Assignment
PART TWO:
Research Proposal: Crafting Your Emerging Research Project (2500 words minimum):
The second part of the assignment requires you to design and plan a larger design project based on one of the technologies outlined in the first half of the module. You will you then use this plan to guide the development of your ideas, which form the 2nd assignment.
You will employ design-based research methodologies to meticulously plan your selected emerging research project.
Your research project plan should encompass the following essential components:
Research Overview (: In this section, carefully outline the scope of your research project. This includes a comprehensive consideration of the user experience (UX) aspects of your plan, along with any ethical considerations relevant to your research topic.
Project Plan (Milestones, User Stories, Trello Boards etc.): Provide a project plan that outlines the various milestones you intend to achieve throughout the course of your research project. This can be done using techniques such as Scrum’s User Stories, Task management boards to articulate user-centric goals. Outline the sequence of activities, anticipated timeframes, and key deliverables at each milestone. This section should offer a structured timeline that clearly conveys the progression of your research endeavor. The milestones will be used to check progress during the second half of this module.
Concept Storyboard: Present a visual representation of your project’s concept through a storyboard. This storyboard should offer a sequential depiction of the user journey and interaction with your emerging technology or design. Use this storyboard as a means to encapsulate the essence of your project’s concept and user engagement in a visually engaging manner.
Throughout this research proposal, ensure a coherent flow of ideas and attention to detail. This will lay the foundation for the successful execution of your emerging research project in the latter part of the module.
Examples (Not an exhaustive list but some initial ideas to get you thinking) We will provide examples each week of some of these concepts.
- Immersive 360 video prototype (Using Maya, Unreal/Unity and output to 360 video) – eg. Alice in Wonderland concept, Other stories you wish to bring life too within an immersive context.
- Augmented Reality Design i.e. Interactive story book, Interactive Murals/Graffiti Art
- Immersive Art Gallery – Research a series of artists or art pieces and consider a 360 version the audience can experience.
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Whilst working on this assessment the following use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including Language Models such as ChatGPT, is permitted:
- Idea generation: Use them to brainstorm ideas, concepts, and arguments related to your assessment. It can assist you in generating diverse perspectives that you can further research and develop.
- Understanding Technical Concepts: Students can input challenging terms or concepts to receive explanations that are more accessible.
- Structure: Use the tool to provide an outline structure for you to work from
AI-systems are prone to hallucinations. Always ensure that you augment the AI-output by at least one or two additional academic resources so that you can verify the position.
If using LLM as an academic source, you should quote from it directly using reference appropriate to your discipline. For support in use of and referencing of AI tools, visit the Library’s AI skills guide.
Brief
I have been Tasked with using the Research from the Previous Blog Posts and make my own Emerging Technology Experience for People to have a look at. I need to make Ideas on what Emerging Technology I will go with but also what I want to show what I can do with this New Technology.
Research overview
Project Ideas and Past Ideas
WebVR (FrameVR) – Digital Portfolio of all my stuff I created through my Education Years would be a great Idea. This allows me to show off my work to people but also leave some text for them on How I created my Assets, what Inspired the creation and maybe give them a little bit of my life story.
AR (WebGL) – Digital Assets shown with One or Multiple Images. People can then look at my Assets up close and a complete 360 View of all of them.
AR (Zapworks) – Animated Project of a Floating Island with Moving Water, Leaves from the Trees, Glowing of Lanterns, Wind and Moving Grass.
AR (Adobe Aero) – I could make a Digital Gallery of some of my Assets I made through my Education years. Using a Big Empty Room to place all my Assets and have text to explain how I made my Assets and what Inspired me to make them.
VR, AR, XR (Oculus) – I would create a Multi-world Project, a little like Super Mario’s World Selection and you get a Mini World as a visual. Shows off some Artistic Themed Worlds.
