How a designer from Turkmenistan created the AR platform MEMO to bring photos to life

Mergen Jumayev, designer and entrepreneur, Instagram

How It All Started

For many years, I have been designing websites and mobile applications, working with UX/UI and digital products. Over time, I became interested not only in creating interfaces but also in launching my own technology projects. This led to the idea for the MEMO startup—a platform for augmented reality that allows photos, business cards, and other printed materials to come alive using a smartphone.

In the project, I serve as CEO, product designer, and product manager.

The idea for MEMO emerged from observing how people interact with photographs and printed materials. Photos, business cards, or advertising materials usually remain static, even though they often represent much more story and content. I became curious about whether it was possible to make a regular image “come alive” and display videos, 3D objects, or additional information. Thus, the idea was born to create a platform that connects the physical world with digital content through augmented reality, making familiar things interactive.

Target Audience

MEMO is an augmented reality platform that enables businesses and creative industries to add digital content to physical objects. With MEMO, you can bring photos, business cards, banners, and print materials to life, as well as display 3D models, such as furniture or other products. Users simply point their smartphone camera at an image or QR code to view additional AR content. The project already includes a mobile app, a WebAR solution that requires no app installation, and an admin panel through which clients can manage their content.

MEMO helps businesses make customer communication more interactive and modern. For example, photo studios can display videos directly over photographs, print shops can add digital content to printed materials, and retail stores can showcase products in 3D format. This increases customer engagement and makes marketing more visually compelling. Additionally, the platform simplifies the use of augmented reality technologies: businesses do not need to develop their own AR solutions, as everything can be done through the ready-made MEMO system.

Achievements

Currently, MEMO is in its development phase and already has its first B2B clients—three photo studios and two print shops. The project was also presented at the international Kids Expo in Ashgabat.

Plans

In the future, the team plans to expand the platform’s capabilities and develop solutions for businesses: for instance, displaying apartments and interiors in augmented reality for realtors and designers, as well as creating 3D architectural models for developers and architects. Another direction will be the development of an AR content marketplace and tools for businesses to interact with their audience through the MEMO platform.

The startup also plans to scale in Central Asian countries.