Objective: Understand how VR/metaverse works by building an analog contraption that "hacks your senses" and transports you to another reality - bridging physical prototyping with digital VR concepts.

Part 1: Analog Sense Hacking (Physical)

Challenge: Using ONLY analog materials, create a mechanism, contraption, or device that can:

• Transport you to somewhere else, OR
• Turn you into something/someone else

Materials Allowed:

• Cardboard - boxes, tubes, sheets for structure
• Paper - different textures, weights, tracing paper
• Colors - paints, markers, colored gels, filters
• Film/Transparencies - colored cellophane, acetate sheets
• Lenses - magnifying glasses, old glasses, bottles
• Mirrors/Reflective surfaces
• String/Tape/Glue - to build contraptions
• Sound makers - bells, paper, crinkly materials, tubes as resonators
• Fabric/Textures - create tactile experiences

Example Approaches:

Part 2: Analog to Digital Translation

After building your physical contraption, document how each analog technique maps to digital VR concepts:

Part 3: Reflection & Documentation

Answer these questions in your documentation:

1. Sensory Manipulation: Which sense did you prioritize (vision, sound, touch)? Why?
2. Illusion of Presence: What made your contraption feel immersive? What broke the illusion?
3. Scale & Perspective: How did changing scale/distance affect the experience?
4. Field of View: How did restricting peripheral vision change immersion?
5. Color Psychology: How did color choices affect the mood/atmosphere?
6. Directional Sound: If you used sound, how did placement affect spatial awareness?
7. 360° Surround: How did surrounding yourself with elements create the illusion of "being there"?
8. Digital Translation: List at least 5 direct mappings from your analog techniques to VR programming concepts (FOV, scale, color, spatial audio, etc.)

Programming Fundamentals Learned:

• ✅ Scale: How object size creates perspective and depth
• ✅ Field of View (FOV): Controlling what the user can see
• ✅ Color Theory: Using color to set mood and atmosphere
• ✅ Spatial Audio: Placing sound in 3D space for directionality
• ✅ Layering/Depth: Creating illusion of 3D with 2D elements
• ✅ 360° Environments: Why surrounding matters for presence
• ✅ Peripheral Vision: How limiting view increases immersion
• ✅ Sensory Prioritization: Which senses matter most for VR

Deliverable:

• Physical contraption - Your analog VR device
• Photos/Video - Document the experience from inside and outside
• Mapping document - Table showing analog technique → digital equivalent
• Reflection (500-800 words) - Answering the questions above
• Presentation (optional) - Demo your contraption to others and explain the VR concepts learned

Objective: Analyze an existing metaverse experience using spatial design principles

Instructions:

1. Choose a platform: Visit Mozilla Hubs, Spatial, VRChat, or another accessible metaverse platform
2. Explore a space: Spend at least 30 minutes navigating and experiencing the environment
3. Document your analysis: Use the framework below
4. Present findings: Create a short presentation or written report

Analysis Framework:

• First Impressions: What was your spawn experience? How did you feel entering?
• Wayfinding: Could you navigate easily? What helped or hindered orientation?
• Scale & Proportion: Did spaces feel appropriately sized? Any disorienting scale issues?
• Lighting & Atmosphere: How did lighting shape the mood? Was it functional and expressive?
• Social Design: Did the space support social interaction? How?
• What Worked: Identify 3 strengths of the design
• Improvement Opportunities: Suggest 3 specific design improvements

Deliverable:

Written critique (500-800 words) with screenshots documenting your observations

Objective: Design a virtual art gallery from concept to spatial layout

Design Brief:

Create a virtual gallery to showcase 10-15 artworks. The gallery should accommodate solo viewing and small group tours (3-5 people).

Instructions:

1. Research: Visit 2-3 virtual galleries for reference (Spatial, Frame VR, or museum VR experiences)
2. Sketch layout: Create top-down 2D floor plan with zones and flow
3. Plan user journey: Map the path from entry to exit, considering pacing
4. Design details: Specify lighting, scale, materials, atmosphere
5. Document: Create design specification with rationale

Requirements:

• Clear entry experience with orientation
• Logical flow that encourages exploration
• Varied spatial rhythm (open and intimate areas)
• Appropriate lighting for artwork visibility
• Social spaces that don't overcrowd viewing areas

Deliverable:

Design document with floor plan sketch, user journey map, material/lighting specs, and design rationale

Objective: Explore avatar design as identity expression and analyze accessibility considerations

Instructions:

1. Create avatars: Use Ready Player Me, VRoid, or platform-specific creators to make 3 different avatars representing different aspects of your identity
2. Test in context: Use these avatars in social VR spaces and observe how they affect your behavior
3. Analyze: Reflect on how avatar choice influenced your interactions
4. Design thinking: Sketch an avatar customization system that supports diverse identities

Analysis Questions:

• How did your avatar choice affect how you acted? How others treated you?
• What customization options felt essential vs superficial?
• What identities or body types were difficult or impossible to represent?
• How could avatar systems be more inclusive and accessible?

Deliverable:

Reflective essay (600-1000 words) with screenshots of your avatars and sketch of improved avatar system

Objective: Design a virtual space for a specific community with social dynamics in mind

Instructions:

1. Choose community: Select a community you're familiar with (book club, gaming group, professional network, etc.)
2. Research needs: What activities does this community do? What do they need from a space?
3. Design space: Create spatial layout supporting both large gatherings and small conversations
4. Plan moderation: How will community be kept safe and welcoming?
5. Onboarding flow: Design new member introduction experience

Consider:

• Capacity planning: How many concurrent users?
• Activity zones: Where do different activities happen?
• Social hierarchies: Public vs private spaces
• Moderation tools: How to prevent harassment?
• Rituals and norms: What behaviors should the space encourage?

Deliverable:

Complete design specification: floor plan, user journey, community guidelines, moderation plan, and mockups/sketches