Idea #1: Cryptids in AR
My first idea is based around my love for the bizarre and my desire to understand how Snapchat filters work. My plan is to create 3D models of different cryptids (think bigfoot, mothman, the jersey devil, etc) and render them using AR into a kind of Snapchat filter where you can take pictures with your favorite cryptids. I have had 3D modeling classes before so I know I have the understanding to create the models, while also understanding that this will be a large undertaking to create, rig, texture, and possibly animate multiple creatures. On top of that, AR is not something I have ever worked with before so I know I will have to push myself to learn new technology and implement it with my previous knowledge to create a cohesive project. However, this is an idea that really excites me and I know I would have the motivation to continue work on this for the entirety of the school year.
Idea #2: Museum in VR
This one is a little off the wall – the idea would be to recreate a museum exhibition in VR, so that you could technically walk through the museum without having to be there. Therefore, you could say you’ve been to a museum in London without ever having left the country. As I said before I have experience with 3D modeling, but I think figuring out how to create texture or a kind of “life” to the art that replicates the feeling of seeing artwork in real life would be a challenge. It would also be interesting figuring out what artwork I would put in my virtual museum and which ones would work best in a simulated environment. Furthermore, I have never done anything with VR before so that would be another concept to teach myself, but art (and art accessibility) is something I’m passionate about and know I could spend the time and effort to create.
Idea #3: Animated Ebook
I am a big fan of books, and I think in the age of technology getting younger kids into reading can be harder when they’ve had an iPad since they were a toddler (not to judge whether this is good or bad, simply to say that it’s different now than how it used to be). Therefore, I was thinking of animating the electronic version of a children’s book, or perhaps multiple depending on how much time and effort it takes. Animation isn’t something I’ve really done before, although I have done some pixel animations for a previous game design class. It would definitely be cool to develop an art style that works with children’s books and see it come to life. I think it would be challenging but rewarding to see something like the art from “The Rainbow Fish” or “Goodnight Moon” come to life (not saying that I’m animating other artist’s work, just wanted to give an example of what I want to do).
CRYPTIDS IN AR
A fascinating and (I think) crowd-pleasing idea. I don’t use Snapchat — do AR filters kinda like this already exist? Your idea reminded me of this: https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonogus/2019/09/13/dallas-cowboys-use-augmented-reality-in-popular-new-fan-activation-pose-with-the-pros/#4631adc71716
VR MUSEUM
Google has a number of virtual versions of real museums:
https://artsandculture.google.com/project/virtual-tours
But you’re right that this is a very different experience than being physically present in a museum, in that it doesn’t account for all the senses or a sense of human scale relative to the art work or a sense of sharing the space with others — all that would be interesting to explore and experiment with through your project. Reminds me of a 21st century version of the dilemma posed in Walter Benjamin’s “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”
https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm
How might VR replicate the aura of a work of art, or of an entire art museum? I can almost imagine this project as a series of questions about user/visitor experience, and then little VR demos that explore/illustrate those questions.
ANIMATED CHILDREN’S BOOK
Also a good idea and I appreciate that you’d challenge yourself to develop new skills. On the other hand this sorta thing has been done many times before — by some very experienced illustrators and animators — so you might not have the time to develop baseline skills, then go beyond that do develop an innovative style of your own. But if you’re really motivated by the idea maybe you will? (Did I mention I really like your other ideas ?)
I really like the idea of a museum in VR. Curious to how you are going to start this project if you continue to work with this as you senior thesis. Have you started sketching out any plans for this? What are your goals to get out of this project if you choose to go through with this?
I said this in our class discussion, but I think combining the Cryptids idea (which may not be enough of a challenge for a thesis project? I don’t know enough about AR to know for sure) with the VR museum (which, like Ault said, has been iterated many times before) would be a great spin on the interests and skills you have. I’m thinking some kind of VR experience where Cryptids have taken over a museum and are replacing the paintings, which may or may not have been the plot of one of the Scooby Doo movies, but you know what I mean. I think in general, lending a story to one or more of these ideas to give context and tie them together would make for a really satisfying project!
The second idea is one I could see in numerous ways. It would depend on what direction you choose for the basis of the museum. For some idea, what I would suggest doing is visiting real museums for some ideas on what you would like to do, and if it will be something physical, examine works of both digital and traditional artworks by numerous artists to get a general concept based around what the museum will showcase. This has a lot of room for potential and I would love to see it come to full fruition. Good luck Rachel 🙂
I think it might be really interesting to consider a fourth idea where you combine aspects from both Idea #2 and Idea #3. I’m not sure if a VR children’s book is already out there but I think that transporting a child into their fairytale world would be a dream come true to them. Rather than reading a story or listening to a story, children would be experiencing the story.
Might not be the best idea for bedtime but definitely a great way for them to directly learn the lessons children books are hoping to teach!
I’m thinking about this episode of Wizards of Waverly place I watched when I was younger: (Sorry, apparently I only know Disney references)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTQr1HWEu6k
Although in the show, they transport into the story using wizardry with today’s technology all it takes is a headset and some techno magic.
As for your first idea, Snapchat filters would for sure be something the world would play with 24/7. I liked what Caitlyn suggested with mixing your first idea with your second one!
It seems like you may be able to pull together bits and pieces from each of your ideas and piece together something awesome!