Creative Technologies students at UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts collaborated with FuzzPop Workshop to create Sonic Drifters, an Android app for Radiant Echoes, the interactive art installation featured at Summerfest 2026.
Using augmented reality, the app added a digital layer to the 25-foot installation, allowing Festivalgoers to discover virtual sculptures and interactive elements woven throughout the physical artwork.
Led by Dr. Dr. Oksana Kryzhanivska, a team of students designed digital sculptures that expanded the installation’s immersive world. Radiant Echoes featured over 1,000 sculptural flora, 20 hidden faces, live dance performances, and more.
The collaboration grew from a three-year partnership between FuzzPop Workshop and Summerfest. FuzzPop founder Daniel Murray approached Kryzhanivska with the idea to incorporate augmented reality into this year’s installation.
“I have known Daniel Murray for a few years now, and we have been hoping to collaborate for a while,” Dr. Kryzhanivska said. “With the “Radiant Echoes” installation, Daniel envisioned an AR component and approached me in Spring 2026.”
Working closely with FuzzPop Workshop, students translated the installation’s aesthetic and spatial concepts into digital experiences by prototyping, designing, and animating 3D assets for Sonic Drifters.
Senior Studio Art BFA student Brayan Garcia helped lead the artistic direction of the project. He was responsible for bringing the app’s entities to life.
“The role I played in the team was creating some concept art for the 3D models for the project,” said Garcia. “I created 3D models based on those drawings, textured and animated them, then tested them in Unity to make sure the models work well together for the AR experience.”
As he watched the creation of the exhibit in real-time, Garcia was able to pinpoint a style to base his models around.
“Having been able to see the work in progress of the sculptures was beneficial when it came to having to consider the overall scale of the project,” Garcia said. “Having such a distinct style helped with being able to consider the overall form and color palette of what the 3D models should feel and look like in AR.”
Senior Studio Art BFA student Mady Jean created a low-poly insect that appears in the background of the installation. The idea for the critter came from one of Jean’s earlier projects.
“I modeled, textured, and animated a low-poly insect that can be seen floating in the distance of the AR scene,” Jean said. “The creature was a continuation of a project that I had been developing throughout the semester, inspired by the early concepts of Radiant Echoes.
Jean said the collaboration gave her an opportunity to share her work with a large public audience while gaining experience working with a professional creative studio.
“I’ve never had my art displayed for an audience of this scale before, and considering how new I am to 3D modeling, I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to get involved in something so unique and engaging,” Jean said.
“Working with a large studio is a pretty monumental moment in my career. I’m glad to be given the chance to work with such a fun and innovative group of artists and hope to be given the chance to collaborate with them on future projects!”
Radiant Echoes was available for all three weekends of Summerfest. For more information and to experience the reality of Sonic Drifters, visit touchsoundart.
Story by Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)