators like Naveen, Ross, Denis, Bastien, Filippo, Masketing, Eddy, Josh, Luke, Noland, Tomas and moreee!!!

First of all, I’m a self-taught designer. I started from web design because at that time I worked as a system analyst and wanted to improve the interface of company software and I thought «yes, I can do this just need to learn something». And it was a game-changing decision in my professional life. After a while, I also began to take some work as a graphic designer. So the next step was digging deeper in one direction, so I decided to choose and concentrate on one. I chose UX/UI design, I felt that it is much closer to me. Then during my UX/UI design journey, I learned a ton of information, new trends, new software, and then I ran into an AR app. First was Spark AR. I couldn’t help myself to create something. So my AR journey began. Then I added to my fav list of AR apps Adobe Aero, Lens Studio, Effect House and Reality Composer. Now it’s kind of a hobby, but I’m working on combining my UX/UI career with AR, and I’m close to it. All dreams come true.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

Create more and be more confident 🙂 When I created my very first AR filter I didn’t publish it although it was quite cute, as I think now and second and third ones. At that time I had a funny feeling I should post only really complex and professional filters. I limited myself from actively practicing and learning AR. At first, glance creating AR looks so difficult and hard to begin, but in fact, we have everything to jump into the exciting AR world: free tutorials on AR apps websites, YouTube, Instagram, and other resources. And you just need to start. It is definitely worth it.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

Feeling that you can create really incredible things: sci-fi or fantasy look/outfit from your favorite movies or cartoons, any ideas can be brought to «life». And you needn’t have a master’s degree in computer science to do it, you can combine different hobbies. And the AR community is fantastic. There are women AR(XR) Communities, where you can ask, share and learn. Moreover, AR can be used not only for fun but for solving people’s problems.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

Honestly, I cannot select one, two, or even three women who can be role models for me, because when I begin to get to know their works, their path and how they transitioned in AR, it is always so unique and so interesting. Each woman has their story. So I think I or others also should create my own story. But I can mention some of the AR filter Creators whom I admire because of their talent, their own style of effects, and how incredible their works/Effects are:

Dunaway Smith (@dunawaysmith)

Paige Piskin (@paigepiskin)

NEO beauty (@wondermilk.studio)

I’m a digital artist based in Los Angeles. I create social AR experiences on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Tiktok, and run a studio practice called Cue that collaborates with visual artists and brands. Before this, I worked at LINE and Snapchat creating stickers and filters for chat and camera, so it was a natural step for me to explore AR as a medium for art, utility, and community.

What advice or tips would you give yourself when you were just starting out with AR? What do you wish you’d known?

When starting out, I think it’s important to get involved in the community and make friends with other creators because you learn so much from each other. I noticed more opportunities come to those who contribute and stay visibly active in the community.

It can feel overwhelming trying to keep up with learning everything. I recommend finding a niche and learning the tools that help you explore it. You can pick up skills as you go, and you don’t need to learn everything all at once. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What would you say is the best part of being a woman in the AR industry?

It’s cool to be in an industry where women are in positions to innovate and build experiences from our perspective. The AR space has a strong female creator community, and I’m actually seeing a huge range and diversity of AR filters being made. I hope to see more women in new emerging spaces, and building cool stuff for each other.

Can you think of any female role models or outstanding AR Creators who you’d like to work with in the future or follow in their steps?

I appreciate when a creator has a distinct aesthetic, and can master one thing really well and carve out a focus for their AR practice. I love Ines Alpha’s 3D makeup, especially their use of audio which is an underused creative tool. Another amazing creator is Eomzie who explores future eyewear/headgear.

2LOVE
by jt.lliu

Synesthesia Animated
by piper.kj

Thank you all so much for your time, your stories and your UNMEASURABLE support for each other and the whole AR Community! ❤️ There is nothing we love more than hearing such heartwarming interviews, let’s keep creating and embracing female power! 💪