Where did we get all these Snapchat filters?

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Where did we get all these Snapchat filters?

 

The first Hillsdale Snapchat filters appeared a few years ago. Madeline Fry | Collegian

Central Hall was one of the first to appear. Then one of the Kappa Kappa Gamma house. Then a Charger-blue pennant. 

It’s unclear exactly when Snapchat geofilters started showing up on Hillsdale College’s campus, but it’s still a fairly new phenomenon, with more being added each year. Bridget DeLapp ’17, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, designed and submitted one of the first filters to appear — a blue and white graphic of the sorority’s house. 

“We thought it would be a new, fun way to interact at our events,” DeLapp said. 

But getting it posted proved to be a hassle. 

“All sorts of things can get it rejected,” DeLapp said. “I submitted it probably 10 times with little, tiny tweaks.”

DeLapp, an English and art major, said she submitted the filter largely without the sorority knowing, and when it was finally accepted she “freaked out and sent an all-house email.” 

Senior Zane Miller said he also designed a campus fitler: the blue geofilter that appears in the Sage Center for the Arts. 

“I think I first saw the green clock tower filter my sophomore year, which inspired me to create a filter for Sage,” Miller said in an email. “I basically live in this building, why not make a filter to document my snaps from here?”

Now, there are at least three college-specific geofilters, with several more specific ones scattered around campus. Two feature Central Hall, while one is a blue sports pennant. 

DeLapp said the process has grown slightly easier since she submitted her graphic. Now, it’s possible to design and submit a geofilter on Snapchat’s website, which is exactly what senior Charlie Yost did for a friend’s birthday party. 

“I wanted to get the word out there and let everybody know it was his birthday,” Yost said. “It probably took me 15 minutes.” 

Although it was free when DeLapp uploaded her filter, Snapchat has since monetized the process. It cost Yost roughly $15, between a $5 design and $10 activation fee. Still, he felt that it was worth it. 

“I think it was a huge success,” Yost said. “We had a lot of people at the party. I think it helped get the word around.” 

Snapchat has also provided the option to design and upload animated lenses and filters, in addition to the geofilters. 

DeLapp’s geofilter is still up, but she said getting an indefinite filter is more difficult now. Her filter has maintained its popularity since its creation.

“Girls still use it all the time,” she said.