Imagine a world where creativity knows no bounds, fueled by the fusion of human imagination and digital innovation. Snapdragon Unplugged explores this very frontier, showcasing how visionary creators today are harnessing the power of ultra-efficient PCs powered by Snapdragon processors to bring their most ambitious ideas to life, anywhere, anytime, without compromise.

One such visionary is London-based Augmented Reality artist Doddz, who sees the world not as it is, but as it could be. Doddz blends the tangible world with the digital, transforming everyday items and locations into never-before-seen immersive experiences.

Meet Doddz

We spent a couple days with Doddz to learn more about him, his passion, and his thoughts on art and technology. The first thing we learned is that he’s a true pioneer — part dreamer, part technologist — whose creative philosophy is to capture textures, spaces, and memories to build living, evolving artworks. As a multi-hyphenate AR architect, he believes that modern art should reflect the duality of society, existing with one foot in the physical realm and the other in the virtual. Nothing is of the ordinary when it comes to Doddz’s approach to digital storytelling, with augmented narratives hidden inside his creations for viewers to find.

But it took time to get where he is today. Having no formal education in art or technology, Doddz had to carve out his own niche in the industry by simply “doing.” At age 15, he determined that school wasn’t letting his creative mind thrive — and having dyslexia didn’t help. But it was this very diagnosis that Doddz credits for unlocking his ingenuity in pairing the most cutting-edge tech with the tactile.

Asked about how he got into AR, Doddz admits, “I stumbled across augmented reality, and I realized not many people at the time had used it within art. Seeing that I could combine creativity and tech was exciting. I enjoyed the process of making those artworks, and the reaction to those artworks was significantly more than the rest of the work that I'd done. I just enjoyed that process, so I started making a few more pieces, and realized, wow, I seem to have found an art medium!”

Believing that art can provide a powerful means of human connection, Doddz adds elements to his works to evoke nostalgia, emotion, and curiosity. For instance, he can add flowers for sentiment, music for tone, motion for interest, and soft colors of lilac and cream for comfort.

When asked about his creative process, Doddz responded, “You don't sit down and just think. Inspiration comes to you at random points in your life. So, if I'm making a piece and I'm out and I get struck with a piece of inspiration, I need to have a device or something nearby that I can then work on. Because I don't want to wait a few hours, get back home, and try to recreate it… that moment's gone. You want to strike while the iron's hot.”

Our Challenge

What Doddz creates — and the process in which he creates — is fascinatingly different. We wondered what he could do with Snapdragon technology in hand. So, we gave him a Microsoft Surface Pro powered by Snapdragon X Elite and asked him to create something amazing with AR.

Lightweight, offering all-day battery life¹, packed with 32GB of RAM, and able to run state-of-the-art power-hungry software like Adobe Creative Suite and Blender, the Surface Pro was perfect for Doddz’s “capture-it-as-you-go-wherever” creative process. Best of all, the Surface Pro’s ability to be used as a tablet with a Surface Slim Pen² or as a traditional laptop PC allowed Doddz to work comfortably and stay in his flow state anywhere — whether riding a taxi or a train, to walking in a city park or working in his studio. 

The result was one of his most ambitious creations to date: “The House," which starts as a captivating illustration depicting a couple admiring their home. When viewed through a phone lens, the scene transforms into a miniature world in motion, allowing viewers to follow the couple's daily routine. What's remarkable about "The House" is its ability to evolve over time, recognizing returning viewers and unveiling new scenes with character progression.

This level of interactivity is what sets Doddz apart. Unlike traditional art forms, which remain static, his compositions unfold, characters move, and visuals shift in real-time. 

The Technology Behind the Art 

Doddz reflects that as little as five years ago, AR technology was still clunky, and laptops struggled to handle heavy programming lifts like rendering 3D models and creating detailed textures. However, as computing tools evolved, Doddz's creativity was granted more freedom, enabling him to create AR experiences that were previously impossible. 

This evolution in technology directly benefited his work, and was evident when he began using the Surface Pro powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor. This processor delivered exceptional power and responsiveness, up to 90 percent faster than competing processors when unplugged, allowing Doddz to fine-tune images, create and edit animation and more, without system lag or overload. With the added benefit of up to 22 hours¹ of battery life, the Snapdragon X Elite processor enabled Doddz to work confidently on-the-go, without being tethered to a power outlet.

Doddz believes that his audiences should focus on the finished product rather than the tech behind it. For Doddz, what's most important is delivering experiences that move people. “The emotion has to speak louder than the tech,” he explains. AR experiences are meant to elicit emotional responses and seamlessness is key. For instance, in one piece, inspired by making s’mores in Los Angeles with his fiancée Steph, a simple campfire scene springs to life once a viewer raises their phone: flames leap and smoke billows as a digital hand extends a marshmallow to roast over the fire. Thanks to the smooth, immersive, and lag-free graphics of the Surface Pro, Doddz turns one of his most cherished memories into a bona fide time capsule — one he can relive and share again and again. “When I’m creating, time disappears,” he comments. “Snapdragon lets me stay there.”

Empowering Creativity, One Story at a Time

Doddz's work is a testament to the limitless possibilities when creativity meets high-performance technology. With Snapdragon supporting his workflow, he's able to push boundaries, craft compelling narratives, and produce one-of-a-kind experiences. This innovative spirit is recognized through the Made on Snapdragon icon, which highlights creators who are breaking new ground using devices powered by Snapdragon. By accelerating the creative process and unleashing new potential, Snapdragon technology has played a pivotal role in bringing Doddz's imaginative works to life. Follow Snapdragon Unplugged to discover more inspiring stories of visionaries who are redefining the future of art and technology. 

As we look to the future, it's clear that the intersection of creativity and technology will continue to evolve. Whether you're an artist, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of innovation, the story of Doddz and Snapdragon is a reminder that the future of creativity is bright, bold, and full of possibility. The next great masterpiece is just around the corner. Will it be yours?

Learn more about Snapdragon X Elite processors 

See all apps compatible with Snapdragon X Elite processors here

Editor's Note: Portions of the quotes from the above interview with Doddz were transcribed and edited for clarity.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. 

¹ Battery life varies significantly based on device, usage, settings, and other factors. Please visit snapdragon.com/claims for additional information.

² Sold separately. Software license required for some features.