Prototype one:
Mata Hari
Shared Experience
Talisman Sketch 1
Talisman Sketch 2
I have been looking at my influences for my thesis, and my need for a narrative (myth) element in my work similar to Buey’s works. I’ve decided that each 3D installation will use UI/ HUD elements based around talismans and tarot cards.
Turning these talismans into methods for self reflection of the player, locomotion, and inventory. The idea of collection is very important to ritual, and these installations as tools to reflect on both the sublime and the humanistic.
Talisman Sketch 3
Artist Statement:
Subverting Level Design - Monumental Virtual Installation
Prototype one was born from the idea of sanctuary and a place of worship, and draws influence from Hiroshima Sugimoto’s photography, and the power of Brutalist architecture. It is a monumental virtual space that acts similarly to a ‘cathedral’. The central core of this space is a unique 3D artifact, or ‘relic’, called Mata Hari (working title), which functions similarly to other religious relics (think the Kaaba in Mecca). Surrounding this relic are effigies, simulacrum of the travelers that have come before. The *player can move about the space by collecting ‘talismans’. These talismans will be constructed of digital assemblage of found online imagery and will be based on the tarot and Campbellian archetypes. They, like the central relic, will allude to the male gaze, objectification, ritual, and fractured identity; raw human emotions juxtaposed to the harsh, sublime majesty that surrounds them.
*note – I will be using the term player to denote the active participant/user/viewer of the piece.
Modular Level Design:
Conceptualizing and Modeling the Installation Space
Original Sketch
Digital Collage
Level Concept
The Virtual Space
The level design of the virtual installations are the most particular part. I use digital collage in the initial steps of digitization. Once these sketches are finished, I then concept out the actual space further, looking toward proper locomotion for the player, and building a modular design remap for the asset builds in Blender and Substance. Once this key space is mapped out, I then further identify hero assets and then repeat the process of concepts, sketches, and build. These concepts and early builds are tested and updated routinely.
Modular Level Elements Gallery
Samples of modular sketches and meshes
User Journey Storyboards
For player locomotion and scale
Digital Artifact Design:
Conceptualizing, Tessellation, Texturing, and Modeling
The key aspect of the piece will be the Mata Hari digital artifact. Seeking something wholly original, digital collage and generative art were the first part to the sketches. These were further refined and then a series of procedural tessellations in Blender were done. Modeling and Texturing are done with procedurally and in nodes. Once these elements are finalized everything is optimized and UV maps are generated for textures and light maps for integration into Unreal Engine 4.
Sound Design:
Soundscapes and SFX
With Mata Hari I really want to emphasize ambience with mixed with tracks of worship. The human voice is important, with Gregorian chanting being an option. I’m looking to do some bit crushing with a 2.5 to half speed playback for a more artificial/digital sound, then adding environmental effects as needed. Below is a sample of work – Dark Monastery Gregorian Chants.
App Platform Design:
Interactive Web Design for the App Platform
A key part to tie my Thesis paper and my thesis Projects will be my thesis website that will host the finish apps. I really want to tie my digital work to the postmodernist artists that are highlighted in my paper with narrative elements through my website. Making the experience really unique and appealing. Tying the ideas of the enlightenment, and mythology and Reconstructivism. Finally, I look towards subverting traditional UI/UX methodology and web design to make a strong conceptual web flow.