Ana Carolina Estarita believes strongly in the power of AR to change our lives for the better. She’s well informed because she is a part of designing this approach. Working with globally recognized brand names like Nike and Fossil, Atlantic Records, or on impactful social campaigns like AMA (Asociacion de Madres de Abril – Association of Mothers of April) who headfirst combat the repercussions of political/social violence, Ana exemplifies the modern professional who uses wields remarkable skill with positive intent to elevate quality of life.
While that might sound grandiose, one only need consider her work to see how the implementation of her creations makes a profound difference for those who utilize them. We are only beginning to see the potential for the life changing contributions of an Immersive Media Expert like Ms. Estarita for citizens all over the planet.
Ana’s work on “AMA Constructing Memory” for the AMA is a shining example of how AR can be used to both inform society and aid in healing it. This interactive art book has been displayed at numerous film and new media festivals including VRFest Mexico, Narrar el Futuro in Colombia, and the Human Rights Film Festival in Berlin (Germany) as well as art spaces such as the Resistance Biennale in Guatemala, the Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture in San José (Costa Rica), and La Neomudejar Contemporary Vanguard Art Center in Madrid (Spain). “AMA Constructing Memory” commemorates the victims of the Massacre perpetrated by the Nicaraguan Government in April of 2018.
Through the use of a smartphone with QR codes, participants are allowed to access information about the events and victims. A key part of Ana’s design was allowing participants to construct AR altars in remembrance of family members and friends who were victims, thus allowing a symbolic sense of closure.
Many native people had fled Nicaragua during the violence; “AMA Constructing Memory” allowed them access to pay tribute while allowing other members of the public (the book was presented in both Spanish and English) to educate themselves about the political violence which took place and resulted in such diaspora. “AMA Constructing Memory” is a winner of the “365 a Year in Design” awarded by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and a 2023 Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) Winner in Immersive Impact, Creative Advocacy and Journalistic Achievement in the Documentary XR/Interactive Categories.
“Circles of Care” is a far more ambiguous design by Ms. Estarita but with a similar goal to that of “AMA Constructing Memory”; the ability to tap into a state of positive mental and emotional health. Appropriately titled, “Circles of Care” is a multimedia immersive installation which delivers immediate sensory input regarding how acts of care are transformative to the environment that surrounds us. Invited by a sculpture at the center of a small room, participants become caretakers of “visual music” which can evolve and expand based on their caring gestures.
A visual and auditory extension of their own actions, these visitors can begin to contemplate the resonation of their intentions and actions in the material world and society. A mind expanding experience, Circles of Care appeared at multiple international festivals like Animafest Zagreb and was shortlisted for the Lumen Art and Technology award.
Regarding her work with iconic athletic brand Nike, Ana professes, “I think that for any designer to work with a brand of the caliber of Nike is an incredible experience. Not only because of what it adds to your portfolio, but for it to be a brand that is always pushing design and doing things that others can only dream of, it feels like a unique opportunity as a designer to try new things. Added to that, the main objective of this experience was making people move, that in itself is a unique request I’ve never heard before or after.
This project forced me to think my design in a completely different way and I have to admit that it was very challenging at the beginning but when it started working, it felt amazing.” The project Ana refers to is “Nike Race the Pace”, the AR vehicle which allowed users to compete against the world’s greatest runners in a variety of races. By accessing a smart phone camera (and the LA Instagram page), users were pitted against one of three 3D Characters that represent the Olympic champion record on a given Running Pace.
Easy to use and fun, “Nike Race the Pace” uses modern technology to promote exercise and healthy competition, variables not typically associated in current times. As the Lead creative technologist, Ms. Estarita was in charge of the research and technical validation of what was possible with the technology while working closely with the Creative Director in sculpting the experience. Ana feels strongly that her work can elevate the quality of life for many people.
She stresses, “Recently I’ve been thinking about the connecting thread of my work and I’ve come to the conclusion that my work in one word tries to ‘connect’; connect people to other people around them or connect them to their surroundings. Connect them to their past or history or connect them to their own inner self. As an artist, I guess I want to connect with people as well.”
Writer: Coleman Haan
Punit