Skills
UX/UI Design
Design Thinking
3D Visualization
Collaboration
Photography
Voice Work
Software/Hardware
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Unity
Insta360 Pro
Oculus Rift
Leap Motion Sensor
Deliverables
Main Menu Design
Tutorial Graphics
3D Models
Voice Recording
Completed
May 2019
Working on a team within the JMU X-Labs, a multidisciplinary innovation space, I worked on a class-wide project to create an in-person virtual tour of James Madison University. This project allows prospective students to see parts of campus not covered in the tour, experience events such as football games and symphony performances, and experience an interactive showcase of student work firsthand. The final project is currently installed and in use in the lobby where JMU hosts prospective student tours of campus.
Challenge
As the final project for an extended/mixed reality course, as a class wide project we used what we'd learned to create an in-person virtual reality tour of James Madison University, as a site specific installation. Students in a variety of majors and disciplines had completed several prior projects in both augmented and virtual reality, primarily exploring ways the Unity engine could be utilized to develop experiences in these technologies. The problems we had to solve had almost literally never been attempted before, as our work was on the pioneering front of the capabilities of extended reality.
Approach
The final result was going to be a site specific installation in the Office of Admissions. Three kiosks would be set up with a monitor, a virtual reality headset, and signage to explain the project and teach the first time user how to navigate comfortably.
Process
Working in groups, we used an Insta360 Pro spherical camera and visited different parts of campus to capture photo and videospheres at an 8k resolution.
A photosphere unrolled flat.
Rather than have the user interface with a set of controllers, to lower the barriers of entry for the first-time user, we found a way to allow them to navigate using only their hands. We attached a Leap Motion Controller to the front of the headset, which read the motions of the hands and translated them to virtual space.
I was given full creative control over the menu and the logo for the experience. I worked closely with computer science major team members to ensure it behaved according to my design.
I also created graphics for the tutorial, using simple gifs to guide the user through the experience. When the need arose, I also volunteered to be the voice for the tutorial.
Final Installation