Final project idea
For the 360 Video in Autodesk Maya or Unreal Engine with the Off World Plugin, My Idea was to have a Mental Health Awareness as the main Objective. The User will be in the perspective of a Boy who suffers from Mental Health via Anxiety and Depression. One of his friends shows up to help cheer him up and give Him some Closure.
What the Project is?
My project is a Educational Experience. The Project is about understanding Mental Health Awareness through the Perspective of a boy who suffers from Mental health with Anxiety and Depression.
Key Objectives
- I want the User to get a better understanding of Mental Health by being in the shoes of Someone who has Mental Health
- Learn how Mental Health affects a Person’s Daily Life and their aspects on how they see the World
- I want the User to get used to their surroundings and the situation that they are in
- I want the user to get an insight on Mental Health can do through Visual Effects like Greyscale, Vision Blur, Muffled Sound, Whispers and Visual Text
- I want to User to listen to the Conversation the Character is saying Directly to the user.
Research Concept
There are good amount of 360 Videos about Mental Health. There is many different types of Mental Health, some can effect very little on Someone to Majorly.
Anxiety is an Example, having so many different types. Anxiety happens when a Person gets a feeling of Dread, Fear or Uneasiness due to Stress, being Afraid or Pressure. Anxiety can also have some Physical Signs like Sweating, Faster Heartrate, Tensing or Restless.
The most Common type being Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), where someone can get Anxiety for no obvious reason. this can affect everyday life like Sleep Issues and can struggle to concentrate on Work.
Another common one is Social Anxiety Disorder struggle going out and talking with people, they tend to stay quiet and away from Public Areas. Symptoms may be Different with each Person.
There is 360 Videos about Anxiety and the different types people can have and how they can trigger. Being able to see what happens to a Person with Anxiety can be a real eye opener to people and they can start to help people with their Anxieties.
Anxiety Example:
Inside Anxiety is a great example of showing off Anxiety in a 360 Video Format. Taking Place in a Bedroom and allowing the User to watch the Person with Anxiety in the room what they are doing. Further in the video the Camera will switch from the Room Shot to the Perspective of the Victim, seeing what’s going on through their eyes and their head.
Depression is another Example, some days Depression can affect someone very little. People will go on with their Daily Lives not feeling down but some days, Depression can hit someone like a truck and make them not want to get out of Bed in the morning.
Depression is also known for Taking the Life’s of our Loved Ones. Usually once their Family has found out about their Depression it can be too late. So videos started to pop up about Depression, the symptoms and get them the help they need to help with getting through Life. This helps people be more Aware.
There are 360 Videos of Depression. Some take the perspective of someone who has Depression or a 360 View of their room and you get to see what Depression does to someone behind closed doors.
Depression Examples:
VR Experience of Depression is another good example of showing what Depression is like in a 360 Video Format. Showing a camera on top of the Victims Head, showing their Bedroom and they are laying on their Bed. This story is about Depression getting so big that the Victim can’t get out of bed in the Morning.
For some narrative, the victim talks in her mind about why she can’t get up and asking what is wrong with her. Her Friend comes in to check on her to make sure she is okay, whilst in the Victims mind, she talking negatively about Herself.
Other Quick Examples:
A Story of a Man named David who had a Manic Bipolar Episode. He has spent 4 months in a White Room, taking us on a journey though exploring the struggles of Mental Health.
This Video is about People with Autism and how it affects them Mentally when receiving too much information. Warning, there is a lot of flashing lights and sounds.
How will my Mental Health Awareness 360 Video be different?
The way ill be showing my 360 Video, is through a Animation. The Animation’s Environment is based from my Manga Story I created. The Character who talks to you is one of the main Characters. Also the Viewer is playing as the other Main Character who is trying to cope with his Mental Health.
User-Centred Design
My Target Audience is towards people who need to understand what Mental Health is, how people with Mental Health see the world and What happens with their Everyday life dealing with their Problems.
The Experience needs to be delivered in a Straight Forward and a Understanding Manner. Making sure that the Subtitles are easy to read and the Voice clear for the user to Hear and Understand.
