Snap Inc. is preparing to open Snapchat House, inviting both SXSW Sydney delegates and the wider industry to join in on an immersive experience.
Open from Tuesday 17 October until Thursday 19 October at the Chinese Garden of Friendship Forecourt, Snapchat House will bring the connection of Snapchat to life through interactive experiences such as a AR tower, and a beauty bAR where you can get your AR make-up look recreated by a make-up artist.
Team Snap will also be running an AR workshop for creatives, hosting industry sessions for agency groups, facilitating discussions about the intersection of creativity and technology, and giving away swag.
A SXSW badge is not required to visit Snapchat House.
Highlights at Snapchat House, SXSW Sydney include:
• Beauty bAR: Immerse yourself in AR try-on technology and explore creative makeup looks in augmented reality, then have your favourite one applied IRL by professional makeup artists. October 17, 18 and 19, 10:00-6:00 daily, no badge required.
• Giant augmented reality photo tower: Experience augmented reality with your friends on the big screen. The five-metre-high tower lets Snapchat House visitors play with an interactive body tracking lens and share portraits of their mega AR moment to their phone. October 17, 18 and 19, 10:00-6:00 daily, no badge required.
• Media agency workshops: Team Snap will host bespoke creative sessions for GroupM, IPG, PHD, OMG and more, in a purpose-built space at Snapchat House. Tuesday 17 October and Wednesday 18 October, invite only.
• “Turn on the Happiness Machine”: Moderated by tech journalist and Queens of the Drone Age podcast host, Tegan Jones, Snap is bringing together panellists Jason Davey, Chief Experience Officer at Ogilvy Australia, Yusuf Omar, Co-Founder of Seen.tv and Haran Ramachandran, Head of Creative Strategy, Snap Inc. APAC, to reveal how technology is being used to amplify the most precious elements of humanity. Thursday 19 October, 11:00-12:00. SXSW badge holders only.
• Get Hands-On with AR tech: Dive deep into augmented reality and see its power up close through an interactive, hands-on session. Instructors will guide you, ensuring AR creators leave with a newfound mastery of this technology. Thursday 19 October, 1:30-2:30pm, no badge required. Register here.
Tony Keusgen, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Snap Inc., said: “South by Southwest is renowned globally as the most important and exciting showcase of creativity and innovation, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Sydney event.
“For our part, Snapchat House will be a place to celebrate the magic that happens when technology and creativity come together. We’re creating a space that showcases interactive AR experiences, from playful lenses to immersive beauty transformations, highlighting the fusion of technology and personal expression. We can’t wait to welcome our partners, creators, and industry friends to Snapchat House.”
See Also: Snap Inc. appoints Tony Keusgen as managing director ANZ, replacing Kathryn Carter