Chuah Kwai Pin / 0348376
Advanced Interactive Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1: Interactive AR Application
LECTURES
Week 1:
We were briefed about the module outline and our lecturer showed us some
examples of works that we have to do for our tasks. We were also tasked to
do some research on existing TikTok / IG filters and try them out. For our
TikTok Filter ideas, we have to think of 3 that fits into 1 of the 4
categories, including Interactive Game, Randomiser, Fashion & Beauty and
also 3D AR.
Week 2:
We tried exploring TikTok Effect House today, a software that we will have
to use to create our TikTok filters. It was difficult to navigate without
watching a tutorial, so we went to the Effect house website and followed a
worded tutorial on how to create mini clones.
Week 5:
We had a TikTok workshop for this week and were briefed about the TikTok
filter contest requirements. It was a very insightful sharing and we also
got to create our own TikTok filters using TikTok Create.
Week 6-12:
We began working on our finalized TikTok filter ideas and had consultation sessions with our lecturer through physical and online modes. In weeks 6-8, it was more of exploring Effect House and seeing whether or not our TikTok filter can be made. In weeks 9-12, we were all having individual consultations so that we can solve any problems that we have faced while making the filter.
TASKS
Exercises
Week 1: TikTok Filter Ideas
Link to presentation slides:
Tiktok Filter Ideas
Week 2: TikTok Filter Tryout
For this week, we began exploring TikTok Effect House, a software that we
will have to use to create our TikTok filter. It was quite challenging to
navigate at first, but we managed to make a basic face distortion filter
and test it out on TikTok.
As we were slowly getting familiar with the software, we were given a
small exercise to follow a tutorial on how to make clones of ourselves.
The step-by-step tutorial was clear and straightforward, and we were able
to make the clone filter within 30 minutes.
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| Fig. 1.1 Effect House Tutorial |
Fig. 1.2 TikTok Filter testing
Weeks 6-12: The Making of Teh Tarik Filter
For my Teh Tarik Filter Idea, I began looking for references and any tutorials I could find on YouTube and Effect House Discord. However, I could not find any similar effects that I could reference in my visual scripting. Hence, I have decided to do a little exploration and try to make my filter from scratch.
To begin, since my filter will be triggered by a face movement, I managed to find a Face Movement Detection. I used "open mouth" as the facial movement and then linked it to a Set Transform action. This is to test if the object can move or tilt upon detecting an opened mouth.
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Fig. 2.1 Open Mouth Tilting Tryout |
Once that was settled, I then planned out what other steps I need in order to get the filter to work:
- Starting Game Board will show and disappear after 3s.
- A metal mug and a cup with the dotted line will be shown on the screen.
- When mouth opens, teh tarik will be poured, and animation of teh tarik filling the cup will be played.
- When the mouth closes, teh tarik animation will stop
- If teh tarik animation stops below or beyond the dotted line, a losing panel will be shown
- If teh tarik animation stops on the dotted line, a winning panel will be shown
- Once the mouth closes, a try again button will appear to reset the game
I also began working on my assets on Adobe Illustrator. I kept it simple using shades of brown colours that remind me of teh tarik. I also used images of typical metal mugs that are used to make the teh tarik drink and also a glass cup that we always see in mamak stores.
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| Fig. 2.2 Filter Assets |
First Trial (Week 9-10)
During my first attempt, I managed to import all of my assets, including my animation sequence. Most of the visual scripting could work, but I could not figure out how to do steps 5-7 correctly. The winning and losing panels would show together when the mouth closes, which is not supposed to happen since only one panel should be shown at the end. After trying to figure it out for a few days, I decided to text my lecturer for some help.
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| Fig. 2.3 First Trial |
Second Trial (Week 10-12)
After receiving help and guidance from my lecturer, I then started my filter from scratch again to prevent any errors that I have missed out. This time, I made use of a lot of sequence nodes which helped to organise and simplify my visual scripting more.
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| Fig. 2.4 Second Trial |
For the section that I had troubles with, my lecturer advised that I use Animated Texture Info and Equal: Number node to fix my visual scripting. This way, it will be more accurate to count the number of frames in the animated texture to decide which panel will be shown.
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After fixing the visual scripting, I wanted to add sound effects to the filter to make it more fun. For that, I went online to search for a losing and applause sound effect.
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| Fig. 2.6 Visual Scripting for Losing Sound Effect |
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| Fig. 2.7 Visual Scripting for Winning Sound Effect |
FINAL OUTCOMES
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| Fig. 3.1 TikTok Filter- Tarik Je La |
FEEDBACK
Week 6
Go with the teh tarik idea. Figure out the mechanisms on how the filter will work. There should be a timer for when the cup starts the animation once the players tilt their heads. Start working on the 2D version first, and if there is time, can try to explore with 3D elements.
Week 10
Need to change the approach for the mechanism to work. No need to include so many face movement detections, make use of sequence. Use "Do Once" node to reset the game once it ends.
REFLECTION
Experience
I have always been intrigued by the diversity of TikTok filters, but I have never imagined myself to be creating one from scratch. It was my first time hearing Effect House and using the app to create a filter. When I first downloaded it, I was really lost with all of the unfamiliar panels and visual scripting nodes that we have to use. It was not easy to learn within a few days, but watching tutorials did help me get more comfortable with the app. There were many challenges faced when doing this assignment of course, but I am glad there was a solution to most of it. It gave me a lot of headaches, but I enjoyed the process of learning how to create a TikTok filter.
Observation
Sometimes I look back at my ideas and wonder if it was better if I went with something easier and more manageable, but then it would not be as challenging and meaningful to me. I guess I must have really wanted to see my ideas come to life, and so I persevered through the process of creating them. There were many times when I kept doubting myself and wanted to give up, but then at those times as well I tell myself to keep pushing because I am "almost there". In the end, I was so glad that my filter works without much problems.
Findings
I find that the visuals of the filter are what appeals to and attracts the users of TikTok. Most users like cute and funny filters, which is what makes them come back for more. For my filter, I have tried to keep it as simple as possible, but I was not very sure whether it would attract users to try it out. It seems like the current trend in TikTok filters are quizzes, randomizers, and also funny faces that make people laugh. For game filters, it is only fun if there are different levels of difficulty to challenge yourself or others with. I believe that if I had the time and skills to improve on my filter, add more levels and attractive visuals, it would receive better engagement with the TikTok audience. However, being able to publish my filter on such a big platform already feels like a great achievement to me, which is why I would like to thank myself for not giving up midway and also my lecturer for helping me find a solution to my problems.
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