Augment Your Reality with Snap's Lens Studio at Otis College
Explore this free, three-week Snap Lens Lab Summer program. No prior experience or skills are required to apply.
Monday, July 13–Friday, July 31, 2026
Join the sixth 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.
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
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, Snap team participation, and will culminate with a final exhibition of students’ work.
Program Timeline
Week 1 focuses around building the basics and getting students comfortable with digital tools. This is a heavy week of instruction, preparing scholars with the building blocks to succeed in the program. In addition, students experience a warm welcome from both Otis and Snap teams, including a field trip to Snap HQ.
Week 2 starts with students pitching their ideas and starting to figure out how to approach them. With mentorship and support from the instructor, Snap partners, and with all of the tools at their disposal, scholars start to build their final project.
Week 3 is all about finishing touches and presentations. Students create a polished final project, with ongoing guidance and feedback from instructors and Snap as they prepare for their final exhibition. Friends and family are encouraged to attend!
Throughout all three weeks, scholars attend unique field trips, hear from guest speakers, and get networking and career development opportunities!
Learning Outcomes
- Learn skills in industry standard 2D and 3D programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Autodesk Maya.
- Create Snapchat filters with Augmented Reality using Snap Inc.’s Lens Studio software.
- Learn how to pitch and present your artwork by working with Otis instructors and Snap partners throughout the whole creative process.
- Get more comfortable with networking and gain career readiness skills.
Snap Lens Lab Information Session
Curious about augmented reality and digital creativity? Watch a Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College virtual information session from last year to learn how you can take part in this innovative, three-week, pre-college program.
FAQs
Snap Lens Lab is a free, three-week pre-college summer program at Otis College of Art and Design where high school students explore augmented reality (AR), digital art, and design. Students use Snap Inc.’s Lens Studio to create interactive experiences while developing their 2D and 3D art skills.
Snap Lens Lab runs for the final 3 weeks of July, Mondays through Fridays, from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. The program takes place on Otis College’s campus, located at 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Participation is required for the entirety of the program. Students who are not able to attend all sessions may not be eligible to receive a stipend and certification of completion. However, if you need to miss a class time due to an emergency such as illness or doctors appointments, please reach out to the Program team ahead of the program.
The program is completely free for scholars, and includes the following: tuition, supplies, snacks, breakfast and lunch, and field trips. Exceptions of items that are not covered are costs of transportation needed for commuting to and from the college.
The program is designed for Los Angeles County high school students aged 15-19. At the time of your application, you must be currently enrolled in high school.
No prior experience or skills are required to apply. Students will be introduced to the software and creative processes during the program.
Scholars completing the program will leave with:
- Digital tool skills for 2D and 3D art in industry standard programs.
- Hands-on practice with pitching ideas and receiving feedback during the creative process.
- Opportunities to meet and network with Snap Inc. affiliates and Snap Academy students.
- A professional presentation of finished artwork.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer housing on campus.
Scholars in the program will learn the basics of industry standard software including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Autodesk Maya. In addition, scholars will gain familiarity with Snap Inc.’s AR program, Lens Studio, to create their final projects. Throughout the program, students will learn to develop visual concepts and ideas using drawing and design processes.
No. All learning equipment and materials are provided as part of the program.
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.
Program News
Explore Augmented Reality
Importance of Exposing Students to Augmented Reality
"Augmented reality represents the next paradigm in computing. Over time, 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."
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 pm PDT.
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