I am using Unity with the idea of building virtual environments and understanding the user needs of virtual environments. I recently took a workshop with Preston McCauley at Big Design Events on Rapid Prototyping in Virtual Environments. The workshop was intended to address the needs of UX in the process of designing and developing virtual environments. In addition to presenting a wealth of information on virtual reality we learned techniques for rapidly creating prototypes based on user research and human centered design.
The project we began in class consisted of designing a room to convey a feeling or mood based on a virtual experience. My team mate and I decided upon the emotion or mood of “Victory”. Our room was based on the idea of an individual who has worked for years to create “something”. The “something” can be vague to apply to many different experiences. The room is filled with years of failed projects and products to showcase her “failure to succeed”, as in “it took many failures to finally succeed”. We created a user story based on our character and created constructs for our room.
Our room construction consisted of 4 walls, a wooden floor, plaster walls with scuff marks and smudges and track lighting. Objects in our room consisted of a pedestal, old sketches and drawings, beta units and a final project. The final project sits proudly on a pedestal in the center of the room and the showcase. Our room size is 4 meters x 4 meters x 2.6 meters. Memorable constructs consist of beta projects, the finished project, destroyed, broken and catastrophic failures. There are scorch marks on the walls and floor and a spotlight focusing on the completed project on the pedestal.
This is my sketch from our constructs.
We did not have time to construct our room during the workshop so that project is left to complete at another time. I decided to build a different room for my first unity project, drawing from my lab and science experience.
The feeling/mood I chose for my room is “Discovery”.
User Story
This is a room where students, teachers and anyone willing to learn, are free to explore their ideas and try experimental concepts without judgement. Virtual guest teachers would be available for visits, lectures and consults.
Room Construction
The room is 4 x 4 x 2.6 meters. It has 4 walls with one window. The window is open for fresh air and the window ledge is wide enough for objects to rest on the ledge. There are virtual objects arranged around the periphery of the room for access.
Objects in the Environment
A lab table sits in the middle of the room. There are molecular and science models floating above the table. The front wall is covered with a blackboard or whiteboard for exploring ideas. The side wall is covered with a large mural of planets. Computer access is available for research. Voice interaction would be available for requesting information. A teacher and student or students are present in the room. There are a couple of stools in the room that slide under the table.
Memorable Constructs
Scientific models are on the table for manipulation and exploration. There is an air of invitation to explore without judgement and the freedom to explore new ideas. This is a place to learn and discuss ideas. Audio would be Mozart Concerto 21 faintly in the background because it is happy and uplifting and conducive to learning. Music should be added with the ability to toggle on and off for the user’s preference.
Setting the Scene
Feeling or mood – Discovery
User Story about virtual experience
This is a room where students, teachers and those wanting to learn are free to explore ideas and try new things without judgement. It is a room with light and positive energy.
Room construction
4 walls
1 window
good lighting but not abrasive fluorescent
Linoleum tile with bright flecks
Clean without clutter but plenty of science models and materials for exploration
Objects in Environment
computer or iPad for research
blackboard or whiteboard
Science models
Science table
stools
teachers and students
Memorable Constructs
models on table for manipulation
Inviting to explore ideas
A place with freedom to learn
Sketch for Discovery Room
This virtual room built in Unity isn’t finished. I can continue to add objects and work on lighting but this is my quick initial prototype and my experience learning Unity. I would also like to add audio and of course teachers and students which could be a virtual guest teacher possibly selected for each virtual visit.
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