Augmented-reality creators are out-earning IIT grads

A new class of digital creators is out-earning top graduates of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) using a relatively basic set of skills.

- Pratishtha Bagai

While select IIT graduates bag annual salaries of ₹25-30 lakh from the likes of Nvidia and Intel this year, these digital creators can earn that much every few months-by designing the augmented-reality (AR) objects and filters people use while taking pictures or recording videos for Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

These AR creators are earning six-figure monthly incomes using skills that anyone can pick up. Engineers, lawyers and even marketing executives are switching careers or taking it up as a side hustle.

The popularity of short-form video content on platforms such as Snapchat Spotlight and Stories, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts is significantly fuelled by the use of engaging AR overlays. These are filters, like the classic 'Dog Face' or 'Cartoon 3D Style' on Snapchat, or virtual 'try-ons' for makeup and accessories.