# Nouns AR Lab Apps: $14k for Retro funding, and More experience. 

**TL;DR:**

- Background: [In a previous proposal](https://www.nouns.camp/proposals/574), we received 3 ETH to kickstart our AR project (3 Snapchat AR experiences) and 2 ETH to start a rounds.wtf contest to let community sharing their AR experiences.
- Focus on Accessibility: To address accessibility challenges in social AR—such as complex UIs and effect searches—we built a custom app using the new-released Snapchat’s Camera Kit SDK. This provides a Nouns-specific experience, making AR interactions accessible in just a few taps.
- MVP Launch: Our AR app is live now on Apps store with 16 interactive experiences showcasing Nouns projects, empowering the community to create, share, and spread Nouns in fun ways. Download it here: [Apps Store](https://apps.apple.com/id/app/nouns-ar-lab/id6737252963), and soon Google Play. (Quick Preview on [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lCws8_hSoi4))
- Delays with rounds.wtf: The contest is delayed due to technical challenges. 
- Funding Request: We’re requesting 14,000 USDC to retrofund AR Lab app development, maintain existing content, and add 6 new experiences (totaling 22+) within 3 months, and ensuring the app remains engaging and functional.


### **What’s New Since the First Proposal**

Since our first proposal, we’ve made  progress and pivoted based on community feedback:
- **From Snapchat to Standalone App** with Nouns-specific content: We shifted from creating filters/experiences inside Snapchat-only to building a dedicated app that sync with Snapchat to improve accessibility. 
- **MVP Apps Launched:** The app is live with 16 experiences, showcasing Nouns culture and projects in a fun, interactive way.
- **Expanded Vision:** We’re now focusing on creating 22+ experiences.
- Added focus on AR experiences that introduce the Nouns ecosystem and Incorporated contextual explanations and clickable links


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**Why We’re Prioritizing Accessibility**
Earlier this year, Snapchat made a game-changing move by publicly releasing their Camera Kit SDK - and this development couldn't have come at a better time for Nouns. Based on consistent community feedback, we recognized that while social AR platforms like Snapchat offer powerful technology, many Nouns community members either don't use Snapchat or find its interface challenging to navigate.

The SDK release solves this perfectly by allowing us to leverage Snapchat's AR technology (with its rich features and robust infrastructure) while building our own standalone apps, This means:

- No Snapchat account required - Making AR experiences accessible to all Nounsfolk
- Simplified user experience - Content creation through AR can now be done in just a few taps
- Branded environment - A dedicated Nouns AR space without competing platform distractions


This solution directly addresses the accessibility challenges our community faced, creating an on-ramp for anyone curious about Nouns AR experiences while maintaining the highest technical standards. The timing aligns perfectly with our goals to make Nouns AR more inclusive and user-friendly.


### **Why This Apps Matters**
The Nouns AR Lab is more than just an app—it’s a tool designed to:

- An App for Every Nouns Fans: Available to all community members through a simple installation.
- Make Nouns Weirder: The app encourages creativity and playfulness, embodying the weird spirit of Nouns.
- Empower User-Generated Content: With easy-to-use tools, and the app invites the entire community to making content, and transforming daily life into the world of noggles
- Connecting the Ecosystem
Direct link to nouns ecosystem portal like [nouns.world](https://nouns.world/) and key Nouns projects and story - each experience becomes a clickable gateway to deeper engagement with the broader Nouns universe.
- Acting as a Quick Portfolio: our AR UI serves as a dynamic showcase of what Nouns is all about, giving a bigger picture of the nouns ecosystem.


For some of the Nouns community, this is a tool to play, create, and share content. For new audiences, it’s a quick and engaging way to start discovering what Nouns is all about.