The Purpose is to have people who want to learn more about Mental Health or Get People to understand more about Mental Health, the Symptoms and how it can affect a Person. I want the Viewers to have am Immersed 360 Experience of what its like to be in the Shoes of a Person with Mental Health. That way they can pay more attention to the Story and learn on what Mental Health is.
Content Development
The First thing that came into my mind was getting one of my Assets I’ve created from the Previous Assignments and Modules.
My 3D Character. Aureline Musashi the Mouse Faunus. I have been able to mention and create Her in my Previous Years at University of Hull. Now I am going to use her model again from my Character Animation Assignment, now I will have used Her for all my Years.
I will be making Her the Friend that will come Talk to the Viewer. She will be asking if everything is okay and will notice the Viewer’s behavior is off and will comfort you.
Other Assets I need to consider for my Project:
- Ocean, Waves, Foam
- Lights, Sun, Streetlights,
- Grass, Trees, Flowers, Bushes
- Buildings, Textures, Decor
- Path, Cobblestone, Streets Props and Textures
Storytelling and Narrative
This Project is based in my Manga Story that is currently in development. Using my Manga’s Environment to help with a setting for the Scene. I need to keep the Style consistent throughout to not distract the Viewer from the Storytelling.
To make sure the Viewer stays on track with the Story, there will be Glowing orbs to catch attention of the Viewer to look in a certain Direction. Also using Audio to help with the storytelling, like having a Female Voice for Aureline. This would Grab the Attention of the Viewer and Focus on Her Dialogue.
The Story will be using Characters to add Narrative to the Story, the conversation between the Viewer and Aureline is what will drive the Story forward. This will help with getting insight to Mental Health and how Aureline will try to help the Viewer by Comforting and Reassurance.
Technology and Tools
The Technology that will be used as the base my Project is a 360 Video Format. I will need a Camera that will be able to capture in a 360 shot of the Environment. Luckily there are some Software that offer 360 Cameras to use, like Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 5 which also can Render Frames.
A Tool I could use if I went with Unreal Engine 5 is a Plugin called Off World. This Plugin allows for more Features when using a 360 Camera like 8k Resolution and better rendering times. One notable one is allowing the Camera to move instead of being still.
Autodesk Maya cannot do this and trying tends to come with rendering problems like halve of the 360 Render is missing or Visual effects will be glitchy.
Ethical Considerations
The Experience can be done in a VR Headset or watching normally through the 360 Video Format on YouTube, if they tend to get Dizzy, Nauseous or Sick. The must make sure that they are Seated at all times when Using a VR Headset with Health Conditions.
I need to make sure that the Video will start with a Warning about potential Flashing Lights, Sounds, Dizziness, Epilepsy.
I have to make the Story Clear and Understanding and Reduce as much False Information as Possible. Failing to do so will miss the message I’m trying to get across to the Viewers and I don’t want to give the wrong message.
Laws and Regulations
Privacy is a big concern when using products Online or in the Real World. I need to make sure that the Viewer and their Data is safe and only used under strict data protection.
I need to make sure that the Content is the same as the one I want to show them. If the Content was different to what the Viewer is experiencing, they will be dissatisfied and could lead to the 360 Video for Misleading Content.
I need to inform the Viewer of the Content and what could be included in them. If there is any Violence or Explicit Content involved, I need to Tell the Viewer before they get into the Experience.
I need to set an age on my Content. Since this is talking about Mental Health this won’t be suitable for Kids, it will give them Trauma, Scared or give a kid a epileptic Fit. Mature Audiences (13 and Above) can only watch. But they start to receive any symptoms, they must stop playing the Video and take a Breather.
People still needs to Catch-up with this current Technology, still being new and fast developing.
Project Plan
Timeline/table Here
A Rough Project Timetable of what ill be doing on each week, leading up to the Project’s Deadline.
