SINGAPORE – In a boundary pushing collaboration, the National Library Board (NLB) has teamed up with Snap Inc. and LePub Singapore to pilot a groundbreaking initiative that injects immersive Augmented Reality (AR) into the traditional reading experience. The technology making this possible is Snap’s latest generation of Spectacles, powered by Snap OS, and an ambitious vision to make storytelling not just engaging, but enveloping.
Designed for Snap’s Spectacles, Augmented Reading brings books to life through real time audio visual enhancements like layered soundscapes, dynamic visuals, and ambient cues that complement the text. From whispering winds to sinister creaks, the AR lenses scan the printed words and activate mood driven effects through machine learning and text recognition.
Chief Librarian & Chief Innovation Officer at the National Library Board, Singapore, Gene Tan said: “We are happy to partner LePub and Snap in this to explore ways to enhance the experience of stories and books for everyone. This is part of NLB’s ongoing efforts to engage with partners to experiment with new experiences that could inspire discovery and spark a renewed passion for reading and learning.”
Antoine Gilbert, Senior Manager, AR Studio Paris, Snap said: “Snap’s AR Studio Paris’ mission is to educate and inspire the world about the possibilities of augmented reality in the fields of art, education, and culture. With the latest generation of Snap Spectacles, we are pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences, enabling new ways to interact with the world. This innovation is further exemplified by the development of the world’s first Augmented Reading experience — a breakthrough designed to transform how people engage with written content through Snap Spectacles. By bridging the physical and digital realms, we continue to empower creativity and redefine the future of storytelling.”
Prototypes of Snap Spectacles with Augmented Reading Lenses will soon be available for Singaporean residents to try out at a selected library. More details will be shared when ready. A lens prototype of Snap Spectacles featuring Augmented Reading will soon be available for the developers community in Spectacles’ Lens Explorer.
CREDITS
Client: National Library Board, Singapore
Programme Director, National Reading Movement: Chris Koh
Senior Manager/Senior Librarian, Programmes & Services: Ilyani Suhaimi
Manager/Librarian, Programmes & Services: Koh Cui Shan
Snap inc. / Spectacles
Snapchat AR Studio Paris Senior Manager: Antoine Gilbert
Snapchat AR Studio Paris Production Manager: Tristan Qui
Snapchat Creative Strategy Lead: Leander Roet
Agency: LePub
Global CEO LePub, CCO Publicis Worldwide: Bruno Bertelli
Global Chief Creative Officer: Cristiana Boccassini
Global Executive Creative Director, LePub & Chief Invention Officer, LeGarage: Andrey Tyukavkin
Global Head of Creative Technology, LeGarage: Mauro Mazzei
Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe Singapore & SEA: Amrita Randhawa
Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe SEA: Ajay Vikram
LePub Singapore, Managing Director: Penny Sadlier
LePub Singapore, Regional Executive Creative Director: Stephan Schwarz
LePub Singapore, Creative Director, Code & Art, LeGarage: Sergey Mast
LePub Singapore, Senior Art Director: Claudius Keng
LePub Singapore, Senior Copywriter: Ernest Kok
LePub Singapore, Client Services Director – Global Client: Francesca Babet
Publicis Singapore, Senior Account Director:Madonna Koh
LePub Singapore, Senior Project Manager: Farhan Wahab
Publicis Groupe APAC, Head of Creative Technology: Laurent Thevenet
Publicis Groupe ANZ, Creative Technology Director: Kiki Lauda
Prodigious Singapore, Senior Producer: Amelia Loh
Development: Utopia Lab
AR Developer: Pongsagon Vichitvejpaisal
AR Designer: Sufee Yama
Work Post
Editor: Fong
