AR in Google Search: Bringing Japanese Summer Traditions to Life

Google Creative Lab project , in collaboration with Google Search.

Bug catching, a quintessential summer activity in Japan, frequently appears throughout Japanese pop culture, and searches for many insects spike during the summer season. To bring these beloved seasonal insects to life and offer users a delightful learning experience amid the Covid-19 lockdowns, we integrated 23 AR models of popular insects into Google Search.

As the creative director, I co-led the project alongside the executive producer of Google Creative Lab. Leveraging my personal and cultural insights into Japanese culture, I identified the opportunity and conceived the original idea. I provided creative direction for the 3D asset production and UX design, working collaboratively with the product team to deliver the design assets. Additionally, I spearheaded the go-to-market strategy and provided creative direction on producing the marketing materials.

Learn more about the project background at https://www.takashikawashima.com/ar-in-google-search-summer-insects