While browsing my local library, I found a book titled “Designing Immersive 3D Experiences” by Renee Stevens gracing the New Books section. I immediately checked it out, as VR, Projection Mapping, and similar technologies have always fascinated me, both for their beauty and immersive qualities. The book contains a series of hands-on exercises designed to teach readers the principles of immersive design, while providing information on key concepts and knowledge involved in the field. My next few blog posts will show how I perform these exercises, and any other insights or ideas I develop while reading this book.

The first exercise, after chapter 2, involves looking around the room you are in (in this case, my bedroom) and seeing how AR could improve it:

• Consider the use of that room and what actions typically happen there.
• Consider how you use it, but also how others would use the room.
• What ways could AR be added to that space to improve it?
• What actions could be enhanced through the addition of a layer of information within the same space?

First, come up with ten different ideas for just the room you are in. Then take three of these that you are most excited about, and sketch out a rough drawing of what the AR experience would look like in its simplest form-for example, an augmented clock on the wall or a weather app next to your front door giving you real-time data about what it’s like outside. (Stevens 50) 

The list of eleven ideas I came up with included some basic things, like a clock, and a zoomable calendar that I could view and edit with minimal gestures. It also included some “fun to have” things, like the star ceiling and soothing music to relax to at night. Although I didn’t choose it for the final three ideas, I really like the idea of scanning a book on my shelf with just a glance, and then reading it later on a handheld device like a Kindle, or using a Head Mounted Display like Google Glasses. I chose an AR clock because I’d like to check the time without getting out of bed in the morning, and also avoid the doubt of “wait, did I set the alarm?” right after getting in bed. The calendar accomplishes the same basic functions of seeing what events are coming up on the go, and the star ceiling is both for fun and relaxation purposes.

In addition to appointments and alerts, my AR calendar has a weather function (with clothing suggestions), links relevant files (like train tickets or my work schedule) attached to corresponding events, and a map link to help me with directions if needed. It also can attach to Facebook or other social media pages to alert me to notifications such as friends birthdays, and is available in week, month, and year views. Google Calendar does have several of these features currently, but I think having everything on one page in AR would help people better manage their schedules.

My AR clock has an alarm function (with selectable tone or music built in), as well as the same weather function as the calendar. It also links to my AR calendar, and allows users to easily set, snooze, and turn off alarms. It also displays appropriate greetings like “Good Morning” or “Good Night,” but can also show date specific greetings like “Happy Birthday” or “Happy Thanksgiving.” Since most people tend to loathe their alarm clocks, my goal is make this AR clock as approachable and easy to use as possible.

My AR Star Sky comes in two modes: Day Mode and Sleep Mode. While the evening function shows season appropriate stars with soothing music, the Day Mode is used for learning about stars and space more in-depth. You can see what the night sky looks like in different places and times of year, see illustrations and stories explaining constellation names, and even track upcoming shuttle launches from government and private space agencies. For example, you could watch future mission launches live and track the spaceship’s course, or view information on historic missions like the Apollo program, complete with archival footage and audio. Planets and stars would also be searchable, and events like solar eclipses and meteor showers could be searched and bookmarked for daily reminders. This feature could be used for individual study, or in a science classroom for K-12 students with grad appropriate content. 

I am enjoying this workbook so far, and plan to complete each exercise to build my skills in immersive design. Are there any similar resources that you would recommend for learning skills in immersive design and multimedia? If so, feel free to post them in the comments below. In the meantime, I need to go buy some mini marshmallows for the next chapter!

Sources:

(Stevens, Renee. Designing Immersive 3D Experiences. Pearson Education Inc., 2022. p. 50.)