Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Louise Royer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Louise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My purpose in my work is to convey messages and bring smiles to people’s faces. As I travel frequently and have loved ones scattered across three continents, it’s challenging to make them smile from afar. My joy comes from seeing others happy, which drives me to create engaging content like social media posts and XR. The latter is Extended Reality, blending Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) for immersive experiences.
One of the projects I recently worked on was an Augmented Reality 3D Runner Game called Ocean Run, created for an environmental company focusing on plastic pollution. The game’s goal is to catch plastic and avoid turtles, with the aim of raising awareness about this critical issue. You can play it through this link: https://www.instagram.com/ar/917114266219534/
This project allows people to experience fun, smile, and learn about the importance of tackling plastic pollution. The inspiration for this game came from my travel experiences, particularly a conversation with a local in Curaçao who explained how plastic pollution affects the turtles on the island.
In summary, my mission is focused on creating online content that brings joy to people while simultaneously promoting brand awareness and raising awareness about environmental issues. I enjoy using creativity to convey this message, spreading smiles, joy, and happiness.
Louise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Louise Royer, a French national who has lived in Hong Kong for eight years and Los Angeles for five years. My diverse background and travel experiences have allowed me to connect with friends and family worldwide, immersing myself in their cultures. My passion lies in meeting new people, learning about their perspectives and cultures, and creating projects that bridge physical barriers, convey stories, and bring joy to people’s lives.
These experiences helped me grow into a more positive and self-assured person, which reflected in my personality and work. I eventually discovered my passion for UX/UI/XR design, which led me to establish my own business. Over time, I have collaborated with various brands, including creating an AR effect for McLaren Formula 1, working as a lead UX/UI designer and content manager for an online magazine, I attend events, capture photos and videos, and then edit them, developing Virtual Reality experiences using Unity and Unreal Engine, and creating Instagram and TikTok Effects (@louise.ryr).
What distinguishes me is being seen as a versatile “Swiss army knife.” I excel in video editing, Photoshop, creating immersive experiences in Unreal Engine and Unity, AR filters, motion graphics, coding in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, social media, and more. My filmmaking, multimedia and animation major, along with my passion for learning new software and hobbies, has honed these skills.
I discovered my interest in 3D modeling and programming, leading me to create a successful banana world project for my final assignment which gained 3rd place award out of more than 1300 submissions. This experience boosted my confidence and sparked my love for 3D and coding. I then challenged myself further, and won a hackathon, Girls in Tech San Francisco, in UX/UI design.
If you are interested in working with me on an Augmented Reality Effect, Virtual Experience, Video Editing, UX/UI design, or Photoshop, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I used to be extremely shy. My university teacher informed me about the MIT Reality Hack, an annual XR hackathon lasting five days in January 2023. I decided to attend as a volunteer to witness the latest XR technologies and meet professionals in the field.
As a volunteer, my responsibilities included check-in, providing directions and information to sponsors, mentors, and hackers. During the event, I proactively engaged with sponsors and hackers, learning about their software, missions, and ambitions. It was during one such conversation that I discovered Effect House, the software used for creating AR Effects on Tik Tok.
Even in my volunteer role, I managed to connect with many people, making friends whom I continued to meet at other events and collaborate with. This experience helped me transform from a shy person to an outgoing individual. My passion for learning about new software and XR drove me to ask numerous questions, completely forgetting about my previous shyness. Impressed by my outgoing personality, the organizers approached me to conduct interviews with the hackers, sponsors, and mentors for a video they were producing. I enthusiastically accepted the offer as it allowed me to acquire more knowledge about the XR field.
These events became invaluable opportunities for me to immerse myself in XR, collaborate with others, and stay updated on emerging technologies. Engaging actively and participating in such events helped me build resilience and break the barriers of shyness.
For those struggling with shyness, I encourage stepping out of your comfort zone, exploring new environments, participating actively, and even going on solo trips. These experiences can be transformative, enabling personal growth and resilience.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In Los Angeles, a new city where I had no connections, I faced the challenge of discovering my true passion. Initially studying Filmmaking, I found my satisfaction only in video editing and cinematography. Struggling with homesickness and a sense of direction during my first year, I decided to switch my major to multimedia in hopes of pursuing video editing. However, adjusting to a new university remained difficult, and I still felt lost. When the pandemic struck during my sophomore year, I returned to Hong Kong to be with my family and started a video and photo editing business. Thanks to my freshman year as a filmmaking major, I developed skills in video editing, photo editing, filming, photography, and storytelling.
During my junior year, I attended remote classes from France, working at night due to the time difference. I discovered a genuine love for 3D and coding that didn’t feel like work at all. I enjoy 3D and coding more than filmmaking because I appreciate the simplicity and limitless possibilities of 3D. As for coding, I find it enjoyable due to the challenges and the satisfaction of making the code work. The best part is when I see my JavaScript design or AR effects working seamlessly. The sense of accomplishment at that moment is truly rewarding.
I found my passion in UX/UI/XR design and established my own business collaborating with various brands. Throughout the journey, I made numerous friends and connections. I also learned the importance of trying different hobbies to find one’s passion and the value of seeking help when creating great projects.
During university, it is a moment where people have the opportunity to discover their true self and passion by exploring various hobbies as well as studying diverse subjects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royerlouise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louise.ryr/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-royer-479a83178/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/royerlouise_