Quick Description:
Story – You are a Boy named @#*%. You are going through some tough times, so you decide to go out for a Walk. Soon, you arrive at the City’s Beach.
Thinking it would be a Good idea to look at the Ocean and Take in the Sounds, you stop by a Stone Wall to take it all in.
Minutes pass by. The feeling of Anxiety isn’t going away, even takes grasp of you more. Until one of your Friends show up to check on you. Your Ray of Hope…
General Theme – Mental Health Awareness
General Audience – The Target Audience is towards People who suffer from Mental health, who want to know more about Mental Health and towards people who need to understand what Mental Health does to someone and how it affects Someone’s Daily Living.
Environment Style – Cartoon/Anime Style (Cel Shaded)
Software Potentially Used – Autodesk Maya or Unreal Engine 5 (Off World Plugin)
Concept Storyboard
(Warning: The Storyboard could Potentially change during Development.)
Timeframe: 0 – 10 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind
The Player will start with looking out to the Ocean. Giving the User time to look around at the Environment and its Style, Hoping to giving them enough time to take in the Scene and the Sounds. Properly Place something at the Sun to grab the User’s Attention, to keep looking in that direction.
Timeframe: 10 – 13 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays, Emissive Glow, Glowing Particles
Sounds: Waves, Wind
Once the User has gotten used to the Atmosphere and Style, A Glowing Orb will appear and start moving to the Left of the User’s Vision. The Glowing Orb should be able to grab the attention of the User. The User will notice and follow the Glowing Orb, towards the direction its going.
Timeframe: 13 – 18 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays, Electricity(?)
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
Whilst the User is turning left, a Female Voice will be heard and directed towards the User. ”Hey there, Big Boy~”, “Enjoying the view?”. The User will then see a Tall Female standing a Meter from them. The User will notice that She is a Mouse Faunus and not Human.
She has Mouse Ears, Tail, Black Skin, Dirty Golden Hair, Custom Black Leather Jacket with Shirt, Dark Blue Jeans and Black Shoes.
Timeframe: 18 – 25 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
She will then move closer to you. She will then proceed going around you and say “Its quite the view, indeed.”. The User will Focus on Her, whilst she is moving around you. I want the User to Focus on the Conversation. This also allows the User to see more of the Environment if they chose not to look around at the Start.
Timeframe: 25 – 28 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
She will then stand beside you and look towards the Ocean. She will then say to the User, “I could look at that sunset all day! Don’t you agree?”. The User can keep looking at Her or divide their attention back to the Sun. Will use a Black Orb to grab the User’s attention towards the Sun.
Timeframe: 28 – 33 Seconds
Effects: Greyscale, Blackened Vision, Blur
Sounds: Eerie Noise(?), Whispers, Laughter(?) Waves (Muffled), Wind(Muffled), Female Voice (Muffled)
The User will see that the Sun has changed into a Different colour with a creepy smile, looking directly at you. All the colour from the world will fade into Greyscale.
Blur and Blackness will start to happen around the User’s Vision but the Sun’s Direction will still be clear. Text will show when looking at the Sun, calling the User a “Monster”, “Mistake”, “Killer” and a “Mud Blood”.
Timeframe: 33 – 36 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays (Fade in), Greyscale (Fade out), Blackened Vision (Fade out), Blur (Fade out)
Sounds: Fading Eerie Noise(?), Fading Whispers, Fading Laughter(?) Waves, Wind, Female Voice
Aureline will notice that you are not paying attention to Her. So, She will use her Tail in front of the Viewers Vision to grab their attention.
She will say “Hello~” “You seemed quite out of it then.”
Timeframe: 36 – 50 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
Realising that you are getting distracted, She becomes more concerned about your Wellbeing. “Hey, are you ok?”
“You never zone out when talking to me.”
“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
“No matter how Big or Small the problem is, ill always listen.”
I want the Viewer to know that Aureline does care for their Mental Health and that She will do anything to make sure that You are alright.
