Creator Spotlight: Chung CY
Creator from 🇸🇬 Singapore
Hi, Chung! Please, tell us something about yourself.
I have been working in the design industry for more than 20 years, starting out initially with metal etching design. After completing my degree in graphic design, I joined one of the leading design agencies in Singapore and gained in-depth experience in a wide spectrum of graphic design and branding projects during my 15 years there. I was given the opportunity to work with major clients from the public and private sector across various sectors and the exposure I had led to the creation of some award-winning projects. My projects have been accorded awards by the design industry internationally, such as Hong Kong Designers Association’s (HKDA) Asia Pacific Design, International Design Review, Annual International Design Competition by HOW Magazine and Communication Arts Design Annual.
Subsequently, I moved on to join one of the internationally renowned architecture firms where I took on branding projects for commercial and residential properties. My current role is creative manager of an out-of-home (OOH) advertising company in Singapore.
Creating AR is my newfound hobby since July 2019. I chanced upon the works of Eugene Soh from dude.sg and was inspired to explore the field of AR. I remember when I met Eugene for the first time, we had a really enjoyable discussion about the projects that we each had fun creating as well as about the upcoming trends in AR.
I feel that AR is a very powerful tool that allows me to bring my imagination to life. My training in fine arts and graphic design has certainly influenced my design style when it comes to creating AR effects and moving forward, I will be exploring integration of AR and VR to create 3D effects.
How many effects have you created so far and for which platforms?
I have created 26 AR effects since I started and all of them are available on Instagram.
Name the best three effects you created and briefly describe them.
GOLD Bird Mask
The GOLD Bird Mask which was featured on Instagram under the Sci-Fi and fantasy category, is by far my favourite filter. I was inspired by images of beautiful birds and it led me to design this filter of a 3D bird which looks like it is flying. The structure of the bird was created section by section and it was challenging to combine all the components together. In reality, there is no way you can have this real gold bird mask to wear, but in the world of AR, you can do anything.
Silver Wave
This unique filter makes use of the audio analyser feature that Spark AR provided. To go with the theme, I have designed the filter to look like a mask with oversized silver headset. The glowing ball connected to the top of the mask pulsates with the music, like an equaliser. The waves of silver ripples across the face mask pick up the texture from the surrounding environment and further enhances the ever-changing visual element, adding extra character to this filter.
PRISMA Mask
The PRISMA Mask is the most popular filter so far among my creations. Inspired by prisms, the mask looks like one made of crystals and the user’s surrounding items are converted into colourful outlines. I wanted to perfect the reflection of colours on the mask and hence spent quite a bit of time to work on it until I achieve the desired results that you are seeing now.
Which platform for creating AR filters is your favourite and why?
My favourite tool for creating AR filters is using Spark AR. The platform is free.
What in your opinion makes an AR effect successful?
I would consider an AR effect successful when there are many people using it and they find enjoyment playing around with the effect. We definitely need alternative outlets for self-expression and to relieve stress, especially during such challenging times with the on-going pandemic.