Adobe Aero
Augmented Reality Residency Session 009
I was given the amazing opportunity to be part of the Adobe Aero Residency this year. As a photographer and graphic designer I was very nervous because I didn't know how my work and style would translate in Augmented Reality. As I began using the AR app, I realized how easy it was to bring my work from Photoshop into Adobe Aero and make specific changes and movements. For the first time in my life I was able to bring my artwork into an app and walk around / through it. This brought so many ideas on how to navigate the way people would experience my artwork.
During my residency I learned to think deeply about how I want people to experience my work, but this time with more intention since they could walk around the work. This app allowed me to add music, give layers of my artwork different behaviors and movement.
Now when I create I always think of how I could elevate the artwork in real life. I've found it's important to always think about how the end user will experience the work in AR and also the message I want to convey as they experience it. I found myself asking questions like "How can my work be more than just a poster but also an experience?" This took alot of trail and error but I was determined to find the answer.
Poster 102 in AR
I made this poster inspired by my culture, blackness, and my love for shapes and patterns.
This was my first time making something in AR and I was so proud of it. because I was finally able to experience my Poster in AR and get up close and personal with it. This opened up so many possibilities that I never could have imagined. It was like having an out of body experience when I realized I was able to move around my artwork and get up close and personal.
As I experimented more with AR, I realized that location is very important. So taking that into consideration, I created an AR interactive experience that could be used outside or in a park. It was inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog Rings in the game. I really loved this project because I was able to use abstract designs on shapes to give that feeling of depth. This was my first time making anything like this. I also shared it with my community and people began using it and having fun with it!
NATALIE LAUREN
My love for Portraits, Shapes and Color allowed me to explore how I would want people to experience these type of Design in their own living room / space. This Portrait was taken by my friend Natalie Lauren. I wanted to take this portrait and turn it into somewhat of a sculpture. I then brought it into Adobe Aero and Added some behaviors to it so that as people moved closer, some of the objects would move and the end result would be that you could see the original image. I started thinking about what I wanted my work to convey in this experience. I just wanted people to know that behind all the designs on top the portrait was a beautiful black woman and artist.
Video here:
Adobe AR x Adobe Dimension
As I explored new possibilities, I began learning how easy it was to make 2D objects into 3D objects using Photoshop Extrusion + Adobe Dimension. I decided to try this technique and see how I could turn some of my 2D designs into a 3D experience. I first started off with Nike shoes then made an Abstract "Park" filled with shapes and my patterns / designs.
AUGMENTED REALITY
BIRTHDAY CARD
For my Final Aero project, I wanted to make a Birthday AR Card for my wife, Afritina Coker.
I designed a poster for her and then brought in pictures from friends and family and added their recordings to the pictures. It was a lot of work and a very BIG file, but she got to experience the birthday card and LOVED it!
Initially I wanted to have her go through the artwork and then see circles and hear people's voices but upon talking with my colleagues and friends It seemed with the COVID climate we were in, it was better to have Images of loved ones versus abstract circles.
All in all, during this residency I have learned how to turn my posters into Augmented Reality and include an interactive experience. I plan to use this medium in the future when I sell limited prints and do Exhibitions. I also want to continue to explore what AR Birthday Cards could look like as I grow in my craft.
Initial Concept
Final
ºGIVING THANKSº
During this residency I have learned so much about myself and the impact I want my art to have in this world and in my community. I learned how to think outside the box, Push myself creatively, work on how I want people to experience my work etc. This residency was challenging but in a good way. I can now say that I have fallen in love with a new medium and currently have ideas of how I can utilize this medium with my posters in the future.
I'd like to give a HUGE thanks to Silka Miesnieks & George Zisiadis who really walked with use every step of the way offering advice, pushing us and making us think deeper about our art. I also want to give a big THANK YOU to the Adobe Aero team, Alex, Stefanie, Chantel, Vlad, and the everyone else who made this app become a reality. Thank you for listening to our feedback and offering solutions.
I also want to give a big shout out to my colleagues Nurbanu Asena & Timo Helgert. They really held me up during this residency and were always pushing me creatively with the work they created. I can't wait to see what we all continue to create as grow in our craft!
