Animation 2022 Student Projects

In 2022, Animation students from the Narrative Experimentations subject were invited to conceptualise, design and develop a 360º immersive projects for the Data Arena. These group-based projects could either be video-based with supporting physical elements in the theatre, or live and interactive.

Designing for the Data Arena

The challenge for students was to appropriately utilise the affordances of the Data Arena, such as:

• using the 360º display to orient visitors as part of a storytelling process, rather than simply upscaling a concept that would function on a traditional display
• positioning audio in 3D space across our 16-channel sound system to focus attention to specific areas of the display
• using our Motion Capture system to create multi-user interactions
• adding physical objects to compliment on-screen material

Video-based projects were supported by physical elements in the theatre. The groups developed clever props to help tell their story “in the round” of the theatre with prompted interactions across playback.

Interactive projects were developed as live-running Unreal Engine experiences. These projects utilised our Motion Capture system trackers to give up to 8 visitors a way to interact with the story. Most projects responded to realtime tracker movements, allowing participants to trigger video playback and level sequences by simply walking to particular areas of the room

Credits

2022 was the 3rd year of this subject interaction, with some of the best projects we’ve seen yet. The brilliant students and their goofy groups behind these projects are listed below.