Making AR Magic

Leighton McDonald: I am a concept designer and a spatial interaction designer. I work with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to communicate ideas. Lately, I’ve been creating filters for companies and artists. I’ve created about 63 filters so far. I was trying to make at least one a week last year, when the pandemic happened. Everybody was home, so I figured I might as well show them my art in 3-D and give them something to play with.

LM: When I was in college for industrial design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I did an AR project for a construction company. I made it so that digging machines could use ultrasonic waves to scan the ground for pipes. That data would display on the machines’ windshields so workers could see the pipes and avoid them. Years later, I was inspired by contemporary artists, like KAWS, to make sculptures. I thought, “How do I get people to see my stuff?” So I put one of my sculptures in AR and published it on Snapchat.

LM: I always try to think about the future and what digital fashion will look like. It’s not limited by physical things. For example, sunglasses you don’t have to put on your ears because they just float in front of your face. I enjoy playing with different shapes in that way. It makes a futuristic look when you don’t have to worry about manufacturing. I also pay attention to pop and hip-hop culture. I’ll see something cool, like a meme, and I’ll try to make it a filter so people can be the meme.