Ghost Catch is a prototype for a multiplayer game made for Snap’s Augmented Reality glasses, [Spectacles](https://www.spectacles.com). Made at the 2024 London Spectacles Hackathon, it’s a playful experience designed to get you moving with friends.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fecd1b750-c914-4cc5-8a58-dae0a111e27d.jpg?alt=media&token=fd122191-0a41-41f7-a2f9-cac7bd63843a","id":"ecd1b750-c914-4cc5-8a58-dae0a111e27d","width":1920,"height":1440,"filename":"Ruby POV.00_00_23_18.Still002.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**The Brief**

To build an experience for Spectacles using newly released features—such as Snap’s Sync Framework, which enables multiple people to play together in true AR.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2F51c46665-e144-4bc3-b88b-2e831cd47dee.jpg?alt=media&token=a08d9789-606b-47d5-9281-668e5a262d6e","id":"51c46665-e144-4bc3-b88b-2e831cd47dee","width":3024,"height":3024,"filename":"IMG_9454.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Box-fresh Specs","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Ffb38a7f4-26e9-444e-90ec-495f678ff4bb.jpg?alt=media&token=0cd16ef8-fa08-4ac5-a985-918756786a61","id":"fb38a7f4-26e9-444e-90ec-495f678ff4bb","width":656,"height":656,"filename":"LensPreviewImage.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"An interaction mockup for Ghost Catch. The ghost model—inspired by the Snap ghost—was made using GenAI in Lens Studio.","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2F1d712855-9760-4687-9df6-593aec8ca3f6.mov?alt=media&token=106edfd8-4ab0-479e-b735-d7454b0b0911","id":"1d712855-9760-4687-9df6-593aec8ca3f6","width":1138,"height":1138,"filename":"IMG_9561.MOV","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"Making quick 3D logotype in Womp","border":false}]}
```

**A Team of 3**

Meeting for the first time on the day of the hackathon, our team brought together a combined skillset in game design, creative direction, and software development.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fa248c82c-ff71-42f0-8edf-04a389d1ca99.jpg?alt=media&token=671facb4-8a79-4b3f-a9f7-e5754a6b33f3","id":"a248c82c-ff71-42f0-8edf-04a389d1ca99","width":3024,"height":3024,"filename":"IMG_9437.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Considerations for making great experiences on Spectacles","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fa06021ee-bd06-4905-bafc-e09532871047.jpg?alt=media&token=0eb5b64f-e5a1-4fa0-b2d5-2bb9e9712f5d","id":"a06021ee-bd06-4905-bafc-e09532871047","width":3024,"height":3024,"filename":"IMG_9515.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Developer briefing in London's Snap office","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2F8daa943c-9342-4723-9609-811b68a1d3e9.jpg?alt=media&token=0c835fe3-3e77-483a-93fa-e58a156a1b0c","id":"8daa943c-9342-4723-9609-811b68a1d3e9","width":2301,"height":2301,"filename":"IMG_9592.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Orlando Mathias, Ikram Hakim, Ruby Bell","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fb94bfefb-78ec-432a-aff1-8955252dcf16.jpg?alt=media&token=6c33906f-24ed-4979-812d-02e7264e11c4","id":"b94bfefb-78ec-432a-aff1-8955252dcf16","width":4032,"height":3024,"filename":"IMG_9543.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Our team working in Lens Studio","border":false}]}
```

**Our Approach**

The Spectacles afford movement in a space with friends. Our bodies are free to search, run, find, and reach for things. We developed a simple mechanic using Snap’s Connected Spectacles template to explore this.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2F26aa0703-9125-4f83-8f79-f525feff127f.png?alt=media&token=5e398bb5-08ee-43a6-9b5d-7ee8d9591ef5","id":"26aa0703-9125-4f83-8f79-f525feff127f","width":1920,"height":1440,"filename":"Ruby POV.00_00_18_22.Still004.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**The Game**

Your goal is to catch a cheeky ghost before your opponent spots it. Once the ghost is caught, it respawns in a random location. The player with the most amount of ‘catches’ before the timer ends, wins.

