Disney AR Lenses

Problem‍

AR lenses across Disney Parks needed to deliver high-quality, intuitive experiences while supporting multiple franchises, characters, and storytelling styles. Without strong interaction design and visual consistency, experiences risked feeling confusing, inconsistent, or disconnected from the IP.

Solution‍

I designed immersive AR lens experiences that combined spatial storytelling, gesture-based interactions, and clear visual feedback to guide users naturally through each experience. Each lens was crafted to feel intuitive, emotionally engaging, and aligned with the narrative and visual standards of its respective franchise.

Product‍

A suite of Disney PhotoPass AR lenses deployed across Disneyland and Walt Disney World, enabling guests to interact with characters, environments, and themed overlays directly through their camera.

Key Features

• Immersive spatial storytelling that integrates characters into real-world environments
• Gesture-based interactions that create intuitive and playful engagement
• High-fidelity character integration aligned with film and brand standards
• Interactive feedback cues that guide users without breaking immersion.

Impact‍

Achieved Top 10 ranking in creates and swipes, driving high guest engagement and contributing to increased interaction and shareability across the platform.

Five lenses, one system

01Pascal

Pascal

Delivered a film-accurate AR character experience through cross-functional execution.

• 3D Character Fidelity Oversight
• Creative + Legal Alignment
• Cross-Team Production Leadership
• Character-Driven Interaction Flow
• Narrative-True Visual Direction

02Armorer’s Forge & Stormtrooper

Armorer’s Forge & Stormtrooper

Delivered an authentic Star Wars UI experience praised by leadership and guests.

• Film-Accurate UI & Iconography
• Custom Animations
• Cross-Franchise Design Alignment
• Cinematic Motion Sequences

03Marvel

Marvel

Delivered a Marvel-standard immersive UI experience with clear usability.

• Guided Hint Overlays
• Cinematic UI Design
• Hero-Focused Interaction Flow
• High-Fidelity Motion Design
• Narrative-Aligned Interface System

04PhotoBooth

PhotoBooth

Increased guest engagement by transforming a single lens into a four-park AR experience.

• Multi-Park AR Toggle System
• Themed Overlay Variations
• Photo Capture Optimization
• Guest-Friendly Interaction Flow
• High-Engagement Share Moments

05Ears & Balloons

Ears & Balloons

Ranked Top 10 in swipes and creates and increased conversion by 6.2%.

• High-Engagement Visual Storytelling

Inside one lens: how Pascal got made

01Concept

The concept

Lens opportunities often originate from cultural moments or physical landmarks. In this case, the trigger was the Rapunzel tower in Magic Kingdom.

• Explored iconic moments (glowing hair, flower braiding, lanterns, Pascal)
• Pitched multiple concepts to PM and Creative Director via brief
• Constraints identified (hair effects and braiding were not feasible)
• Final direction: focus on Pascal and the lantern interaction

02Pre-Production

Pre-production

The concept was translated into a defined, feasible experience through iteration, collaboration, and constraint-setting.

• Defined interaction flows (lantern trigger, Pascal behaviour, user interaction)
• Explored experience logic (does Pascal react, stay on the shoulder, engage with lanterns?)
• Tested technical feasibility with Snap and agency partners (e.g. colour-based camouflage)
• Scoped constraints against budget (what was possible versus too costly)
• Built the pitch deck (requirements, assets, timelines)
• Pitched multiple AR agencies and evaluated proposals
• Selected an agency on approach, collaboration and cost

03Legal & IP

Legal & IP

Creative development was continuously aligned with legal and IP constraints through iterative review cycles.

• Phased development with the agency
• Iterative internal and Legal/IP reviews
• Continuous feedback loops to the agency
• Balancing creative intent against IP constraints
• Character model refinement for brand accuracy (a Pascal underbite correction)

04Production

Production

Execution and refinement leading to launch.

• Asset production (icon, info drawer)
• Agency collaboration during build
• Iteration and bug fixing
• QA and launch approval

05Fun Fact

Fun fact

In my very first Disney interview, I rewrote “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid into “Part of Your Team”, then sang it to the hiring manager. A year later, I was shipping Pascal.