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Snap Lens Lab

Augment Your Reality with Snap's Lens Studio at Otis College

Explore this three-week Snapchat Summer program, running from Monday, July 14 to Friday, August 1, 2025. No prior experience or skills are required.

Join the fourth annual Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College of Art and Design this summer to imagine new realities, hone your creative skills, and bring your big ideas to life! Lens Studio is a powerful application designed for artists and developers to build augmented reality experiences for Snapchatters around the world. In this three-week, pre-college program, students will combine the power of augmented reality (AR) with their own creativity to visualize, draw, develop, and share dynamic experiences.

Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College will provide 15 scholarships to eligible Los Angeles County high school students which will cover full participation in the program. Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College is designed to provide high school youth, including seniors, from underserved communities with access and insight into meaningful career opportunities that may have been otherwise inaccessible to them.

Application Opening Soon

The application for the 2025 Snap Lens Lab program at Otis College will open on Monday, March 17. Submit your information via our form to stay informed and receive updates about the application process and this year’s cohort.

Important Dates

March 17: Application opens
May 18: Application deadline
July 14: Program begins
August 1: Final exhibition and end of program

Join a Snap Lens Lab Information Session 

Curious about augmented reality and digital creativity? Join us for an upcoming Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College virtual information session to learn how you can take part in this innovative, three-week, pre-college program. Designed for high school students interested in art, design, and technology, Snap Lens Lab offers hands-on experience using Snap Inc.'s Lens Studio and industry-leading tools like Maya, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.



The Learning Experience

Instructors from Otis College's Extension and BFA programs in Digital Media and related design fields will engage students in all aspects of the development and design process within the augmented reality, digital, and physical environments. Additionally, members of the Snap team will participate in teaching and mentoring students in aspects of Lens Studio.

The program includes guest visits from industry professionals, site visits, and Snap team participation and will culminate with a final exhibition of students’ work.

Learning Outcomes

  • Create Snapchat Lenses
  • Work with Augmented Reality
  • Create 2D and 3D art and learn design skills
  • Learn Maya, Photoshop, Illustrator

Program Quick Facts

  • Receive a scholarship to develop your design and AR skills
  • Designed for L.A. based high school students
  • Program takes place Monday through Friday
  • All learning equipment provided

About Snap and Lens Studio

Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

Lens Studio is a powerful application designed for artists and developers to build augmented reality experiences for hundreds of millions of Snapchatters. With a huge set of built-in features including custom shaders and advanced tracking technology, the possibilities are endless.

Explore Augmented Reality

Student working with Snap Lens Studio
Student drawing concepts on digital art pad
Snap Lens Students together

Importance of Exposing Students to Augmented Reality

"Augmented reality represents the next paradigm in computing. Overtime, technology has evolved, with each phase bringing new ways to interact with digital content to enhance our lives. Now, we are transitioning into an era where digital objects will seamlessly integrate with the physical world, enhancing how we play, connect, and interact with one another and work.
 
A critical piece of this transformation is augmented reality, a technology that enables immersive and interactive digital experiences. By introducing students to AR, we are equipping them with the skills needed to participate in this growing field. Just as previous technological revolutions created new career paths for developers and innovators, the rise of AR presents immense opportunities for those who are prepared. Students who gain expertise in AR development will be well-positioned to contribute to and thrive in this emerging ecosystem—whether by building applications, driving innovation, or shaping the future of digital interaction."

—Joe Darko, Head of AR Developer Relations, Snap Inc.

Go Beyond Boundaries at Otis College

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design prepares students in the art and design capital of Los Angeles for a dynamic future in the creative economy. The College educates a diverse community of over 1,200 students in a supportive setting to become highly skilled professionals in established and emerging creative sectors. Alumni and faculty are Fulbright, MacArthur, and Guggenheim grant recipients, Oscar winners, and legendary costume designers. Have questions? Contact us at extension@otis.edu or 310-665-6850, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PDT.

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Contact Us

Have questions? We're here to help! Call the Otis College Extension team between 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Phone: 310-665-6850

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