Timeframe: 50 – 55 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays, Greyscale (Fade in and out), Blackened Vision (Fade in and out), Blur (Fade in and out)
Sounds: Quiet Eerie Noise(?), Quiet Whispers, Quiet Laughter(?) Waves, Wind, Female Voice
During Her talk, Darkness will appear at the Bottom of the Viewers Vision, prompting them to look down. Aureline’s Voice starts to get Muffled. The Darkness will say “She can’t Help :)”, Hinting the Viewers Dark Thoughts and trying to Push Aureline away.
Timeframe: 55 – 65 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
She noticed you are getting Distracted again. So She gets closer to you and She uses her Physic Powers on Her voice to override the Dark Thoughts, You start to hear Her clear as day again.
“Hey! Look at me!”
“I don’t know what is going on inside that Head of yours.”
“But always Remember, I will be by Your side no matter what.”
“You are a Wonderful Person. You are Shy but you are Kind and Chill around People.”
“You even Helped me get through my Problems when I thought no one could Help me.”
Her talking to the Viewer, distracts them from the Dark Thoughts that they have been Hearing. Slowly fading away, having full Focus on Her and Her Calming Voice.
Timeframe: 65 – 75 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
After that, She will Hug the Viewer to make them Feel Safe and Reassured that they are Cared for.
“Remember, Your Family Cares for you.”
Your Friends Care for you, I Care about You.”
“Please don’t ever think I will not be there for you in your Darkest Moments, you mean the World to me.”
Timeframe: 75 – 90 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
She will finish Her hug and proceed to put bother her Hands on the Viewers ‘Shoulders’. She will say a few more words before trying to change the Subject to bring the Viewers Mood back up again.
“I will always Love you, no doubt in my mind.”
“Remember that, okay?”
“Now! Enough of that Sadness Crap!”
Timeframe: 90 – 130 Seconds
Effects: Sunrays
Sounds: Waves, Wind, Female Voice
She will start to talk about meeting her Mother for the first time. Reassuring that everything is going to be okay and she thinks highly of the Viewer. She promises that the Viewer will be okay as long as they stick together.
“C’mon, lets go to my House. My Mother has been dying to finally meet you!”
“She is wondering what you look like, She’s betting that you are a small Cutie~”
“Well my Mom is not Wrong, You give off a Cuddly vibe.”
“Let’s not keep her Waiting, she making us some Dinner!”
“Don’t worry! You will be fine, she already thinks of you in a good light”
“We will get through this, Together~”
“C’mon, Lets Go! I’m getting Excited and Hungry!”
Timeframe: 130 – 140 Seconds
Effects: None
Sounds: None
The experience will end. But before finishing, the screen will fade to Black and give a Quote about Mental Health. Delivering a Final but strong message to leave on for the Viewer to think about.
References
MBD (2020) Seclusion Room: A 360°/VR Short film about mental health by MBD. YouTube. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0nh1mR7XiE [Accessed 28 Oct. 2024].
National Autistic Society (2016) Autism TMI Virtual Reality Experience. YouTube. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgDR_gYk_a8 [Accessed 28 Oct. 2024].
Off World Live (2021) 360 Degree Virtual Camera for Unreal Engine. Off World Live Limited. Available online: https://offworld.live/products/360-degree-camera-for-unreal-engine [Accessed 28 Oct. 2024].
Riordan, K. (2023) A Complete Guide to World Mental Health Day Famous Quotes. SwagMagic blog. Available online: https://www.swagmagic.com/blog/world-mental-health-day-quotes/ [Accessed 30 Oct. 2024].
Scotland, B. (2019) Inside Anxiety – A 360 Degree VR Video Drama | BBC Scotland. YouTube. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa7eX5BPt3Q [Accessed 28 Oct. 2024].
VERE360 (2018) VERE360 | VR Experience of Depression. YouTube. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP28kc3DfGo [Accessed 28 Oct. 2024].