About
Kristina Vilyams is an artist and designer focused on product design, digital fashion, and art direction. She crafts imaginative solutions for clients in the fields of fashion, beauty, and culture.
Building on her expertise in user experience design, Kristina expanded her practice to developing high-quality immersive experiences and virtual garments in digital fashion. She collaborates with brands and artists to showcase their products and stories in digital spaces, enhancing customer engagement.
Renowned for her pioneering work in AR virtual try-ons, Kristina has collaborated with esteemed designers and artists, including Susan Alexandra, Dollchunk, Gustaf Westman, JIU JIE, and Christen Mooney (widely known as ThugPop).
Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Australia, Yahoo, Curated Interior, and more, earning recognition for her innovative designs on Lenslist, a leading platform for Extended Reality.
Kristina has been appointed as a Mentor at Uxcel, the leading platform for User Experience Design Education. Trusted by over 300,000 learners worldwide, Uxcel is renowned for its comprehensive suite of tools aimed at mastering UX design.
Kristina Vilyams studied Art Direction for Fashion at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UAL).
Projects
Produced ‘The Original Knot,’ an AR virtual try-on effect for JIU JIE, a New York-based home goods label founded by Jeanette Reza. The project recreated the brand’s signature velvet and checkered designs, allowing users to integrate virtual knots into their interiors via smartphone.
Plane tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Designed and developed the ‘Your Misamisa’ AR virtual try-on experience that brings to life the unique style of Christen Mooney (ThugPop), a New York-based multidisciplinary artist, stylist, and musician known for collaborations with renowned fashion figures such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Lotta Volkova, Telfar, and Hood By Air. The try-on effect features 3D plastic tiaras and fairy fabric wings, allowing users to explore various style options in a playful, interactive format.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Designed and developed the ‘Doll Parts’ AR virtual try-on effect for Dollchunk, a New York-based accessories brand founded by fashion and beauty writer Kristen Bateman. The effect enables users to virtually explore 3D rings and experiment with various makeup options, enhancing brand awareness and customer engagement. ‘Doll Parts’ was recognized as the Best Branded Instagram Filter of 2022 by Lenslist.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Conceptualized, designed, and executed the ‘Tiny Joys’ and ‘Butterfly Effect’ Instagram try-on effects for Susan Alexandra, a distinguished New York-based accessories brand known for its eclectic beaded bags and accessories. Featuring 3D hair clips and customizable makeup options, the effects were designed to elevate user engagement and enhance the brand’s digital presence. Susan Alexandra’s iconic Butterfly Barrettes and Tiny Joys Studs, endorsed by notable figures such as Julia Fox, Kendall Jenner, Emma Chamberlain, Gigi Hadid, and Pete Davidson, took center stage in these experiences.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Designed and developed ‘Doll On a Farm,’ an enchanting AR experience that brings to life the unique style of Christen Mooney (ThugPop), a New York-based multidisciplinary artist, stylist, and musician known for collaborations with renowned fashion figures such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Lotta Volkova, Telfar, and Hood By Air. This immersive AR effect features a magical farm with interactive 3D animated objects, captivating global audiences. ‘Doll On a Farm’ was featured in Lenslist’s Weekly Selection #54 in 2021.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Designed and developed two custom AR effects as promotional content for Bella Killa, a Los Angeles-based music duo's debut album. Inspired by the iconic Bratz dolls, these filters feature 3D custom-developed accessories and play original songs from the album at random, creating an engaging and interactive user experience.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Designed and developed the ‘Zona Johna Buckethat’ AR try-on effect for Zona Johna, a renowned Warsaw-based sustainable clothing and accessories brand featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, and Glamour Poland. The effect provides customers with the unique opportunity to experience the brand’s latest product through augmented reality, enhancing the shopping experience from the comfort of their homes.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Collaborated with designer Gustaf Westman to create the captivating ‘Curvy Mirror’ AR effect for Instagram. This effect seamlessly brings the playful spirit of Westman’s iconic Curvy Mirror into the homes of the audience. Westman, a Stockholm-based architect-turned-furniture designer, embodies a design philosophy rooted in accessibility, vibrancy, and playfulness, drawing inspiration from Danish designer Arne Jacobsen and the renowned Memphis Group.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Conceptualized and developed the ‘Ouhlala Foam Mirror,’ an AR virtual try-on effect created in collaboration with Ouhlala Le Shop, a Paris-based online gallery and boutique that supports artists and designers bridging art and design. This whimsical experience brought the spirit of Ouhlala into people’s homes during the 2020 lockdown. The effect garnered over 31 million impressions on Instagram and was featured in Architectural Digest.
