Google Playground

Google Playground was originally launched as a component of the Google Pixel Phone's Camera app. Anyone with a Pixel phone could use it to add fun & intelligent characters, dynamic text and 2D stickers to their world with Augmented Reality - or take Selfies with virtual characters.

I served as Technical Art Lead and UX Designer, an interesting challenge considering the proprietary technology and unique design of Playground. As Technical Art Lead, I focused on content needs and in addition to leading the design and documentation of our tools pipeline, I worked closely with engineers on developing our AR rendering systems and animation behavior systems.

For UX, I led the development of the Selfie mode and Typography features specifically, pitching, prototyping and ultimately launching both. We shipped two major annual content launches, and over a dozen collections of original characters and IP collaborations.