FIU Affinity AR Filters
The first filter is an FIU football helmet that allows users to virtually wear and capture photos, while the second filter transforms users into FIU's beloved mascot, Roary the Panther. Roary's head features interactive elements, with wiggling ears and responsive blinking eyes, creating engaging and immersive experiences for students, alumni, and fans alike.
Project Objectives
The primary objectives of these AR filters were:
- Affinity Building: Create engaging, interactive AR experiences that deepen the sense of connection and pride among FIU students, alumni, and supporters.
- User Engagement: Develop filters that encourage users to actively engage with FIU's branding and mascot.
- Enhanced Interactivity: Implement captivating and interactive elements, such as ear wiggles and responsive eyes, to enhance user engagement.
Filter Development: FIU Football Helmet
Concept and Design
The FIU football helmet AR filter was conceived as a way to celebrate FIU's football team and its vibrant community. The helmet design incorporated FIU's team colors and logo, ensuring that users felt a part of the Panther family.
Implementation
- A 3D model of the FIU football helmet was created to provide a realistic virtual experience.
- Users could virtually wear the helmet in real-time through their device's camera.
- Users were encouraged to take photos and share their Panther pride on social media.
Filter Development: Roary Mask
Concept and Design
Roary the Panther is the heart and soul of FIU's mascot spirit. The Roary head AR filter aimed to bring this iconic character to life in an interactive and endearing manner. The design paid homage to Roary's playful personality.
Implementation
- A 3D model of Roary's head was created, complete with the signature panther ears and expressive eyes.
- Users could don Roary's head through the AR filter, becoming the mascot themselves.
- Interactive elements included wiggling ears that responded to the user's movements and eyes that blinked and focused in sync with the user's actions.
Development Tools
Meta Spark Studio served as the foundational platform for the development of both filters. It provided the necessary tools to implement 3D models, integrate interactivity, and seamlessly deploy the filters on Facebook and Instagram.
Launch and Reception
Both filters were launched on Facebook and Instagram, making them easily accessible to FIU's online community. Users enthusiastically engaged with the filters, sharing their photos and experiences across social media platforms. The filters garnered positive feedback and increased visibility for FIU's brand.
Outcomes and Impact
- Affinity Building: The AR filters successfully deepened the sense of connection and pride among FIU's community, serving as a creative way to express Panther spirit.
- User Engagement: Users actively engaged with the filters, showcasing their enthusiasm for FIU and its athletic teams.
- Enhanced Interactivity: The interactive elements, such as ear wiggles and responsive eyes, added an element of fun and personalization, increasing user engagement.
Conclusion
The development of the FIU football helmet and Roary the Panther head AR filters using Meta Spark Studio exemplifies the power of Augmented Reality in building affinity for educational institutions. By providing immersive and interactive experiences that allow users to virtually connect with FIU's brand and mascot, these filters successfully achieved their objectives of fostering pride and engagement within the FIU community. These AR filters serve as innovative tools to celebrate school spirit and strengthen the bond between the university and its supporters.
Client:FIU AthleticsFIU Social
Role:AR EngineerUX DesignerProject Manager3D Modeler
Tools: Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Cinema4D Meta Spark Studio
Development:Javascript