Download the FREE Look Up app
#LookUpSheff
A fun way to explore the city, Look Up has been designed for everyone to enjoy. It's been created by Sheffield companies, artists, studios and producers, helping to showcase the creative talent in our city. All you need to do is download the app and get exploring.
Look Up 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'.
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).
NOW
LIVE
Look Up, it's a McKee!
at Weston Park
Pete Mckee's first foray into the world of augmented reality- 'Soccer Kids' has now launched and spans two iconic rooftops in Sheffield, across Weston Park Museum and the Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Grab a ball and see whether you can keepy uppy with the kids on the rooftops...
Look Up, it's Corbin Shaw!
Little Kelham, Kelham Island
We are so pleased to feature the first digital media piece Corbin has worked on, right here in his home town - especially in Kelham Island, where his dad still works to this day!
It's a piece that captures the spirit of the city, somehow: hopeful yet realistic, positive without being overly optimistic; down to earth without being dull.
So take those selfies and record those videos and share them with the world on social media.
Look Up in WIRED
As an online publication that illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives, we're absolutely delighted that WIRED magazine have done a feature on Look Up.
With a global following of millions, this represents some truly international profile for the initiative and Sheffield as a city.
Meet the makers of Look Up
Sheffield is full of creative and tech talent, so we didn't have to go far to work with some incredible people and businesses - but we have collaborated on a global scale to make Look Up 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.
Corbin Shaw
Corbin Shaw (b.1998) is a British artist based in Bethnal Green, East London. Originally from Sheffield, Corbin explores ideas of masculinity through the medium of textiles. Using his upbringing in a South Yorkshire ex-mining town Corbin investigates masculinity and how that was defined to him growing up. Breaking stigmas and stereotypes through his re-imagination of masculine 'icons' and objects, the artist pays homage to the people and places that have shaped his northern identity – the pub, football pitches and boxing gyms.
Pete McKee
Pete McKee has forged an artistic career that over the years has attracted a worldwide following. His work explores various themes including working-class culture and humour. Pete grew up on a council estate during the '60s and '70s in Sheffield. Pete’s upbringing has had a direct influence on the images he creates which often examine facets of working-class life, for example depicting holidays, relationships and family
Pinders
Pinders began in 1938 as a technical drawing company and has developed and grown into a versatile company in the design and printing world. They helped a lot on the Look Up project with the plate creation and installation - which might seem like a simple job, but it really wasn't, and without them working as they do the project wouldn't be nearly as good.
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.
Visiting Sheffield? Explore the city more...
City Breaks
You don't have to go far to experience Sheffield, The Outdoor City, where nature and culture go hand in hand. Come and see what could be part of your next great weekend away.
Sheffield's Big Events & Festivals 2023
There's another huge line-up of exciting events happening across Sheffield throughout 2023. From food festivals, outdoor markets and family fun to Coronation celebrations, music festivals and some rather large homecoming shows- there's something for everyone!
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.
Sheffield City Centre
Sheffield's City Centre is undergoing significant change, but while you may see a few more cranes and building work going on in places, this shouldn't detract from all the amazing places there still are to discover. From attractions such as the Winter Garden, Millennium Gallery and Sheffield Theatres to independent shopping and an array of great places to eat and drink.
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.
The Buzz for Sheffield's Food Scene
Is Sheffield the UK’s most exciting food city? Quite possibly, as an increasing number of the city’s restaurants and bars have been popping up in national listings and awards. Here we take a look at those attracting the attention...
