IMM Senior Thesis – Fall 2019

Concept #1 – VR Simulation/Experience Project

My first idea was to create a Virtual Reality experience of abusive relationships, primarily emotionally abusive as opposed to physical. The goal is to create something that would give the player/user an understanding of emotionally abusive relationships, since lately, I find people don’t fully understand it or believe it’s something easy to leave or get over. It may range from romantic ones to friendships or family relationships. I haven’t decided fully how many kinds of relationships I’d want to cover given the time I have to refine the script I’ve started along with actually making it. It would take place in a forest where the environment would change based on the events going on in the relationship at the moment and be harder to navigate and escape the forest as it progresses. I would use the Occulus Rift so remotes could be used to walk around and the headset would be used to keep you in the environment for the full experience so you cannot ignore what’s going on around you. I’m still considering whether or not I should make it an interactive story as well, since it may be an effective way to get my point across.

Concept #2 – Landscapes or environments in VR

This was honestly my original idea for a thesis project when I first transferred into IMM. I considered painting a variety of digital paintings in different layers and trying to make a 360 environment for the user to explore the painting. I wanted to bring the painting to life in some way. I would now consider using 3D modeling as well and creating textures to make the models look more like paintings as well to blend it all in.

Concept #3 – Interactive Museum VR

I’ve thought about creating a museum in VR to display different projects of mine in a different way. It would basically be like a portfolio, but in a museum set up. It would be a unique way to show off my own work as opposed to building a website like I already have and let people click through. It would have different “exhibits” in the museum to showcase the variety of work I may create from traditional paintings or photography to digital media. Not only would it be a fun way to show off my own paintings or animations, but it would showcase any 3D modeling, texturing, and programming skills I have as you navigate a VR I created.

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).

Concept #1: Water Movement/Projection Performance

• This project idea was inspired by a combination of my love for the Walt Disney Company, my interest in water, and my admiration for Disney’s Fantasmic. Outside of IMM120, I don’t have any coding experience but I plan to reach out to John Kuiphoff as well as look over some base code I found online for assistance. I have spoken with Dale Simon in Kendall Hall already for pointers with lighting and building the box I plan to keep my water pumps/LEDs in. I also reached out to @coastercircuits who I found through a project he completed on YouTube similar to what I am hoping to do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exPk8KZzVXw. @Coastercircuits offered me some material suggestions on what I should use to build this project. My first step with this project is to draw out a clear (or mostly clear) sketch of how I want this fountain to look, whether I want my video to be on the water or on a screen behind the water/synced to the audio. After I create my sketch I want to map out my budget/materials. I officially was trained in the MakerSpace last week and think the machines in there would be a great asset for building the box around my Arduino which I plan to program to several DC water pumps/LED strips. I am sure I will have a ton more changes as I try to progress with this project plan.

Concept #2: 4D Experience

• For this project, I would like to create a movie, post two chairs in front of the screen and develop a story that the audience can be a part of. I would somehow put devices under the bottom of the chairs that release different scents, vibrations, etc. to make the experience more than just a movie. I would also like to have objects drop down from the ceiling or bubbles/snow come out around the room as well (matching the movie, of course).

Concept #3: Remodeling A Van

• As we all know by now, I have a dream of one day remodeling a van and traveling around the world with it. I think it would be really cool if I could remodel a van into some sort of “Smart” van and add a bunch of interactive technology to my little “house.” I don’t have any concrete ideas on how I would remodel the van but I would love to be able to make a van that isn’t just your regular home but one I can admire/enjoy playing in as well. 

Concept 1: Algorithmic Composition

My first idea is to make a product utilizing algorithm composition concepts. I have a few ideas of what I could do with this, but one of the main ones I am particularly interested in is making a program that can take a bunch of songs written by a specific band as input data and compose its own song with a similar style. The idea of computers writing music has been of interest to me for a while, and I think this particular concept is something I could continually expand on.

Concept 2: Vaporwave Experience

Another idea that I had come up with was performing a live set of vaporwave songs, giving the audience a visual experience in addition to hearing the music. Vaporwave is a genre of music that is based around messing with samples of past music, with a goal of giving the listener a “nostalgic” feel. Visually, vaporwave art is based around early Internet design, 3D rendered objects, and other ideas, giving a lot of room to experiment with visuals.

Concept 3: Scoring the World

My last idea is making a 2D/3D (probably 2D) game with a world that is based on a real place in the world. It would have an appropriate score, and appropriate activities to do in the virtual area. I think this type of idea would help me learn more about graphics and potentially modelling, if I take the 3D route.

Concept one: Projection mapping. I want to create a space using a physical built globe and projection mapping to show causes with the issues revolving recycling on the earth. I imagine using a showroom downstairs with the globe in the center of the room hanging from the ceiling, trash and garbage underneath it and around the area of the globe, heat lamps in certain areas of the room, and overall a dark atmosphere. On one wall there will be statistics, and on the other two walls there will be option A) if we continue to recycle and take care of the earth, and B) if we don’t take care of it what the planet will turn into. On the globe I want to project the earth and the amount of recycling in each continent possibly using visual graphs built into the globe along with projection mapping. 

