Spatial Designer. Marketing.
Google Maps AR Integration
Designing a first-ever AR activation inside Google Maps Platform— in time for the Paris Olympics.
Work
About
Contact
The Goal
Context & Brief
To design immersive 3D geospatial AR experiences integrating cultural landmarks into Google Maps, showcased for I/O 2024 in collaboration with Google AR/VR, Arts & Culture.
Challenge
Rebuild 16 Paris icons (Eiffel Tower, 1900 Expo pavilions, etc.) in <20 MB assets that load instantly for a billion users, and produce a premium showcase video for Google I/O 2024.
KPI
Position Google Maps as a simple platform for immersive, brandable interactions that let cities and brands market to consumers.
Solution
Conceived a way to to time-travel.
Concepted and designed geospatial AR experiences within Google Maps, transforming everyday navigation into immersive journeys through 1900s Paris and 1789 Notre Dame—advancing AR’s accessibility and discoverability for a billion-plus users.
Seeing never-built Eiffel design concepts from 1900
Search a landmark in Maps ➜ tap “AR Experience” ➜ View AR through the camera or remotely via Street View.
Found a way to view Paris through time.
Created an immersive AR experience that reimagines 1900-era Paris—letting users explore alternate Eiffel Tower designs and rediscover the ephemeral pavilions of the Exposition Universelle.
Eiffel Revitalized | Inspiration
These immersive experiences — available right from Google Maps — let you experience Parisian landmarks in new ways.
View on Maps, From Wherever
Designed the experience for users to step into the AR experience wherever they are, seamlessly integrated within Google Maps’ Street View.
Geospatial Tour Guide, At Location
Prioritized visual excellence—crafting a composition that felt both cinematic and emotionally resonant.
Results
Here are the results post go live
Process
Sneak peak into the process of how this pieced together.
Tools
Figma, Adobe Aero, Photoshop, Illustrator
Testimonials
Patrick Johnson
CEO of Rock Paper Reality
‘Başak Akman for designing a beautiful, intuitive UI—and for stepping in front of the camera in Paris”
Link to post ->
Jenny Sun
Product Manager at Google
“We envision entertainment, travel, education, arts, retail, and many more experiences. This is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Google Maps and geospatial AR community.”
Media and PR
Here’s what people are saying
Google Maps Introduces AR For Paris Landmarks With Rock Paper Reality
RPR teamed up with Google AR & VR and Google Arts and Culture to launch and promote a world-first AR activation in Google Maps, in Paris.
Link to Article →
Google AR at I/O 2024: New Geospatial AR features and more- Google Developers Blog
We've been exploring new ways to create engaging, easy to use, and shareable experiences and connect your Geospatial AR creations with more users.
Link to Article ->
Explore new augmented reality features in Google Maps
Google Maps now offers AR content at historical Parisian landmarks with Google Arts & Culture and Ubisoft.
Link to Article ->
Work
About
Contact
Spatial Designer. Marketing.
Google Maps AR Integration
Designing a first-ever AR activation inside Google Maps Platform— in time for the Paris Olympics.
The Goal
Context & Brief
To design immersive 3D geospatial AR experiences integrating cultural landmarks into Google Maps, showcased for I/O 2024 in collaboration with Google AR/VR, Arts & Culture.
Challenge
Rebuild 16 Paris icons (Eiffel Tower, 1900 Expo pavilions, etc.) in <20 MB assets that load instantly for a billion users, and produce a premium showcase video for Google I/O 2024.
KPI
Position Google Maps as a simple platform for immersive, brandable interactions that let cities and brands market to consumers.
Solution
Conceived a way to to time-travel.
Concepted and designed geospatial AR experiences within Google Maps, transforming everyday navigation into immersive journeys through 1900s Paris and 1789 Notre Dame—advancing AR’s accessibility and discoverability for a billion-plus users.
Seeing never-built Eiffel design concepts from 1900
Search a landmark in Maps ➜ tap “AR Experience” ➜ View AR through the camera or remotely via Street View.
Found a way to view Paris through time.
Created an immersive AR experience that reimagines 1900-era Paris—letting users explore alternate Eiffel Tower designs and rediscover the ephemeral pavilions of the Exposition Universelle.
Seeing the World
Designed the experience for users to step into the AR experience wherever they are, seamlessly integrated within Google Maps’ Street View.
