Welcome to the world of Look Up - a free, augmented reality art trail occupying the rooftops of buildings around Sheffield City Centre.
It has been created to help bring our changing city centre to life, and show the world the inventive nature of the people and creative businesses who call Sheffield home.
As independent businesses move back in as part of the Heart of the City development; as flats and homes and workspaces change to make the city centre more liveable; and as we adapt the physical landscape and reputation of the city itself through new opportunities - we wanted to celebrate all that is great about Sheffield makers for the whole world to see.
The project has been led by Marketing Sheffield, part of Sheffield City Council, and paid for via a grant from the 'Getting Building Fund'.
#LookUpSheff
Download the app
The locations & artworks
Find out more about where each artwork is located, who has produced it, and get a few tips on what else you can do in the area (including where to eat, drink and shop nearby).
Meet the makers of Look Up
This city is full of creative and tech talent, so we didn't need to go very far to work with incredible local people and businesses to create Look Up - but we have collaborated on a global scale to make it happen.
Below you can find out more about who has helped bring this amazing experience to life.
Megaverse
Megaverse are an incredible company specialising in virtual and augmented reality. They have built the app that you'll use to view the artworks - so they are the architects and digital builders of all the design elements that come as part of the experience. Without their expertise, the artworks couldn't come to life, and it just simply wouldn't be as great as it is.
Universal Everything
Universal Everything are world leaders in their field who have been commissioned worldwide on immersive alternate reality projects. Based in Sheffield, they create incredible, daring and genre defining work, and we couldn't be happier that they have helped bring Look Up to life right on their very own doorstep.
Human Studio
Human Studio are a creative agency based in Park Hill. They have worked on projects around the globe and have extensive experience in working in augmented and virtual reality. Frequently collaborating on cutting edge projects, we are utterly delighted that they have turned their hands to this project specifically for Sheffield.
Niantic Labs
Niantic Labs are a tech company based in San Francisco who have helped make Google Earth and Google Maps what they are - but are most famous for bringing Pokemon Go to life. They are all about using technology to lean into the ‘reality’ of augmented reality — encouraging everyone to get outside, get moving and explore, and connect with the world around us. Quite fitting for The Outdoor City, really.
Jaywing
Jaywing are a leading data, creative, and intelligence agency with offices around the world - headquartered right in the centre of Sheffield in their amazing re-purposed old industrial space. They helped create the assets we have used to promote the Look Up app and have worked on the PR for the project (plus they helped create Sheffield's city brand and this website!).
A legacy for the city
The Look Up app is a platform that can help to constantly evolve Sheffield by adding new locations to the trail. Working with partner organisations new works can be showcased and create the worlds first city to have a permanent and free augmented reality art trail for everyone to enjoy.
We want the investment that created it to keep giving back and allowing people to access culture in new and innovative ways, whilst also supporting organisations who want to create.
Whether it's showcasing music alongside augmented reality content; profiling artistic creations; or bringing visions of our world to reality to educate and inspire people - we want to help showcase how a city can do all these things to attract visitors, talented people, business investment - and provide something to engage our residents and give them something to be proud of.
Got an idea?
Conditions
You would need to have funding to create the artworks and test and implement them in the app. We have a tech spec we can supply, but a small amount of development time will still be required. Look Up will not be used for advertising purposes - it is a cultural project. The content would need to be suitable for all ages and audiences.
Explore Sheffield before you visit
11 great drink, food and hotel combinations
So you want a great weekend away with space to do your own thing. But you're always going to want somewhere great to eat, somewhere you know you'll get a good drink with a great atmosphere, and a decent place to kip. The rest is just exploration, but it's good to get the non-negotiables sorted.
Kelham Island
Kelham Island was named as one of the world's 51 coolest neighbourhoods in 2022 by Time Out. Once the beating heart of industry, Kelham Island is one of Sheffield’s oldest manufacturing sites, except nowadays these buildings house everything from indie shopping arcades to microbreweries and galleries.
Is 2022 the year Sheffield became foodie capital of the north?
In 2018 The Times declared Sheffield the Northern Capital of Cool. In 2022 The Observer Food Monthly awards gave 5/6 Runners Up spots across the Food and Drink categories to Sheffield establishments. So are we now the Northern Capital of Food too?
City centre
In Sheffield we are proud of our independent scene, and so whilst we have some incredible brands and fantastic large retail offer in Meadowhall, our city centre needs to be about liveability and community - which is brought by great people creating businesses out of what they love.
The Outdoor City
The UK's greenest city, where nature and culture intertwine. The historic Peak District National Park and and spiritual home of the country's climbing scene, with downhill mountain biking, road cycling and a hive of activity for kayakers, cavers, walkers and runners of all ability.
Top walk, run or rides with a great pub
There are two things Sheffield is world famous for: our greenspace, and our beer. We thought it was worth celebrating this by giving you some top places to run, walk or ride AND find a proper pub to start, end, or break up your adventure.