Concept two: Clothing try on! Using mirrors and projection mapping to allow users to try on clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. They will have options of different clothing articles to decide between and they’ll be able to stand in a mirror where the projector will be in front of them and project the clothing items onto them. They’ll either have to be dressed or put on a one colored full body cover so the clothing projects correctly? 

Concept three: Hologram shopping!!! While you’re online shopping, you can have an option to show a holographic image of the product you’re looking at. This way you can get a better idea of the size, shape and usage of the product.

Concept one

I would like a psychological concept and show it through 3 different types of mediums: digital, print and digital fabrication. I’ve noticed that there are a lot of instances of a disconnect when trying to bring an idea from digital into a physical space.  For example, take the gehlast principles and showcase how it is used in digital, print (traditional), and then bring it into interior design to increase the usability and appeal of the house. People need that “Oh wow, that is so convenient! I always wanted to be there! Look Sweetie :O!” 

Concept two

The hidden menu has been a plight in the software and web universe. The cause of this was the hamburger menu, the three lines stacked on one another. Hidden menus were a quick fix to the mobile web spaces, but became an industry standard because it looks clean and minimalistic. However, there are multiple studies that show a traditional inline nav bar work better than a hamburger menu. Thus, there is a better way to have a minimalistic navigation that’s not hidden, but what does that look like? 

Concept three

Within the Big Pharma advertising sector, websites have to follow a strict laws. The one in particular is you need to handle the Important Safety Information (ISI) a certain way. The ISI must always be accessible and can be constantly seen on each page of the website. On each drug website, the ISI is displayed and handled the same, except a few other. Thus, there must be a way to still have fit within all the rules and be accessible and not-destructive to the user’s experience. 

Concept 1: My idea is to create a 2D animation utilizing Motion Graphics. Motion Graphics is a medium I have always been interested in learning, but I haven’t really pursued it as far as I would like. I want to create a story that revolves around Japanese mythology with characters wearing Street Fashion clothing, as both are things that interest me. Creating a sort of blend of things I like, while also challenging myself with a medium that I’m not too experienced with could provide for an interesting project. 

Concept 2: My second idea is to create an exhibit type of project that will utilize graphics and 3D printing. I want to create an experience that tells the history behind mythological characters by providing graphics of said character while also providing 3D prints of them for people to hold and see. I like the idea of interacting with a sort of exhibit and 3D printing is still very new to me so I think it would make for a challenging project.

Concept 3: My third idea is to create a custom pair of sneakers, possibly from the ground up. Fashion design is something I have an interest in, but I don’t really know the first thing about it when it comes to creating an article of clothing. While this doesn’t have anything to do with my planned career choices, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. This might be difficult, but may be a fun challenge that I can hopefully find something new to take out of. 

Chance Gayles

Project concepts

1.Digital manga and Marketable material 

Using the skills I’ve been gaining the past year (and while in Japan) for my thesis, I will create high quality chapters of a digitally created manga (using photoshop / clip studio paint & various techniques and digital methods) along with character sheets, cover, marketable materials such as Poster (photoshop), Video Advert (adobe after effects), Merchandise, etc. 

2.Digital Lookbook 

A large collection of digitally generated character sheets, altered photos, and motion graphics made print-ready and marketable with the possibility of presenting a physically printed book. 

3.Audio project

Creating an album along with Visual assets and video with another IMM student. This would include production, mixing, mastering, shooting, editing, and conceptualizing artwork for digital platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, etc

After our last class discussion, I thought a lot about what projects I was considering for thesis. Now, these may seem like a complete shot in the dark, but I believe them to be fully within my skill range. So why not give them a try or at least gather some info about the.

Project 1: Interactive Comic Story
The idea behind this comic is to create an interactive page-turning experience that provides an enriched story with impressive visuals that change and move with each turn of the page. There will be multiple paths to the endings that depend on the viewer’s decision on where they would want to go in the story. The book will consist of being roughly 15 to 20 pages long, some with additional slides for the endings.

Project 2: Animated Visual Story
The idea behind this is to introduce a new way of telling a story through well-placed imagery and conceptual art pieces all synchronized in an animated fashion using visual elements to present a well-written narrative. This idea of storytelling has been shown in numerous fashions but to the ideas I have with it will differ in many different ways. Using programs such as Unity, Photoshop, and After Effects, The goal is to create this visual style never seen before in this medium in storytelling

Project 3: 3D Rendered Character Designs
There are a number of character designs created by numerous artists in and out of the industry. This idea will be centered around creating 4 different 3d modded original characters with their own animation sets. It has always been a thought of mine to learn more about 3D modeling programs and create more human-based characters with the tools provided and create original designs with their own personalities and delve into the world of character design.

Tools For Each project

Project 1- Unity, Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint Pro
Project 2 – After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Unity
Project 3 – Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine 4

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on smome resources that may be of help. please feel free to let me know. Thank you for reading this. best of luck to everyone 🙂