Hello!

I’m Kathryn Hicks

I’m the Founder of Creature Studio, I lead a team creating character-driven augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (XR) experiences for brands like HBO, Snapchat, and Hilton. With nine years of experience in XR, I also serve as Co-Founder and Chief of Games and Technology at BVO, leading tech teams—including Creature Studio—to develop "Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time", a groundbreaking, location-based immersive experience that feels like stepping into an open-world video game.

XR: Extended Reality - an umbrella term for all immersive technologies. This includes augmented reality (AR) virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR)

3D Modeling

Lighting

XR Design

Selected features

Highlights from a Dragon's Treasure Trove of Immersive Creations

Celebrating Black History Month With Black SLN Creators
(Article)

In honor of Black History Month, Snapchat partnered with Black AR creators from the Snap Lens Network to build a Lens Collection exploring and celebrating the rich history of Black culture.

Custom Landmarkers bring the dragons of Westeros to AR
(Video)

Snapchat's Lens Fest shared the House of the Dragon Custom Landmarker promo video, which is on YouTube. I'm featured in the video along with other creators.

MEMernet IRL: Snapchat Filter Creator Brings House of the Dragon to Mud Island

(Article)

Hicks is a certified Snapchat augmented reality (AR) creator. She was recently hired by Snapchat in partnership with HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon for a global project to land virtual dragons “in some of the most beloved destinations around the world,” Snapchat said. Hicks said she was “super excited” to get the call.

Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves Effect Challenge | TikTok Effect House | Runner-Up Winner
(Social)

I was the runner-up winner for the TikTok Effect House Dungeons & Dragons Challenge. My filter was inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons second-level spell barkskin and is listed as Barkskin Face by @gokatcreate

Snapchat - Black History Month 2021
(Social Video)

“It’s surreal to know that my Lens will be out in the world for people to play and utilize in their space.”

Meet Kathryn Hicks, VR designer and 3D generalist - Mastered

(Blog)

Why job titles don’t always tell the whole story - and her process for crafting visual stories.

SPOTLIGHT: Kathryn Hicks AR/VR Designer on new work and inspiration, open source creation tools - Zero to Start VR Podcast: Unity development from concept to Oculus test channel
(Podcast)

Stepping into the spotlight Kathryn Hicks, AR/VR Designer at the Danse shares how the Savannah College of Art and Design led her to virtual reality, igniting the creation of her first animated 360 film, Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple.

My Thoughts on Immersive Tech
(Blog)
Immersive Directory

Speaking

Where the Dragon's Voice Soars, Sharing Insights on Immersive Experiences

Upcoming

• TBA (2024)

Past

• Guest Speaker - Code Crew Code School: Girls Make Games Meetup (July 2024)

• AIA Memphis - AI Tools: Creative Workflows (July 2024)

• Epicenter Memphis - Finding Your Niche (July 2024)

• BDPA / South Regional Conference - What the Heck is XR? (June 2024)

• Ole Miss - The Greater Memphis Coffee Galaxy [AI & XR] (Jan 2023)

• AAF Baton Rouge - Designing for AR in Advertising (Dec 2022)

• AAF Memphis - Designing for AR in Advertising
  (Aug 2022)

• Boycott Coffee - Sippin Sixteen Midjourney [ ai art ] Iced Coffee Adventures (Aug 2022)

• TAILORU Collective - Practice of AR/VR Design
  (Jan 2022)

• Mastered - Practice of AR/VR Design (Nov 2021)

• Gameheads of Oakland  - Practice of AR/VR Design (Nov 2021)

• SCAD GamingFest - Georgia Game Development: Immersive Tech in 2021 (Apr 2021)

• Startup Grind Memphis - Changing Reality: Educating, Creating, & Entertaining in VR / AR (Jul 2020)

Honorable Guest

• Future Making Envisioning Alternative (Equitable) Futures - Class Critique at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (Dec 2020)