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/1039217180","width":426,"height":160,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1961554361-7574090813d27ec5758c5d5a79cff87cb89ebf0348344a527e6aada606d2a473-d_295x166"}
```

**Results** 

Our team won second place at the Hackathon, in recognition of the project’s game mechanics and polish within the time frame. However, I am personally most proud of getting the Snap Spectacles team to laugh and break a sweat during our first demos.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fee1e8a5d-9ae4-4eed-ad56-6f5dcf6d831f.mov?alt=media&token=868a0913-2aa7-447e-9ff7-487c999c2400","id":"ee1e8a5d-9ae4-4eed-ad56-6f5dcf6d831f","width":1440,"height":1920,"filename":"IMG_9575.MOV","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"Summer Wu and Joe Darko playing Ghost Catch","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2F4f41dc26-5a3f-43f2-8c2e-5c7e31c45aec.mov?alt=media&token=4d5f5458-f288-46d8-8c80-182603a62178","id":"4f41dc26-5a3f-43f2-8c2e-5c7e31c45aec","width":2160,"height":2700,"filename":"IMG_4916.MOV","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F4YcXUAwNuK9agH3PDVvW%2Fac147771-d975-4e5b-ac99-b7fc304eb62d.mov?alt=media&token=8bfb2fb3-2f89-4cf0-ae00-a23361c73efe","id":"ac147771-d975-4e5b-ac99-b7fc304eb62d","width":2160,"height":2700,"filename":"IMG_4917.MOV","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

---

**Project Duration** 24 hours 

**Collaborators** Orlando Mathias, Ikram Hakim

**When** 13th-14th December 2024

**Recognition** Second Place, $3000 cash prize

**Links** Watch our [demo video here,](https://vimeo.com/rubybell/ghostcatch) watch a [highlight reel here](https://www.instagram.com/p/DDpSMgPiHBh/).

Ghost Catch | Snap Spectacles Prototype

**Wirex** is a digital payment platform with a mission of simplifying the world of crypto and fiat currencies, and making decentralised finance accessible to everyone. During my time at GRAFT, I directed and edited Wirex’s 2022 digital advertising campaign, ‘Step Inside.’

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/774275121","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1553571438-69ab9bb2a7ed2d0262da0597c630f760e2f2e125ec29c1d6f954012aeb6825d7-d_295x166"}
```

**The Brief** was to bring Wirex’s visual identity into the metaverse, whilst also using only stock footage and motion graphics due to shoot restrictions during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F47151d06-7159-41a7-9930-bbc7fe20edb5.jpg?alt=media&token=0261c0c4-9886-469c-ab17-de290f3f7d96","id":"47151d06-7159-41a7-9930-bbc7fe20edb5","width":573,"height":460,"filename":"ProductExplainers_WirexApp_16x9_30_V02.mp4.00_00_11_08.Still001.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2Fb3217b94-1e26-43ff-bdb6-ef2e16d444db.jpg?alt=media&token=c22a47ae-7d3e-4a89-bb75-ae26dc13aa0a","id":"b3217b94-1e26-43ff-bdb6-ef2e16d444db","width":574,"height":460,"filename":"ProductExplainers_Cryptoback_16x9_30_V01.mp4.00_00_12_20.Still002.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F3bfbad3f-a539-48c8-86f1-8c8e36572de3.jpg?alt=media&token=19b6ec9c-5034-4516-8c98-bb802e5ae450","id":"3bfbad3f-a539-48c8-86f1-8c8e36572de3","width":573,"height":460,"filename":"ProductExplainers_Cryptoback_16x9_30_V01.mp4.00_00_20_12.Still003.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F7f88d459-31f9-4bfe-9a22-e1bc1664efc1.jpg?alt=media&token=f2ab752d-5758-4b99-906a-06b405e7fd48","id":"7f88d459-31f9-4bfe-9a22-e1bc1664efc1","width":574,"height":460,"filename":"ProductExplainers_WirexEcosystem_16x9_30_V01.mp4.00_00_15_20.Still001.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**Approach** We arrived at using a mix of 2D and 3D motion graphics, combined with stock footage and product shots from previous Wirex shoots to create a new campaign that felt completely fresh yet still true to brand.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2Fdc169266-9d1b-420d-b082-07083d7f49fe.png?alt=media&token=f5d92630-af0e-4a6c-8463-4b0db08a9a5b","id":"dc169266-9d1b-420d-b082-07083d7f49fe","width":1187,"height":959,"filename":"Wirex OTA 2 GLOBAL 30 16x9 - V03.mp4.00_00_10_17.Still001 1.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**Over 250 Assets** From creative concept to delivery, we supported Wirex with a core campaign: a 15 and 30 second spot that was adapted across 3 different aspect rations, for 13 different partners, and localised for 4 different economic regions—including a launch in the US market for the first time.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F107d6eb1-a0d9-42a2-b678-8378a1cb19ad.png?alt=media&token=c7a3b622-00e7-4f5f-b740-bd371760404a","id":"107d6eb1-a0d9-42a2-b678-8378a1cb19ad","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"English.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F7533a92e-7b5a-47dd-81fc-19d637de2b01.png?alt=media&token=cc16a3a1-f413-47b0-bd8e-374d04c0987d","id":"7533a92e-7b5a-47dd-81fc-19d637de2b01","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"ES.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2F9I0XIpmEShzD7yKO3XTK%2F0eb7c76d-81ff-4eda-9c23-086087085731.png?alt=media&token=714b28db-3e9e-4210-b01c-2f75c8144b09","id":"0eb7c76d-81ff-4eda-9c23-086087085731","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"FR.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

