Enlive AR Rocket Launch

Social campaigning through AR technologies is still in its early stage and mostly known for face filters. Interactive storytelling effects tend to have the disadvantage of being less sharable, because they require more active participation. This can translate into weaker campaign metrics, even though there’s a lot of hidden potential. To showcase some of these qualities, while seizing every opportunity to design and 3D model spacecrafts, I developed a promotional world effect for my AR partner Enlive Studio.

The immersive nature of AR effects sets the perfect stage for playful interactions that engage our senses in an intuitive manner. It’s a powerful medium to tell stories, but also a way for brands to connect to their followers on a deeper emotional level. Not every AR effect needs to be a purely functional product. Sometimes, its value is in the experience itself.

The “Enlive AR Rocket Launch” was intended as such, celebrating the beginning of a new year, and paying homage to space exploration. Users would start by virtually placing the launch pad onto a real-world surface via the Instagram camera. The rocket would then emerge from an underground silo and prompt the user to progress through the launch sequence, before initiating the countdown. While each step featured different animations and visual elements, the scenes were also supported by bespoke sound effects for an added layer of realism. In the end, the ship would complete a booster separation before revealing an Easter egg in the form of a lucky charm.

Through a combination of purpose-built 3D models, animations, and a cohesive soundscape, AR experiences have the potential to captivate us on even a small device like a smartphone. This is just one example of how AR can transform digital interactions into tangible moments of wonder — bringing stories to life, and sparking emotions. And sometimes, that’s all a great experience needs to create lasting memories.