AXM-E0404 - Designing and Creating Virtual Worlds, Lecture, 24.10.2022-1.12.2022

Topic outline

• Lectures
  LECTURE 1

  Anthropology of the senses: Towards a more holistic understanding of media and virtual reality

  Lily Díaz-Kommonen

  Keywords: Ecology, hierarchy of the senses, sensory meaning, sensorium
  

  In this lecture, I present an anthropological approach that allows us to inquire about the role that cultural conditioning might play in the way that sensory meaning is created. The sensorium is the concept utilized to refer to the site – or seat – of an organism’s sensation. Though the sense of sight is often considered as most important in humans, it seems that there is no such thing as an inherent and universal hierarchy of the senses. Rather, it would seem that the way in which humans perceive and make sense of their world is related to their own local ecology. 

  If indeed our perception of the world is, at least partially, affected by historical and cultural conditioning, then how might we develop a critical approach that allows us to reflect on the role of media in shaping our understanding of the world?

  
  

  Lecture slides | Interview with Char Davies

  
  

  LECTURE 2

  Virtual reality and information architecture

  Lily Díaz-Kommonen

  Keywords: cgi-based VR, information architecture, structuring information, video-based VR. 

  In this lecture the discussion centers on key topics about virtual reality (VR) including: How it differs from other immersive media such as cinema; what are the physical (hardware) characteristics of currently available VR systems; what are the interface features (software) used to control navigation and interaction within a VR system. 

  Information Architecture (IA) is regularly used as part of the design process when creating information repositories online. IA is presented as a practice that can assist us in structuring the information and organizing the assets that we intend to use when building our world in a logical manner. Once created an IA can provide us with an overview of the system we are creating, thus facilitating the design task.

  
  

  LECTURE 3

  Media artist Timo Wright presenting his own interactive virtual reality experiences and storyboarding  

  Timo Wright and Gautam Vishwanath
  

  Keywords: VR cinema, photogrammetry, volumetric capturing, interactive storytelling, storyboarding
  

  Guest lecturer Timo Wright presents his recent virtual reality works such as Fukushima - The Home That Once Was and Everyday Vrealities wherein users exert their own agency in order to experience stories of several diverse households of Helsinki. Timo also demonstrates the process of design and development wherein individuals and families in these houses have been filmed via a combination of experimental and new approaches such as volumetric capturing. 

  Storyboards are commonly associated with films and animations while they are actively used in software systems, design processes, and interactive media such as games. Based on this premise, Gautam's talk outlines the key elements, approaches, techniques, and challenges for storyboarding virtual reality experiences.

  Also, User interaction, navigation and narrative, short presentation by Lily Díaz-Kommonen.

  
  

  LECTURE 4

  Audio design for virtual reality and designing avatars

  Sebastian Schlecht

  Keywords: audio design, binaural audio, spatial audio, agency
  
  In the first lecture, Sebastian Schlecht presents key concepts about designing audio for virtual environments. He also demonstrates the use of binaural and spatial audio design through several examples of interactive audio. 
  
  Brief Notes about Designing Avatars 
  
  Lily Díaz-Kommonen
  
  This presentation provides information about the concept of avatars, how they are used in virtual worlds and some of the affordances that they bring into online user interaction.
  
  Keywords: Co-presence, embodiment, representation, online virtual worlds.
  
  

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    The folder includes lecture slides as well as other resources for students participating in the course.

  • Select activity User interaction, navigation and narrative in virtual worlds

    

    User interaction, navigation and narrative in virtual worlds File PPTX

    Some basic distinctions between our experience of the physical world and online simulations. How much do cultural patterns apply? Finally Marie Laure Ryans' concept of narrative immersion (and presence?).