---

**Client** Wirex

**Studio** GRAFT

**Collaborators** Doug Choi, Shane O'Doherty, Tash Leviton

**When** May–July 2022

Wirex | Digital Advertising Campaign

*Avo* is the story of an avocado, brought to life by a brilliant young inventor, Billie. The experience sits somewhere between games and television – an interactive journey where you play as a 3D-scanned avocado in live-action world.

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/805164387/a683937a19","width":240,"height":344,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1625733741-bde86169bce3b78a3f035ebaf24e922bc0b850e459e4c7797d547242d27d46f8-d_200x150"}
```

I was a creative on the team at Playdeo that made and released *Avo* in 2019 on the App Store – described by Apple as “Groundbreaking ‘playable TV".

Dan Hill wrote a great series of articles on Medium called, *[Avo, Bandersnatch, and The New Grammar of Television (and Games).](https://medium.com/a-chair-in-a-room/avo-bandersnatch-and-the-new-grammar-of-television-and-games-part-3-interacting-with-4e1197ecaa20)* 

We also created a film about how *Avo* was made, exploring the making and thinking (and of course love!) that went into what we made.

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/772093779","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1551398164-3df8170a6713936b26c34b23bfc74d3f0973202f75b926aeb4f95be4065ef0b4-d_295x166"}
```

**Playdeo Team**

Nick Ludlam, Ruby Bell, Geraldo Nascimento, Jonathan Topf, Peter Martingell, Jamie Swanson, David Evans, Jack Schulze, Timo Arnall, Sophie Knowles. Music by Graham Hadfield.

Avo | Playdeo

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/1031687247/f29c340f5b","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1952473570-4b8f18f4a8f29639fdc0d32a3ac6a9cc50f3697650f1f452e5a51ba594e95564-d_295x166"}
```

How can we support children and young people to develop emotional literacy through narrative design and play?

*Moody Monsters* is a project directed by myself and [Riya Mahajan](https://www.riyamahajan.work), that’s all about the ways in which children and young people experience and conceptualise emotions.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F5722ff80-8ac4-4796-978b-26c0af5b9b79.jpg?alt=media&token=f68657cc-1abe-46cf-b9cf-f2973da984cb","id":"5722ff80-8ac4-4796-978b-26c0af5b9b79","width":768,"height":576,"filename":"AA1sUTpR.img.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Moody Monsters at FRAMELESS","border":false}]}
```

We developed a series of co-design workshops, an interactive experience, and an immersive exhibition – now being exhibited at FRAMELESS in London.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F670f0a46-a8b0-46dd-8d2b-2d97bee26524.mp4?alt=media&token=d35a0b81-915b-40dd-bbed-9bfeb77039f5","id":"670f0a46-a8b0-46dd-8d2b-2d97bee26524","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"FramelessDocumentation_10s 16-9 Website Edit_1.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Moody Monsters at FRAMELESS","border":false}]}
```

**Workshops** \
We developed a co-design workshop framework where young participants are supported to make their own characters based on emotions, and taught to 3D scan their creations with [Polycam.](https://poly.cam/)

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F3cb141dc-050f-4c58-91e4-010095f774d0.jpg?alt=media&token=ceaec856-e165-45aa-b0d2-46366addbab9","id":"3cb141dc-050f-4c58-91e4-010095f774d0","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"KAAWorkshop_1.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Co-design workshop with Kensington Aldridge Academy, 26th June 2024","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2Fe8d5942a-67fb-45a1-a933-b688ca42d72c.jpg?alt=media&token=2a00f72d-a36a-4cb6-91d2-daffe798eadd","id":"e8d5942a-67fb-45a1-a933-b688ca42d72c","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"KAAWorkshop_2.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Creative prompts: 'Reflect on a time when you felt really motivated and focused on a goal. How did it make you feel to work towards it?'","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F3cf35926-bc19-431f-bc3e-bd7dec71438c.jpg?alt=media&token=225eb9a7-0081-4f4d-8c93-4ac7246b940e","id":"3cf35926-bc19-431f-bc3e-bd7dec71438c","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"KAAWorkshop_3.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"3D Scanning booth","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F0827e102-56a5-44f8-b70c-b4d265981740.jpg?alt=media&token=05446640-1b79-4116-ac19-695d783c9fcd","id":"0827e102-56a5-44f8-b70c-b4d265981740","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"KAAWorkshop_4.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Participant work","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F4f264474-d2ad-45f3-9d99-064ff786a481.jpg?alt=media&token=1fd337c8-f1b0-44b5-8a6d-f4d9d07198ea","id":"4f264474-d2ad-45f3-9d99-064ff786a481","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"KAAWorkshop_5.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Young participant 3D scanning with Polycam","border":false}]}
```

