Projects
Winds of Orbis
Winds of Orbis was my project at the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center and was an IGF Student Showcase Finalist. The project ran during the spring and fall semesters of 2008. The goal of the project was to prove to the game industry that active games can be fun, deep and meaningful. We created a proof-of-concept prototype that includes over 20 minutes of gameplay using a full hardware setup of a Wii Remote, Nunchuk and floor pad.
The 'Winds of Orbis', developed at CMU's Entertainment Technology Center, is the first action-adventure title to promote physically active play by combining Nintendo's motion sensing Wii Remote and Nunchuk with a re-designed floor pad. The gamer can literally step into the shoes of a virtual hero to explore an immersive world, combat enemies, cast spells, and solve puzzles. A Hero's Journey-style story adds emotional investment to the revolutionary physical game mechanics.
Chicago Public Library Teen Space
CPeLevated was a location base entertainment project at the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center and was funded by MacArthur Foundation. The project ran during the spring semesters of 2009.
The Chicago Public Library provided us with a floorplan and the vision they developed with the MacArthur Foundation and the Digital Youth Network. From there, we were able to begin our design in earnest. To the top is one of the first pictures we took of the space, which was being used for storage at the time.
We began with many hours of research in which we searched the internet, read architectural, interior and color design books, and learned about existing teen spaces and programs in other cities. Additionally, we made sure to visit the space in person early on, so that we could take measurements and pictures that we could use for reference as we worked on the design back in PIttsburgh. Our visit also allowed us to speak with the students and mentors of the YouMedia program (which would be housed in the space) for the first time and get their thoughts on what they wanted in the space.
After these early stages, we began sketching ideas on whiteboards and copies of the floorplan, and built a scale model out of foamcore to help us understand how objects were going to fit in the space. We even made a 3D virtual space. All of these tools helped us iterate quickly. On a weekly basis, we presented our plans and collected feedback from our clients, and incorporated their suggestions into new designs.
Based on that feedback, we gave a lot of thought not only to the layout of the room, but to what might go in it. We researched and brainstormed custom furniture and bookshelves for the space and designed some concepts that would help inform our choices for commercially available products in line with our vision later down the line - especially when it was clear that custom-made pieces would be an ineffective application of our budget. We also leveraged our creative talents to choose a color scheme and design for the room. Color was used to delineate different areas of the space where teens could hang out, mess around and take workshops.
We also leveraged our creative talents to choose a color scheme and design for the room. Color was used to delineate different areas of the space where teens could hang out, mess around and take workshops. Additionally, we would be challenged by the selection of colors in wall paint and furniture, since we couldn't see the physical objects in the space before they were purchased. Our 3D visualizations helped us balance the colors as our clients made the final choices.
As our project reached an end, we knew we wanted to contribute a signature interactive piece to the room that would complement its themes of creativity and social activity. This desire manifested itself in the form of our "LCD Tree." The tree trunk is a magnetic whiteboard surface to which teens can write on and post items, while the five LCD picture frames can be set to display images the teens and mentors want to show. Chicago Scenic Studios took our design (left) and built an elegant, colorful installment that we feel is representative and even iconic of the space.
The YouMedia space opened on July 10, 2009, two months after the culmination of our design project. During those two months, Chicago Scenic Studios and the library's union workers from U.S. Equities delivered on our plans and manufactured a truly fantastic room where any teenager can feel comfortable just hanging out after school, playing games, doing homework, or learning new digital skills via the YouMedia workshops.
Here is the POST-MORTERM
