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Renewable Design Space
SPRING 2023 S1
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.
Day to Day schedule
Concept Design and Development
Virtual Reality Workflow + Tools
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
03/06
04/14
VR SET UP
STUDIO INTRO
INTRO ACTIVITY
VR MOVEMENT
RHINO 3D MODELING
INTRO TO RHINO
ENVIRONMENT MAPPING
RENEWABLES RESEARCH
THIS WEEK'S AGENDA
CLEAN/CHARGE SCHEDULE
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Day 1 Activity : Rube Goldberg/Simple Machines
In this studio, students will explore the medium of Virtual Reality in order to inform and educate others about renewable technologies. Virtual Reality allows users to step into virtual spaces and engage with novel experiences that are otherwise constrained by the physical world we inhabit. Students in this studio will create experiences that enrich our understanding of scientific principles, renewable technologies, and complex systems by designing there own virtual spaces.
In this course students will begin exploring fundamental physics principles, exploring real world physics examples as well as virtual physics simulations. Students will conduct research into renewable technologies, study the evolution of green tech, and hear from guest speakers working within the energy industry. In the end, students will create projects that use VR to tell stories, educate others, and realize the potential of fossil-fuel alternatives. Potential projects might include a gamified comparison of current energy tech, a virtual tour of an offshore wind farm, or a simulated "solar city".