We initially ran a test workshop with our RCA peers before running the session with young people. Running the session with adults is always going to be different to running it with children, but it was a good way for us to quickly test and iterate on the content of the workshop.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F35d17dca-a116-4cf8-8fb6-7030cade7999.mp4?alt=media&token=4daca4a1-d9cc-4ada-a648-b2ea07be1c21","id":"35d17dca-a116-4cf8-8fb6-7030cade7999","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"RCA Test Workshop.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Our test workshop with RCA participants, 7th June 2024","border":false}]}
```

In June 2024, we hosted our first workshop for young people with a group of 9 students from Kensington Aldridge Academy – a school local to the RCA White City campus. They joined us at the RCA for a 2 hour workshop, and they each made contributions to the project through their characters and ideas for how the world should be designed.

Each character was then scanned in our 3D scanning booth, to be placed in what we’re calling a ‘digital sculpture garden’. This is a surreal space, inhabited by the monsters made by our young participants.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F6b82f5a2-c035-4f15-8315-bb394e2f387e.png?alt=media&token=b0ee9e18-af6c-4a63-a3e9-58f761f438d8","id":"6b82f5a2-c035-4f15-8315-bb394e2f387e","width":3840,"height":2160,"filename":"Moody Monsters 16-9_11.png","type":"image/png","caption":"A Moody Monster in our digital sculpture garden","border":false}]}
```

**Activity Booklet**

One of my favourite parts about the project was the activity booklet we made to accompany the session – where young participants could respond to questions like, *‘What is your monster good at?’*, *‘What does your monster need help with?’*, and *‘What world do you imagine your monster would live in?’* We had some really lovely, earnest responses.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F6157049a-8381-4107-97dd-4e8b84f9e47b.jpg?alt=media&token=7964fea7-6933-4004-a3a4-88a226c0c474","id":"6157049a-8381-4107-97dd-4e8b84f9e47b","width":3024,"height":4032,"filename":"IMG_6435.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Workshop activity booklet","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F1f7e2508-cc61-4c0f-a7c8-15728cc1e2a7.mp4?alt=media&token=997248de-f5bd-4b4d-b833-c6526ffa18be","id":"1f7e2508-cc61-4c0f-a7c8-15728cc1e2a7","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"Booklet.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Late nights in the RCA cutting room!","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F8d5d752b-ac9e-4772-a6e8-30f4d0867134.jpg?alt=media&token=0b2041be-f00d-4b4b-8af0-aa9aaa94c729","id":"8d5d752b-ac9e-4772-a6e8-30f4d0867134","width":4500,"height":3000,"filename":"BookletMockup_01.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F78682d1e-2e0a-43bb-8a10-d070ae4246d8.jpg?alt=media&token=eac23ee7-9b57-4b8b-9ed3-ddafd0b71285","id":"78682d1e-2e0a-43bb-8a10-d070ae4246d8","width":3024,"height":4032,"filename":"BookletWIP.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

We found that children and young people, especially when navigating big life transitions like changing schools, often need help with navigating friendships and interacting with others.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2Fde632ae2-a805-4f77-9139-ee7c75362fc3.png?alt=media&token=87ec5f58-27c2-4f91-a507-dfb7720eca44","id":"de632ae2-a805-4f77-9139-ee7c75362fc3","width":877,"height":1241,"filename":"001_01.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Participant responses","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F81ef9f43-45c9-4eec-962b-ff03ac29de4c.png?alt=media&token=50557cab-d8aa-4424-ad9c-7d15e8ed252b","id":"81ef9f43-45c9-4eec-962b-ff03ac29de4c","width":877,"height":1241,"filename":"009_01.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2Fe8a00ebe-43d5-48ca-9a3a-401493324092.png?alt=media&token=926ddb77-231a-4c25-a788-d4743c60c7e8","id":"e8a00ebe-43d5-48ca-9a3a-401493324092","width":877,"height":1241,"filename":"002.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2Fba113a7d-c836-4a92-b8b2-33315e65fb22.png?alt=media&token=19a94b69-39c8-418a-91f2-2299a0ac82d8","id":"ba113a7d-c836-4a92-b8b2-33315e65fb22","width":877,"height":1241,"filename":"005_01.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**World Building**

