a16z Podcast

Digital Humans and the Story Behind Lil Miquela

20 snips
Mar 30, 2023
Trevor McFedries and Isaac Bratzel, the creative team behind the virtual influencer Lil Miquela, discuss her fascinating origin story. They reveal how they crafted a digital character that resonates with millions, exploring the blending of art and technology in her development. The duo dives into the challenges they faced, the pushback from skeptics, and the evolving definition of authenticity in digital spaces. They also ponder the future of scalable influencers and their impact on society, making for a captivating conversation about the intersection of culture and technology.
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INSIGHT

Virtual Influencer Insight

  • Lil Miquela's creation in 2016 was a novel idea.
  • It aimed to explore fictional storytelling on social media, targeting younger audiences.
ANECDOTE

Early Virtual Influencers

  • Existing virtual influencers didn't look human in 2016.
  • Lil Miquela aimed to minimize novelty and maximize familiarity by appearing real.
ADVICE

Designing Virtual Humans

  • Start with existing designs and improve upon them.
  • Consider cultural relevance and target audience when designing virtual influencers.
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