Mitsuko Ono has been making filters and effects for Instagram, Facebook, and more since 2016. Though her first ill-fated, Matrix-inspired filter didn’t live up to her current abilities, it did spark an interest in AR and design.
Now working with Popul-AR, Ono works on client projects as well as her own. Though some of her filters are downright creepy, there’s no doubt that Ono is an artist with a lot to say and an immense amount of talent. I reached out to the creator to learn more about what inspires her and what she’s working on now.
Q: What was your first introduction to AR and its capabilities?
A: I’ve seen my friends share some funny filters on Instagram, specifically the “instameat” from Caio Vita, then I got super curious as to how to make them. I’ve always enjoyed editing mine and my friends’ faces into different funny designs and I’ve always wanted to learn AR, but it seemed so difficult before I knew about Spark AR. Luckily, I had followed Noland Chaliha and saw his post about making filters on Spark AR.
Q: Which filters (of ones you’ve made or others) is your current favorite?
A: My favorite filter of my own is currently “Crane Brain.” I love them all though!
Q: What do you like about creating filters and seeing people use them?
A: I get excited when I come up with a crazy idea, then I enjoy creating it — making it crazier as I go. I love seeing people laugh while using my filters. I enjoy seeing them have fun with friends and family with my stupid ideas!
Q: You work with Popul-AR Studio — what are some of the projects you’re working on? How did you connect with them?
A: I work on several projects with Popul-AR Studio. I mainly focus on a lot of client work from conceptualization to creation. Popul-AR approached me just a few weeks after lockdown. [I] did freelance work for them at the start and became part of the team soon after. A few more months and I’ll be celebrating my first year with Popul-AR!
Q: Where do you see your career going — how important is it for you to be a digital creator?
A: I’d like to learn more, honestly. I’d like to be able to code in the future. I want to be able to keep creating both great ideas and digital creations. I’m also practicing how to draw again as well because I want to be able to cover all aspects of being a digital creator. I don’t want to get stuck with the same capabilities, but improve over time as it’s the only way to survive career-wise. It also gets boring when you become stagnant.
Q: If time, money, and hours weren’t an issue, what would be your dream project?
A: I want to learn how to sculpt and be good at it to make weird things and combine it with my style of AR and have my own physical and digital exhibit.
Be sure to follow Ono on Instagram to learn more.
Comments 0 Responses