The environment for the monsters was also made out of 3D-scanned play-doh, modelled on top of the shape of a heart. The inspiration for this came from reading Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart – a book that gives us language for 87 different types of human emotions. In our current version of the project, you never really see the world from an aerial view, but it gave us a fantastic terrain to scan and use as a base for the world.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2Fc2583291-fcb6-42ae-9bd2-ed15b59da925.jpg?alt=media&token=26b17fe0-4fad-4cfe-bc12-4fe2b42204be","id":"c2583291-fcb6-42ae-9bd2-ed15b59da925","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"Concept Art.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Early concept art","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2Ff756506d-ce84-422b-8049-fda545126559.mp4?alt=media&token=8b3190bd-4c4d-4bc6-ba5c-f6837dc9e905","id":"f756506d-ce84-422b-8049-fda545126559","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"HeartScan.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Making and scanning 3D terrain in the shape of a heart","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2Fa59f2d7e-aea4-4dd2-848b-d1c527033e18.mp4?alt=media&token=9d426ac0-68c6-4783-8787-a0fcefbf26ce","id":"a59f2d7e-aea4-4dd2-848b-d1c527033e18","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"WorldbuildingWIP.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"WIP Worldbuilding in Unreal Engine","border":false}]}
```

In our workshop, we were able to test our in-progress environment with the young participants, and asked them for their ideas on how we could build on this world. They wanted to see lots of plants, more ‘portals’, more cool stuff in the sky, and gave us ideas on where to place their monsters based on the emotions that their characters were embodying. These were all great ideas which informed the art direction and spatial design of the world.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F57010b27-ad34-4a2b-bb7b-5ecdee589260.jpg?alt=media&token=2e0520e1-aa71-41d0-bb84-b4c6bb52783b","id":"57010b27-ad34-4a2b-bb7b-5ecdee589260","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"Worldbuilding.00_00_06_15.Still002.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Testing our WIP Unreal Engine project with young participants","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F1607f529-4839-4ad6-8121-db2797846d05.jpg?alt=media&token=4aa77c3f-3dab-4c58-9f5a-8b7db7dbeb80","id":"1607f529-4839-4ad6-8121-db2797846d05","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"Worldbuilding.00_00_11_21.Still003.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Illustrating worldbuilding ideas","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F8b654b9a-e984-4bec-9346-fbe10005cd39.jpg?alt=media&token=eaefbdbc-856e-46c7-bf75-4962b795a633","id":"8b654b9a-e984-4bec-9346-fbe10005cd39","width":2310,"height":1526,"filename":"001_02.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Participant worksheet illustrates 'happy' monsters on hills and 'sad' monsters in valleys","border":false}]}
```

