Primary research-how the snapchat filters altered my own face

In order to gather a greater understanding upon how filters manipulate the face to promote beauty, primary research was conducted whereby I explored with a range of filters and highlighted the ways in which this altered my face.

The face shape was manipulated, promoting a larger forehead, and a narrowing of the cheeks. The skin was also manipulated in order to express a smooth, clear finish. Highlight was also used in order to brighten the skin, in turn promoting youth. The lips were also increased in size.

The eyes were largely increased, with the iris being manipulated in order to promote water. This in turn relating to the water characteristic at the lower page. A backing light was added behind the protagonists head in order to promote an 'halo' effect.

Although the nature of the design is to be humorous, beautifying factors are implemented within the design. The eyes are dramatically increased in order to promote a more engaging approach. The face was widened in order to comply to the characteristics of the design. The skin was altered in order to promote beauty, with red cheeks being added in order to add further 'cuteness' to the design.

The head size was largely reduced, with the cheeks being drastically thinned. The nose was made thinner, and the eyes made larger. This snapchat filter has previously had bad press for 'white washing' the user and thus I must ensure this is not accidentally implemented in my own design. A contoured approach has been added to the face in order to promote further beauty.

The eyes have been dramatically increased in the above situation in order to promote childlike aspects. Makeup has also been placed upon the protagonist. The nose has again been thinned and re-shaped.

The skin tone in the above filter has been highly manipulated in order to promote a 'glowing' effect. The eyes have been increased, with any darker imperfections being removed from the eye area. The forehead has been increased, the chin decreased and lips enlarged all factors in which relate to the amount of estrogen in the female body.

Again the complexion has been smoothed, and the face thinned. The whites of the eyes have also been brightened.



When looking closely at the designs it became evident that often more than one beautifying effect has been used within each filter. The idea of 'flawless' skin has been explored throughout, with all designs whether beautifying or humorous. It is obviously that key beauty areas in which I had previously researched had been implemented into these filters, in turn making the design appearing stronger.