Class 1: Design Tools

TOOLS

Spatial Narrative Action Spaces Proxemics

I. Look for Spatial Narratives

Define settings

• Who is my user group? Who are my stakeholders?

• Why does my client want to have a VR/AR/MR experience? What the proposed purpose of the product? And, do we agree?

• When will the product be used? What does this moment look like? Is it a casual moment? Does the moment occur repetitiously?

• Where will the product be used? What kind of environment? What kind of feel does this environment have? Who are present? And who are not?

• How is the product used? Does it need support? Is that available?

• What are we going to make that is contributory to the clients needs and society as well?

Formation Spatial Narrative

- Integration: How are spatial territories defined and integrated? - Flow: What obstacles and openings are placed? - Choice: What choice do users have?

A. SPACE

source: What architecture adds to building

B. NARRATIVE

narrative techniques

further reading: - Narrative Theory - Periodic Table of Storytelling

II. Spatial Planning

Space planning

intimate - personal - social - public

heatmap audio intensity

III. Proxemics

Define proxemics

Video: Character Building through movement

IV. Action Spaces

scene

1st - 2nd - 3rd action spaces

define interactive elements & use cues

Additional

Storytelling basics

Define settings

• Who is my user group? Who are my stakeholders?

• Why does my client want to have a VR/AR/MR experience? What the proposed purpose of the product? And, do we agree?

• When will the product be used? What does this moment look like? Is it a casual moment? Does the moment occur repetitiously?

• Where will the product be used? What kind of environment? What kind of feel does this environment have? Who are present? And who are not?

• How is the product used? Does it need support? Is that available?

• What are we going to make that is contributory to the clients needs and society as well?

How to Start Telling Stories

• Start with your message and goals (who, what, where, when, how, why)

• Know special needs for special target groups

• Define the type of experience

• Create effective dialogues (emotional & expressive)

• Syntax: Periodic Table of Storytelling -sequence & order, cause & effect, problem & solution, compare & contrast

• Semantics: Plot - situation, empathy, intentions, character, dialogue, conflict, resolution, call-to-action

• Pragmatics: Translate the plot to 360/VR - presence, point-of-view, 1st person, 3rd person

Building Narrative Structures: weaving the braid

Interactive Narrative Structures

Marie – Laure Ryan lists 9 possible interactive narrative structures (see above):

1. The Complete graph structure,

2. The network structure,

3. The Tree structure,

4. The Vector with Side Branches,

5. The Maze structure,

6. The Directed Network, or Flow Chat,

7. The Hidden Story structure,

8. The Braided Plot,

9. Action Space, Epic Wandering and Story-World.

Breaking Immersion: The Fourth Wall

Henry

Breaking the fourth wall was common in Elizabethan theatre, specifically in Shakespeare's works. There is an unparalleled connection between audience and story in VR when a storyteller knows how to manage the medium. An almost visceral reaction can be evoked in audiences when a Director knows how to leverage Virtual Reality to tell his/her story. When Henry looks directly at us - in context- in the well made VR film of the same name, there is no denying the feeling of ‘presence’ the audience feels when viewing Henry in VR.

Storyboarding: integrate SPACE, TIME and STORY

Make a journey map and define touchpoints

Define the journey and the touchpoints

further reading: beginner's guide to user journey mapping