**Interactive Experience**

The first outcome of the project that we developed was a prototype for an interactive experience built in Unreal Engine. Using a gamepad, one could navigate the environment and interact with different characters. When approached, each character would share the background stories that the participants had written for them.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FQhNcSwOSUB14X3sOSKwx%2F759d6781-55a6-4733-8cf3-5cd31a376b0d.mp4?alt=media&token=ed17dd7a-c55b-4cfb-9577-b1d75691f201","id":"759d6781-55a6-4733-8cf3-5cd31a376b0d","width":3840,"height":2160,"filename":"Interactive Prototype.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Interactive version of Moody Monsters","border":false}]}
```

**Immersive Exhibit**

As we were developing the project, an opportunity emerged to exhibit at FRAMELESS as part of the *[Imagined Realities](https://frameless.com/imagined-realities/)* residency in their Blank Canvas gallery.

FRAMELESS is the largest permanent multi-sensory experience in the UK, based in London’s Marble Arch. The space presented incredible opportunities which required entirely re-thinking the way audiences would experience the world.

The huge canvas at FRAMELESS allows visitors to stand directly inside the world of *Moody Monsters* and see the creations at larger-than-life size.

We were also able to work with Lian Dyogi, our composer and sound designer, to develop an incredible soundtrack that brings a whole new dimension to the experience.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F3487df3d-ae81-4790-99d9-1a16352763d1.jpg?alt=media&token=464b90fa-6980-4fb2-bdd7-fe1c5a6486c6","id":"3487df3d-ae81-4790-99d9-1a16352763d1","width":7728,"height":5152,"filename":"DSCF3613.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Riya Mahajan and Ruby Bell at FRAMELESS","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2Fb58075c2-1d25-4d3e-9be5-a5394edac847.jpg?alt=media&token=dffc781e-a489-42d7-9404-612bcce3b4e4","id":"b58075c2-1d25-4d3e-9be5-a5394edac847","width":7728,"height":4344,"filename":"DSCF4216.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F91909957-d120-4eca-8570-8a6f2950b2fd.jpg?alt=media&token=5aa3f77e-d8ca-45c7-8d15-1c0361e71207","id":"91909957-d120-4eca-8570-8a6f2950b2fd","width":7728,"height":4344,"filename":"DSCF4117.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F3d1a9669-e8d9-4979-9984-c6aef94a3ffc.jpg?alt=media&token=4fe38479-9ea0-4195-8523-a76b757f5b8f","id":"3d1a9669-e8d9-4979-9984-c6aef94a3ffc","width":7728,"height":4344,"filename":"DSCF4213.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fmoody-monsters%2F57e60aad-de49-4cb4-a3cb-438cfa131b3f.jpg?alt=media&token=10c4532c-f4be-485c-8990-56d494a16761","id":"57e60aad-de49-4cb4-a3cb-438cfa131b3f","width":4344,"height":7728,"filename":"DSCF4107-Edit.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

We think the impact of this project is that it gives children and young people a space to express themselves through the arts, and centres them as contributors and creators in an acclaimed arts setting. For audiences, I think that it can be a lovely way for younger visitors to connect to work made by other children and young people – as well as to help adults see the world through the mind of a child.

*Moody Monsters* launched at FRAMELESS as part of *Imagined Realities* in October 2024 and will be open to the public until March 2025.

Tickets available [here.](https://frameless.com/tickets-and-prices/)

---

Made at the Royal College of Art, 2024 by Ruby Bell and Riya Mahajan

Monsters by Abdurahman, Aisha, Alyssa, Daliya, Kiara, Raqeia, Rufta, Salmaan, Yahya

Music composition and Sound Design by Lian Dyogi

With thanks to Kensington Aldridge Academy and QPR Community Trust

---

Shortlisted for the Helen Hamlyn Design Awards 2024

Official Selection, Spatial Storytelling at Breeze Film Festival 2024

Moody Monsters

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2F1ac5bcdc-2fc9-4c09-b984-8bf8b876222e.jpg?alt=media&token=7c21e703-f824-477e-bc3e-bce3ef9240ad","id":"1ac5bcdc-2fc9-4c09-b984-8bf8b876222e","width":853,"height":1280,"filename":"DSCF1626-9218 Large.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fe40bd3c5-bcee-4cdb-90af-129f5c5b4b57.jpg?alt=media&token=c29331ef-0f28-478e-9a18-fcdaad265f63","id":"e40bd3c5-bcee-4cdb-90af-129f5c5b4b57","width":1280,"height":853,"filename":"DSCF1619-9213 Large.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2F704d7aa6-b305-49bf-b1b2-f1be87f5e4ad.jpg?alt=media&token=3c75f624-768e-4ae5-851b-26c65ee7a20f","id":"704d7aa6-b305-49bf-b1b2-f1be87f5e4ad","width":1280,"height":853,"filename":"DSCF1611-9365 Large.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2F0374b583-4301-42c1-a305-b10a91063e4e.jpg?alt=media&token=e2c7de65-79b5-4f1b-8df7-4df26bc7ed1b","id":"0374b583-4301-42c1-a305-b10a91063e4e","width":853,"height":1280,"filename":"DSCF1665-9254 Large.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fe5301442-036a-44e8-97cb-4c6c639d3324.jpg?alt=media&token=2a7f8df5-cc15-42cc-bc1e-ace4f024a9b3","id":"e5301442-036a-44e8-97cb-4c6c639d3324","width":1280,"height":1024,"filename":"DSCF1640-9223 Large.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

**Slit-Scan Photo-Booth** was an independent project I made at the Royal College of Art as a way to explore my research question—how can we use digital technologies in public space to get people to play?

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2F4f5bbd39-a734-4317-b426-55f2040314f5.png?alt=media&token=c183e623-db89-4fe0-a4df-0dc99994d492","id":"4f5bbd39-a734-4317-b426-55f2040314f5","width":1920,"height":804,"filename":"ParticipantPhotography-0.5@0.5x.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Participant Photography","border":false}]}
```

**Digital Mirrors**

The project began with a fascination with the concept of [‘digital mirrors’](https://zero10.ar) and the potential they have for encouraging people to have fun together in public space. What if one combined the concept of a digital ‘funhouse’ mirror and a photo booth?