Face tracking · Effects · Mathematical Optimization · Meta Spark · AR effect · AR uses · XR spectrum · 2D & 3D Design · Augmented Reality (AR)
Side Projects
Designed the 'Telescope' music album cover for Midnight Mystery Club, a California based music band.
Designed the 'Cambria / At Risk Youth' music album cover for Banana Belt, a California based music band.
Designed the 'Blow My Mind' single cover for Midnight Mystery Club, a California based music band.
Designed the 'Keep a Beat' single cover for Midnight Mystery Club, a California based music band.
Exhibitions
Kristina Vilyams’ work for POP Magazine, created during the Art Direction for Fashion course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, is featured on Schelay McCarter’s Fashiontent blog. Titled “Sunset Grunge: California’s Shadowed Allure,” this editorial showcases the power of visual storytelling and embodies the raw, moody essence of California. The project was guided by the exceptional Schelay McCarter, Creative Director/Producer & Associate Lecturer at CSM.
Fashiontent, created by Schelay McCarter, is a dynamic platform for fashion communication and a bespoke enterprise dedicated to promoting emerging UK fashion brands both locally and internationally. The platform provides a blend of PR services and tailored solutions, including specialized advertising, branding concepts, and photoshoot production for top-tier clients such as Burberry, Kering Group, Inditex, British Fashion Council, LVMH, Farfetch, Marks and Spencer, Nike, H&M Group, All Saints, Amazon, and YOOX Net-a-Porter Group.
Kristina Vilyams’ digital creations are featured on XR Bazaar, a platform by Lenslist that celebrates innovation in the fields of virtual and augmented reality. XR Bazaar serves as a premier space for XR professionals and brands, showcasing groundbreaking work that pushes the boundaries of the Metaverse and Web3 technologies.
Awards
The work on the 'Doll Parts' created in collaboration with Dollchunk, a New York based accessories brand founded by Kristen Bateman, was included in the 'Best Branded Instagram Filter' of 2022 by Lenslist, a leading platform for Extended Reality.
The work on the ‘iPod Shuffle’ was featured in the ‘Weekly Selection #99’ of 2022 by Lenslist, a leading platform for Extended Reality.
The work on the ‘DOLL ON A FARM’ for Christen Mooney, widely known as ThugPop, was featured in the ‘Weekly Selection #54’ of 2021 by Lenslist, a leading platform for Extended Reality.
Work Experience
• Continued to conduct user research, informing and validating design decisions for product enhancements.
• Provided detailed visual and interaction design for web and mobile products, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Designed intuitive and user-friendly mobile applications, enhancing overall usability and functionality.
• Developed basic HTML/CSS templates for emails and landing pages, ensuring consistent branding and messaging.
• Developed visually engaging identity materials, including banner ads, fact sheets, and other graphic materials.
• Provided detailed visual and interaction design for web and mobile products, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Created compelling digital marketing materials to support promotional campaigns and drive customer engagement.
• Designed intuitive and user-friendly mobile applications, focusing on enhancing usability and functionality.
• Spearheaded the redesign of the mobile interface to optimize user interactions.
• Implemented innovative UX strategies to elevate conversion rates and user satisfaction.
• Ensured a seamless and intuitive user journey for enhanced engagement and usability.
