VR Environments - Childhood Space Reimagined

For the VR exercise, we reimagined our favourite childhood space as an immersive VR environment for all audiences.

I used the design sprint planning board on Miro to guide me through the prototyping process.

In steps 0 and 1, I deconstructed the brief and analysed precedents to gain a solid understanding of the exercise.

Then in step 1.5, I finalised my prototype idea and explored the possible risks and mitigations of my approach.

With this foundation set down, I am ready to start iterations.

In step 2, I split the iterations into three different areas of focus.

First was the layout of the VR space, considering shapes, sizes and props I wanted to use as building blocks. Then I considered the different colour palettes I could use to create the atmosphere I wanted. Last were the designs of the creatures I wanted to feature in my VR story, drawing inspiration from my childhood favourites.

After receiving feedback from students and tutor, I moved on to making the prototype,

I used Cinema 4D and Blender to create 3D model assets for my VR experience:

After the assets were created, I built my VR experience on Mozilla Hubs:

Once the prototype was complete, I tested it out with four different users varying in age.

The feedback I received for this exercise was good overall.

Despite the lower scores given due to personal bias and preferences, this prototype could be deemed as successful. The prototype I created fulfilled the brief.

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Final Prototype

For the VR exercise, I intended to create an immersive environment that reflected how I felt within my favourite childhood space. Instead of the actual library section, I wanted to use the freedom of VR to bring forth the imagination and nostalgia I had with the space. I aimed to achieve this through scaling up everything and using different lighting and particles effects. I made the creatures organic asymmetrical shapes and a different texture to the book and bookshelves to give them an otherworldly look. The colour palette was applied through the lighting and particles to create a mysterious ambience. Therefore recreating the unique experience that other people can enjoy as well.