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fd69ca061-59a4-4d12-91e7-457898b53f9d.jpg?alt=media&token=84f0a895-43d4-4739-bc4e-fa801d9e5433","id":"d69ca061-59a4-4d12-91e7-457898b53f9d","width":600,"height":857,"filename":"i0000neb_0.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2F232315a1-7e9c-4183-ac9a-95c509d19a25.png?alt=media&token=bd5d00d9-d765-4252-8c24-08a2ca4856a1","id":"232315a1-7e9c-4183-ac9a-95c509d19a25","width":1500,"height":1000,"filename":"pasted-movie-9450.png","type":"image/png","caption":"'Portal' by Benediktas Gylys","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fcbf8726f-0147-477c-ab32-0b2d717e6fe7.png?alt=media&token=e8e2a0e6-5ed7-40e3-8681-cfa87f37971b","id":"cbf8726f-0147-477c-ab32-0b2d717e6fe7","width":918,"height":1436,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-02-21 at 23.18.27-9942.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Snap's AR Mirrors in Retail","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fc007aa37-32bd-4d84-84fd-66d8bb3d9f53.png?alt=media&token=aa0127dd-12cb-426f-8d4c-68c765077c60","id":"c007aa37-32bd-4d84-84fd-66d8bb3d9f53","width":1420,"height":1386,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-02-13 at 12.01.46-9556.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Super Slit Scan by Kitasenju Design","border":false}]}
```

**Made in TouchDesigner**

I initially came across slit-scanning from playing with this [code snippet in p5.js](https://editor.p5js.org/codingtrain/sketches/B1L5j8uk4)—but so far being relatively inexperienced in coding, I switched to learning and working in TouchDesigner to build out the project. I modified a community tutorial to add a photography feature so that users could take their own portraits, and designed basic UI to teach people how the effect works.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Ff95dae3b-f30d-4723-a9bf-81d923f2a31f.mov?alt=media&token=8bc0190f-5bee-45e7-86a3-45c4d4a0d890","id":"f95dae3b-f30d-4723-a9bf-81d923f2a31f","width":592,"height":790,"filename":"ProcessFilm_clip_1.mov","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"Slit-Scan Self Portraits in TouchDesigner","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2Fslit-scan%2Fe723df14-99f0-4b7d-b405-49f3b3dfd8c8.mov?alt=media&token=e0f663ce-0301-4eb0-a9c2-ace079c20a69","id":"e723df14-99f0-4b7d-b405-49f3b3dfd8c8","width":606,"height":756,"filename":"ProcessFilm_clip_2.mov","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"Using slit-scanning to distort type for the booth poster","border":false}]}
```

**Installation**

I installed my prototype booth in the RCA School of Communication café. People really loved taking portraits and playing with their reflections. While the technical demo itself was modest, I think that installing it in a communal space and giving it some framing turned it into something quite delightful.

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/932915740?share=copy#t=0","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1971859222-4be2c900b5e7a09e2e9783c9414fae07f9c0a8205cead49803a40fb2c99246fd-d_295x166"}
```

---

**School** Royal College of Art

**Role** Designer

**Project Duration** Approx 8 weeks

**When** Feb–April 2024

Slit-Scan Photo-Booth

Nature's Pollinators is an Augmented Reality flashcard experience designed to teach children and young people about different pollinating insects and their favourite flowers. In the experience, you meet a bumblebee, an elephant hawk moth, and a painted lady butterfly, who each look for and recognise their favourite flowers on the cards.

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/1024697871?share=copy","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1944098034-37575f09457f6bf3b55fa5430c3dc6b7e3150fcf4d0e5db7060ff8e4b18d4ffa-d_295x166"}
```

The project came about as part of a research programme at the Royal College of Art in partnership with Snap Inc, where we were given the opportunity to explore new directions for AR using Snap Inc’s software, Lens Studio.

One of the lovely things about AR is that the user still has the ability to see and engage with elements of the real world. The sensory experience isn’t completely replaced in the way that it might be in VR.

This meant that we wanted to start from a place where we were making the most of the affordances of AR, by creating an experience where the digital information has a connection to something in the real world, be it [body tracking](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5cTgKx1wUs), [site-specific work](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFaKhtlBU7A), or [image tracking](https://youtu.be/1peWF8ThC8Y?si=QJRY9b6MGmdHKDUU). Linked are some of my favourite AR projects that I think do this really well.\
\
Our group was particularly interested in exploring educational use cases for AR, and we started by prototyping ideas for image marker-based AR material. 

