Beginner Module 1

Welcome to the Snap AR Self-Paced Learning Course

You’ve probably seen Lenses on Snapchat before. They’re the augmented reality experiences used to add effects and backgrounds to the photos and videos you take on Snapchat. In this course, you’ll learn how to make your own Lenses and share them with the world. By the end of this course you’ll have Lenses ready to submit to Snap for review!

Before you begin the course, take this 2-minute survey so we know how to guide your learning experience.

Brainstorm five quick ideas for AR Lenses. You can use the Lens Ideas Worksheet or draw them on paper or your computer. It doesn’t matter if they’re “good” or “bad” ideas — right now the goal is just to generate ideas. If you can think of them, you should draw them!

Idea Worksheet

Select your favorite Lens from your five ideas, and draw it in more detail using the Lens Prototype Worksheet.

Prototype Worksheet

Create a digital version of your Lens idea using an image editing tool that you are already familiar with. Your final product should look as if you took a selfie using your new Lens.

Suggested Workflow

If you are familiar with design software, you may skip this step. If you are new to design, welcome! We suggest you check out Figma or Canva, which are free apps.

For Figma, take 10 minutes to complete this Getting Started guide.
For Canva, take 10 minutes to look through this Graphic Design Basics guide.
For Adobe Illustrator, take 20 minutes to review this Get to Know Illustrator guide.

This will be used as the background layer of your image.

This photo should be a selfie with the same dimensions and a similar face-to-frame ratio as a regular Snap photo.

On this layer, add one element of your new Lens. You can draw, import photos, use shapes, etc. Make sure that it fits well on your face.

Example: You are making a flower crown. Your first element is a headband that acts as a base for the flowers, on a layer labeled “Layer 1: Headband.”

As you build out your Lens, each element should have a different and clearly labeled layer to make it easy to edit.

Example: For your flower crown, you can add a second layer for big flowers (“Layer 2: Big Flowers”), a third for smaller flowers (“Layer 3: Small Flowers”), and so on.

Edit until you achieve the desired effect of your Lens prototype.

Save as a .PNG file.

Watch

What's Next?

Go to Module 2

Questions?

Forums

Documentations

Twitter

YouTube

Module 1

Welcome to the Snap AR Self-Paced Learning Course

Step 1

Brainstorm

Step 2

Choose

Step 3

Design

Suggested Workflow

Learn About Design Software

Import a Photo of Yourself

Create a New Layer

Add More Elements

Edit Each Element

Save Your Work

Extra Credit

Want to know more about Lens studio, how to use it, and how to bring 2D art to AR?
Check out this video series.

What's Next?

Questions?

Module 1

Welcome to the Snap AR Self-Paced Learning Course

Step 1

Brainstorm

Step 2

Choose

Step 3

Design

Suggested Workflow

Learn About Design Software

Import a Photo of Yourself

Create a New Layer

Add More Elements

Edit Each Element

Save Your Work

Extra Credit

Want to know more about Lens studio, how to use it, and how to bring 2D art to AR?Check out this video series.

What's Next?

Questions?

Want to know more about Lens studio, how to use it, and how to bring 2D art to AR?
Check out this video series.