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### **Current Progress**
The MVP of our AR app is [live on Apps Store](https://apps.apple.com/id/app/nouns-ar-lab/id6737252963), featuring 16 interactive experiences that showcase Nouns projects and empower the community to create, share, and proliferate Nouns in fun and weird ways. Highlights :


![1](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1c3dYWpJg.png)
![2](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BychutWp1g.png)
![3](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BkcnuYb6yg.png)
![4](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Sys3_K-T1l.png)

- **Vitalik Buterin with Gold Noggles** (22.7k views on Snapchat)
- **Quack and Lola Plushies (Hand Tracking)** (38.k views)
- **Tornado Head** (19.2k views) , **Beer Head** (148k views) and **Black hole head traits** (24.1k views) 
- Try-On Experiences: **3D Printed Dress by Danit** (26k views), **Nouns Watch** (74k views), **Nouns GG Jersey** (18.9k)
- **Nouns Anime** (236k views)
- **Nouns Jumping game** (17k views)
- **Giant Nouns** (28k views)
- **Nouns AR World** (6k views)
- **Macaroni in the pot (from Nounish's three artist series)** (19k views)
- **Nouns companion** (82k views)
- **Nouns Glass Frog** (Coming Soon)

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### You can access the app here (iOS): [Apps Store](https://apps.apple.com/id/app/nouns-ar-lab/id6737252963)
### Preview nouns AR Lab apps on [YOUTUBE](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lCws8_hSoi4)

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### **Current Traction & Growth Potential**
- Early Adoption Phase: Since launch, we’ve seen 23 organic downloads—a good start for a niche AR app with minor marketing.
- Projected Growth: With the upcoming rounds.wtf contest (target: 160+ users) and Android release, we expect a 7x surge in engagement.
- Key Leverage: Snapchat’s existing AR audience (where our filters garnered 148k–236k views) gives us a ready funnel to convert into app users.


### **Technical Challenges and Delays**
We’ve delayed the rounds.wtf contest due to technical challenges, primarily the lack of a locking/hands-free recording button in Snapchat’s Camera Kit SDK. This feature is essential for full-body tracking experiences. The Snapchat SDK is relatively new (going public at the end of last year) and still has some bugs and limitations, which has impacted our development timeline.

While we’re actively working with Snapchat’s team to address this, we don’t yet have a confirmed timeline for when this feature will be available. If it isn’t ready by the time our proposal concludes (3 months), we’ll let the community decide between using our dedicated app or accessing the AR experiences directly through Snapchat lenses.

On the positive side, this delay allows us to expand the library of AR experiences, ensuring the eventual contest is even richer and more engaging with a wider variety of content.

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### **CC0 Assets: Open for the Community**
All assets created for the app—such as Vitalik Buterin with Gold Noggles and the Hyalinobatrachium Nouns Frog — will be shared on [CC0-lib.wtf](https://cc0-lib.wtf/) and Sketchfab.com This allows the community to freely use, remix, and build upon these assets, further proliferating Nouns culture.

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### **Our Ask**
We're requesting 14,000 USDC to retroactively fund the ongoing development of the Nouns AR Lab app. This allocation will cover:
#### **AR Experience Production ($8,000 - 57%)**

- New Experiences: 6 AR experiences @800 = 4,800 USD
(Includes 3D art, development, and testing)
- Maintenance: 16 existing experiences @200 = 3,200 USD
(Updates, compatibility fixes, and optimizations)

**Core Application Development ($6,000 - 43%)**

- backend infrastructure & scalability = $3,000
- UI/UX improvements & video system = $2,000
- Snapchat SDK integration = $1,000

We understand the current financial challenges facing Nouns and have carefully considered this request to ensure it’s reasonable.


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### **Roadmap**

Month 1: Releasing Android Version: We are currently on testing phase.
Month 1-3: Add 6 new AR experiences.
Month 3: Launch the rounds contest with 22+ experiences available to play with.

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### **Future Exploration and Innovation**
As the AR industry evolves, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve by exploring emerging trends and technologies. Our goal is to identify what’s trending—whether it’s new hardware, software, or creative applications—and find ways to apply it to the Nouns ecosystem.

**By adopting a retroactive funding model**, we can experiment with cutting-edge AR innovations without upfront costs, ensuring that only applicable projects receive funding. 

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Let’s make Nouns  fun for everyone ⌐◨-◨

Outcome: DEFEATED