THEME

When we think about the future it is easy to jump to conclusions about the state of the environment. There is a lot of valid concern and even fear about what will happen as we continue to emit greenhouse gases and experience climate change. There is also a lot of hope to be shared regarding our climatic future. In this studio we will explore the development of sustainable technologies, the mitigation of fossil fuels, and the science behind our renewable futures.

MEDIUM

In this studio, we will be designing experiences in virtual reality. We will use the medium to learn more advanced rhino modeling skills, and discuss rendering, lighting, and animation. We will build our experiences to further our understanding of renewable energy sources and immerse others in digital narratives. 

VR METHODOLOGY

Design The Environment

Plan the Interaction

Lighting and Animation

We will create experiences that...

Simulate: Understand and showcase the mathmatics, science, and engineering, that makes renewables work.

Predict: Describe the role sustainable energy will play in our future lived experiences.

Visualize: Provide a lens to view the conversation around renewable energy sources. 

Each project group will design a virtual space, with embedded narratives and interactive components that expand our relationship to energy and technology.

Example Deliverables might include...

Final Deliverable

• a gamified comparison of current energy tech

• a simulated "solar city". 

• a virtual tour of an offshore wind farm

Simulation

Somniacs

Birdly VR

Mursion

Social Simulations

Active Learning

Zoe Immersive Inc.

Zoe Virtual Reality

Embodied Games

To Catch a Mimic

Immersive Environments

Marshemellow Laser Feast

In The Eyes of The Animal

Jakub Kozłowski

Concept Artist

On a notecard please answer these two questions: 

• What aspect of working in virtual reality most excites you?
• What skills are you eager to pick up in this studio?

Activity

Renewable Technology

Energy and Power

Economic

The U.S. Will Need Thousands of Wind Farms. Will Small Towns Go Along?

Giant Wind Farms Arise Off Scotland, Easing the Pain of Oil’s Decline

Social

Building Solar Farms May Not Build the Middle Class

Scientific

Major Fusion Energy Breakthrough to Be Announced by Scientists

Can Fusion Solve the Climate Crisis?

On a notecard please answer these two questions: 

• Are there any renewable energy sources that play a role in your life (solar, electric car, etc)
• Of the articles listed, does any particular headline or topic jump out to you? Why?

Activity

Creative Learning Goals

• Draw inspiration from natural processes, chemistry, physics, and technology.
• Create environments and interactions that draw in our users and promote their unique experience
• Understand how to design narratives in a spatial way. 
• Learn how to take our interests and meet them with our independent designs.

Technical Learning Goals

• Virtual Reality interaction and environmental design
• Unity3D game engine + C# programming
• Subdivision 3D modeling.

Student Intros

Name

Pronouns

Grade/Year

Experience with VR?

Connections to renewables?

Nuvu Norms

• phones will be in backpacks or bins. 
• clean up after yourselves during lunch. 
• respect others property
• clean the room each day

VR Headsets + Unity Installs

Classroom Agreement 

Day to Day schedule

Concept Design and Development

Virtual Reality Workflow + Tools

VR SET UP

VR MOVEMENT

GRAB

SOCKETS

EVENTS

RHINO 3D

ENVIRONMENT MAPPING

ENV. PROTOTYPES

INTERACTION

STORYBOARDS

CLEAN/CHARGE SCHEDULE

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

BECKETT

TOMMY

WYATT

GABE

NICK

COFFY

MUNTHER

JASMINE

Day 1 Activity : Rube Goldberg/Simple Machines