• Redesigned the Advoz App for iOS, introducing intuitive user interfaces and ensuring seamless user experiences.
• Developed comprehensive storyboards and meticulous mockups to visualize and refine the app's interface and functionality.
• Created interactive prototypes of design modules, showcasing the app's interactivity and demonstrating its functionality to stakeholders.
Led a development company, overseeing the creation of high-quality and scalable mobile and web applications.
Education
Certificate of Attendance: Kristina Vilyams has successfully completed the Art Direction for Fashion short course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
Kristina Vilyams has successfully completed six weeks of study in the Art Direction for Fashion course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. This comprehensive program provided a practical introduction to art direction in the fashion industry, covering project management in fashion media and communication. During the course, Kristina gained in-depth knowledge of the history and impact of fashion photography, developed essential skills in interpreting briefs, casting, collaborating with creative professionals, and managing the production aspects of a fashion shoot. The course also emphasized the role of the Art Director, equipping participants with the tools to create compelling narratives, inspire audiences, and deliver images that drive engagement and sales.
Image Strategy · Visual Identity · Story Telling · Marketing Campaigns · Fashion Branding · Exhibition Curation · Brand Identity · Book and Magazine Art Direction · Website Design · Window Display and Installation · Advertising · Digital Creative Content · Editorial · Packaging · Web and Book Design
User Experience Design
Kristina Vilyams has studied UX Design at Uxcel, a prominent platform for User Experience Design education. In January 2024, she was appointed as a Mentor at Uxcel, which supports over 300,000 learners globally. This role highlights Kristina’s dedication to sharing her expertise and guiding the next generation of UX designers.
AI in UX/UI Design · HTML · CSS · Wireframing · UX Design Patterns · Service Design · UX Research · Mobile Design · UI Components · Design Composition · Color Psychology · Design Accessibility · Typography · UX Writing · Common Design Patterns · Design Terminology · Design Mentorship Mastery · Design Workshop Facilitation · Design Thinking
Digital Fashion Design
Kristina Vilyams has successfully completed advanced training in digital fashion design through courses issued by Browzwear University. These courses provided Kristina with comprehensive knowledge in creating 3D fashion garments, including pattern-making, digital prototyping using VStitcher software, and simulation techniques. She gained expertise in producing realistic and intricate 3D fashion models, blending design principles with innovative technology to enhance her craft. This training has strengthened Kristina’s ability to develop cutting-edge digital fashion solutions that meet the dynamic demands of the industry and contribute to the future of fashion design.
3D Garments · Digital Fashion · Fashion Design · 3D Fashion Design · Pattern Making
Certificate of Completion: Kristina Vilyams has successfully completed the Digital Fashion Innovation online specialization at Parsons School of Design - The New School.
Kristina Vilyams has successfully completed the online non-credit specialization Digital Fashion Innovation, issued by Parsons School of Design - The New School. The program explored innovative approaches to addressing global supply chain challenges, enhancing sustainability, and transitioning the fashion industry into a digital future. Kristina gained knowledge of digital transformation in fashion, key players and software leading this change, and the integration of digital and physical fashion through avatars, Metahumans, and the Metaverse.
Digitalization in Fashion · Digital Transformation in Fashion · Digital Fashion Design · Fashion Merchandising · Fashion E-Commerce
Certifications
Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Specialization
Art History · Art · Design and Product · Critical Thinking · Creativity · History · Photography · Museums
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Data Analysis · SQL · Data Visualization · Business Analysis · Spreadsheet Software
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
Wireframe · UX Research · User Experience (UX) · Prototype · User Experience Design (UXD)
Digital Fashion Innovation Specialization
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) · Blockchain · Fashion E-Commerce · 3D Fashion Design · Digital Fashion Design
Certificate of Completion in 3D Fashion Design Using VStitcher
3D Garments · Digital Fashion · Fashion Design · 3D Fashion Design · Pattern Making