Job Title:
Location-Based AR UX Designer/Engineer (Intern/Part-Time)
Overview:
GowanusAR is an interactive location-based AR project exploring the complex history, ecology, and speculative futures of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. Led by media artist Sarah Drury and in collaboration with a variety of local and creative stakeholders, we are developing an AR walking tour iOS app that features nuanced 3D animations, immersive soundscapes, and experiential storytelling to engage users in the canal’s layered past and imagined futures. This position offers hands-on experience with Unity, spatial UX design, AR development, and cutting-edge tools and plugins, with a focus on translating complex concepts into sophisticated, interactive prototypes.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate on the design and development of interactive AR scenes, from 2D wireframes in Figma to fully functional mobile AR scenes built using Unity and AR Foundation.
- Implement and refine Unity-based features, including 3D interactions, haptic feedback, geospatial mapping, and spatial audio.
- Work with Unity tools such as Muse AI x Animator x Timeline text-to-animation pipelines and custom plugins for realistic character and environmental effects (e.g., Zibra Liquid AI plugin for watery avatars).
- Develop C# scripts to enable custom touch interactions, inventory systems, and personalized user narratives.
- Assist in crafting compelling AR localization using Google Geospatial Creator, including refining and debugging on site at the Gowanus Canal.
- Help conduct user testing sessions with various stakeholders on site and iterate based on user feedback.
- Contribute to custom 3D asset design workflows, custom motion/animation design, and syncing voiceovers/text with multisensory elements.
- Help document design and development processes for exhibition materials and project showcases.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Familiarity with Unity and basic understanding of AR/3D design and development.
- Enthusiasm for learning technical art, animation systems, and AR tools like AR Foundation and ARKit.
- Basic programming experience in C# or willingness to dive deeper into coding.
- Openness to creatively engage with complex, interdisciplinary ideas in ecology, urban history, and speculative design.
- Strong attention to detail and collaborative mindset.
Preferred:
- Experience with Unity plugins such as Muse AI, Zibra Liquid AI, Google Geospatial Creator, and the iOS Core Haptics plugin.
- Skills in technical art workflows (including 3D modeling/texturing in Blender, Substance 3D Designer, etc.), Unity animation systems (e.g., Unity Animator, Timeline), or interactive storytelling techniques.
- 1+ years programming experience in C#.
- Skilled in Unity performance profiling and optimization, including memory and CPU/GPU usage analysis, reducing bottlenecks, and balancing visual fidelity with efficiency for AR/3D mobile platforms.
- Experience with version control (Github) and remote collaboration pipelines.
- Previous exposure to XR design, narrative media, or user testing.
Tools & Technologies You’ll Work With:
- Unity and C#
- AR Foundation, ARKit
- Zibra Liquid AI Plugin, Google Geospatial Creator
- Unity Muse, Timeline, Animator
- Core Haptics, Spatial Audio
- Text synchronization tools
- Unity’s profiling and debugging tools
What You’ll Gain:
- Experience co-designing and co-developing an AR app showcased at user testing tours (such as Gowanus Arts Open Studios), exhibitions, and locally on-demand.
- Mentorship and creative collaboration with artists, activists, designers, developers, and researchers.
- An opportunity to work on the cutting edge of AR, blending technical development with storytelling and design innovation.
- Skills in using Unity tools, animation pipelines, and AR plugins for bespoke interactive and immersive experiences.
Logistics:
Location: Remote with occasional in-person work/testing in Brooklyn, NY, if feasible.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week. Flexible scheduling.
Compensation: Hourly rate or project stipend, depending on experience.
How to Apply:
Please send your resume/portfolio and a brief description of your interest in the role to sdrury@temple.edu. Feel free to include links to any previous AR/3D projects or Unity prototypes.