Geospatial Tour Guide
Prioritized visual excellence—crafting a composition that felt both cinematic and emotionally resonant.
Eiffel Revitalized | Inspiration
These immersive experiences — available right from Google Maps — let you experience Parisian landmarks in new ways.
Results
Here are the results post go live
Process
Sneak peak into the process of how this pieced together.
Tools
Figma, Adobe Aero, Photoshop, Illustrator
Testimonials
A little line about what’s being said and who’s saying it.
Patrick Johnson
CEO of Rock Paper Reality
‘Başak Akman for designing a beautiful, intuitive UI—and for stepping in front of the camera in Paris”
Link to post ->
Jenny Sun
Product Manager at Google
“We envision entertainment, travel, education, arts, retail, and many more experiences. This is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Google Maps and geospatial AR community.”
Media and PR
Here’s what people are saying
Google Maps Introduces AR For Paris Landmarks With Rock Paper Reality
RPR teamed up with Google AR & VR and Google Arts and Culture to launch and promote a world-first AR activation in Google Maps, in Paris.
Link to Article →
Google AR at I/O 2024: New Geospatial AR features and more- Google Developers Blog
We've been exploring new ways to create engaging, easy to use, and shareable experiences and connect your Geospatial AR creations with more users.
Link to Article ->
Explore new augmented reality features in Google Maps
Google Maps now offers AR content at historical Parisian landmarks with Google Arts & Culture and Ubisoft.
Link to Article ->
Work
About
Contact
Spatial Designer. Marketing.
Google Maps AR Integration
Designing a first-ever AR activation inside Google Maps Platform— in time for the Paris Olympics.
The Goal
Context & Brief
To design immersive 3D geospatial AR experiences integrating cultural landmarks into Google Maps, showcased for I/O 2024 in collaboration with Google AR/VR, Arts & Culture.
Challenge
Rebuild 16 Paris icons (Eiffel Tower, 1900 Expo pavilions, etc.) in <20 MB assets that load instantly for a billion users, and produce a premium showcase video for Google I/O 2024.
KPI
Position Google Maps as a simple platform for immersive, brandable interactions that let cities and brands market to consumers.
Solution
Conceived a way to to time-travel.
Concepted and designed geospatial AR experiences within Google Maps, transforming everyday navigation into immersive journeys through 1900s Paris and 1789 Notre Dame—advancing AR’s accessibility and discoverability for a billion-plus users.
Seeing never-built Eiffel design concepts from 1900
Search a landmark in Maps ➜ tap “AR Experience” ➜ View AR through the camera or remotely via Street View.
Found a way to view Paris through time.
Created an immersive AR experience that reimagines 1900-era Paris—letting users explore alternate Eiffel Tower designs and rediscover the ephemeral pavilions of the Exposition Universelle.
Experience, without Travel
Designed the experience for users to step into the AR experience wherever they are, seamlessly integrated within Google Maps’ Street View.
Geospatial Tour Guide
Prioritized visual excellence—crafting a composition that felt both cinematic and emotionally resonant.
Eiffel Revitalized | Inspiration
Used AR to revive the history of the Eiffel Tower—merging historical storytelling with Google’s latest geospatial technology.
Results
Here are the results post go live
Process
Sneak peak into the process of how this pieced together.
Tools
Figma, Adobe Aero, Photoshop, Illustrator
Testimonials
A little line about what’s being said and who’s saying it.
Patrick Johnson
CEO of Rock Paper Reality
‘Başak Akman for designing a beautiful, intuitive UI—and for stepping in front of the camera in Paris”
Jenny Sun
Product Manager at Google
“We envision entertainment, travel, education, arts, retail, and many more experiences. This is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Google Maps and geospatial AR community.”
Media and PR
Here’s what people are saying
Google Maps Introduces AR For Paris Landmarks With Rock Paper Reality
RPR teamed up with Google AR & VR and Google Arts and Culture to launch and promote a world-first AR activation in Google Maps, in Paris.
Link to Article →
Google AR at I/O 2024: New Geospatial AR features and more- Google Developers Blog
We've been exploring new ways to create engaging, easy to use, and shareable experiences and connect your Geospatial AR creations with more users.
Link to Article →
Explore new augmented reality features in Google Maps
Google Maps now offers AR content at historical Parisian landmarks with Google Arts & Culture and Ubisoft.
Link to Article →
