J.A.N.I.S.

Problem

J.A.N.I.S considers how large corporations may contribute to ocean pollution and how this pollution affects oceanic creatures. Additionally, J.A.N.I.S seeks to address how immersive tactile experiences can be more beneficial to learning than traditional virtual reality. Due to mixed reality including more sensory input, the player is able to be immersed and experience the effects of pollution in a different and more empathetic way.

Process

We started by brainstorming ways to utilize a physical space in tandem with a digital space to tell an immersive story.  Once the narrative was chosen, concept art  and sketches were created to get an idea of the project. We first created a physical space and used a variety of techniques to develop the digital space including photogrammetry, Fusion 360 modeling, and Maya modeling. The digital space was created in Unity utilizing the Oculus headset and software development kit (SDK). We’ve created physical objects for a tactile experience then mimicked them in the digital space to immerse the player, such as the taste buds of the whale’s tongue out of shower mats.