Flashcards felt really lovely, because they fit in the palm of your hand, and in AR it feels like you can bring something closer to you – almost as if your phone was a special kind of x-ray magnifying glass.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FuxqQ7y5ii88sdXSlCxX8%2F8ca3cace-7f80-475a-864a-5b270e99be2c.mp4?alt=media&token=4e49bff7-50ca-4f18-b2b7-488e987663e8","id":"8ca3cace-7f80-475a-864a-5b270e99be2c","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"NaturesPollinators_Prototypes.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Prototypes: 1. Experimenting with the Marker Template in Lens Studio, 2. Introducing a bee to follow a flower tracked to a card 3. Introducing 3 cards / image markers and a carousel","border":false}]}
```

Other AR cards experiences that we had looked at were beautiful, but tended not to have much interaction beyond triggering a tracked 3D model to the card. We wanted to have a game-like mechanic where there was an element of matching or ‘finding’ the correct card, and could imagine this being a fun activity in a classroom or interactive installation setting in a museum.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FuxqQ7y5ii88sdXSlCxX8%2F70bceb78-86fd-4872-864f-fbedec207566.jpg?alt=media&token=17274508-686c-4dfb-9850-306cd6539ff0","id":"70bceb78-86fd-4872-864f-fbedec207566","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"NHM.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"We were inspired by this interactive matching game at The Natural History Museum in London","border":false}]}
```

It was also important to us to have sound as part of the experience so that it wasn’t purely visual, so we worked with composer, Lian Dyogi, from MA Electronic Music at Guildhall who made a looping soundtrack for us to use. A voiceover narrates the on-screen text that gives the user fun facts associated with each insect and flower pairing.

One of my favourite learnings from the research behind this project was that [moths are one of the most underrated pollinating insects](https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/moths-are-more-efficient-pollinators-than-bees-new-research-shows#:~:text=Max%20says%3A%20%22Moths%20are%20important,of%20what%20happens%20at%20night.) as they do most of their pollinating at night. Perhaps this project can give a little more credit to our moth friends alongside bees and butterflies!

During development, filmmaker Sung Hoon Song made a video that documented our research and work in progress on this project. The project continued to develop after this video was made, but it's a great insight into our progress along the way. 

```cv
vimeo
{"url":"https://vimeo.com/1009793761/0bc24e522f","width":426,"height":240,"thumbnail":"https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1927039669-f5adb88f96a80422ba8c2dc1adc428344488b43e47cd59ee4a33abf8097ec8a5-d_295x166"}
```

So far, the project has been exhibited at The Snap Inc x Royal College of Art Symposium in September 2024, and our Lens has had over 53k views on the Snapchat app.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2Fd5t9wJalu0fnGww6Nw3fCykk8QF2%2FuxqQ7y5ii88sdXSlCxX8%2Ffb98b35e-4ebe-464b-b207-158f29b09b2b.mp4?alt=media&token=a93be518-8617-4190-8437-70db80c64a58","id":"fb98b35e-4ebe-464b-b207-158f29b09b2b","width":480,"height":360,"filename":"NaturesPollinators_4-3.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

*Made by Aarti Bhalekar, Ayushi Saxena, Riya Mahajan, and Ruby Bell. Music by Lian Dyogi*

Nature's Pollinators

Designer

Beazley Designs of the Year Shortlist

Helen Hamlyn Design Awards Shortlist

Vice Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship

Camera Craft 1 & 2

Executive Education – Typography

Snap Symposium: Augmented UnRealities

VR Lab

Spatial Storytelling

PIVOTAL: Digitalism

Frameless London: New exhibition showcases artwork created by London schoolchildren

Royal College of Art (RCA) Alumni Opens ‘Imagined Realities’ at FRAMELESS

World Toilet Day: RCA students design solutions to tackle toilets

STALL is a 360 short film about getting your first period.

STALL

An interactive experience somewhere between games and TV, where you play as an avocado that has been brought to life by a young inventor.

An AR experience designed to educate children and young people about pollinating insects and their favourite flowers.

A playful experience designed for Snap's Spectacles to get you moving with friends.

Ghost Catch

A compilation of my highlighted directing, editing, and motion graphics work.

Directing & Editing Showreel

Moody Monsters is an audiovisual experience at FRAMELESS, where audiences can immerse themselves in a surreal landscape to discover fictional monsters designed and made by young people.

A digital advertising campaign for payment platform, Wirex

Wirex

A compilation of my directing and editing work.

Director & Editor Showreel

Slit-Scan Photo-Booth is an interactive installation to encourage play and curiosity in public spaces. The project was made as a prototype for what could be an 'digital funhouse mirror'.

Some lettering I made out of blue candle wax on the RCA Typography short course.

Wax Letterforms

Guest lecture on co-design methodologies for Moody Monsters

Visiting Lecturer

Artist Talk

Mentor

Video Editor

Creative

'Imagined Realities' is a captivating three-part audio-visual journey that explores and celebrates the space between dreams and reality.

Artist in Residence

Student Promotional Representative

Researching and prototyping future possibilities for AR on the RCA x Snap program.