Time for an
AR Lens Challenge.
AR Lens Challenge.
The official challenge theme will be revealed on March 27, 2026 at our Challenge Brief and Ideation session. Check back here to see the prompt that will inspire your Lens creation!
Your work will be reviewed by a panel of Snap AR experts based on the following standards:
Everyone who completes the Challenge will create a fully functional Snap lens that could be included as an impressive piece in their portfolios. As a bonus, we’ll also be offering select prizes to winners of the Final Project Showcase:
We encourage you to be original and develop a concept that is truly unique to your community. While you are free to use AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, your final creation must be rooted in authentic human experience.
Judges will be looking for original concepts that demonstrate creativity, a clear voice, and, most importantly, authenticity. Your Lens should feel like it was created from the heart of the community it represents, not just for a contest.
Before finishing, run a final quality check to ensure your Lens meets the professional standards for the April 8, 2026 submission deadline.
Check out these resources to help you unite Snapchatters through Fall Festivities:
Before you finish, ensure you have gathered the following materials. When you are ready, click on the "Submission" tab on this page for comprehensive directions on publishing your Lens to Snapchat and uploading your final files.
Deadline: All materials must be submitted via the Submission tab by April 8, 2026.
To help you balance complexity with quality, here are a few examples of Lenses that focus on a single, well-executed idea. These examples demonstrate how using Lens Studio Templates effectively can create a professional-grade experience without over-engineering the logic.
This Lens uses facial tracking to apply elegant digital jewelry and a themed mask. It’s a great example of using 2D assets to enhance a user's appearance.
Focusing on head-binding and environment, this Lens attaches a detailed floral crown to the user while shifting the background to create a cohesive theme.
This "Face In Picture" design shows how a high-quality border asset can transform a standard selfie into a themed portrait.
By utilizing hand-tracking technology, this Lens precisely applies intricate patterns to the user's palms, showing the power of segmentation.
A celebratory Lens that combines a graphic overlay with animated visual effects to set a specific mood.
Submit your final Challenge Lens to Snap for approval by Monday, April 6th at 11:59 pm PT/2:59 am ET
👻 When you are finished, submit your Lens to be officially published on Snap.
For more support in publishing your lens and getting Snap approval, watch this video:
Once the Lens has been accepted and published, download its Snapcode (when scanned, the Snapcode will link to your Lens). Here’s an example:
Submit your approved Challenge Lens to the Snap AR Lens Challenge Team and complete the exit survey by Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT/2:59 am ET.
For the AR Lens Challenge Submission, please include:
If any questions come up throughout the submission process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ARLensChallenge@nextshiftlearning.com.
Best of luck in designing and submitting your final Lens!