With the script in hand, I began developing a detailed design plan for the physical and digital elements of the immersive experience. Sketching out set designs, props, and environments helped me visualise the immersive environment and its sensory elements. I then used Ai to enchance my sketches as they were so bad!
Set design and props:
I began by mindmapping the set designs and props, visualising every detail of the immersive environment. From the protagonist's art studio to the confines of the psychiatric ward, I aimed to create spaces that would transport participants into the heart of the narrative. Easels, canvases, and paintbrushes will fill the environment, and as you progress throughout the rooms, minimalist furnishings and sterile white walls will represent the psychiatric ward. Interactive props, such as paintings that come to life and objects that trigger sensory effects, will be integrated to enhance participant engagement.
I used Adobe After Effects to create these videos. I used Photoshop to create layered art prints, which I then exported into After Effects to be animated. I combined my own artwork with stock photos to create abstract pieces that reflected the eerie atmosphere I wanted to create. I added a flickering effect in photoshop to give the idea of descending into psychosis and the transition from wellness to delusions.
The environment will grow progressively darker as you move through the rooms, evoking a sense of dread. This will be accomplished by imitating the darkness of hospital corridors.
To blur the boundaries between art and reality, I want to incorporate moving artwork that comes to life before participants' eyes. Paintings would shift and morph, mirroring the protagonist's fractured perception of the world.
For my immersive project, I crafted a composite in Photoshop to represent the character's artwork. This composite served as a visual representation of the character's creative expression, capturing their emotions and inner world. To bring this artwork to life within the immersive experience, I animated the layers in After Effects.
Using After Effects, I added movement and depth to the composite, allowing it to shift and evolve. As participants interact with the environment, they will witness the character's artwork moving away from the walls, creating a sense of immersion and interactivity. This animated artwork adds another layer of storytelling to the immersive experience, leading participants deeper into the narrative and emotional journey of the character.
For my immersive project, I decided to create a moving artwork using After Effects. I wanted to visually depict the transition of the main character's mental health, so I incorporated a shattered effect to symbolize this journey. By animating the shattered pieces coming together or dispersing, I aimed to convey the fluctuating state of the character's mind throughout the experience.
Additionally, I envisioned my immersive experience to be filled with interactive moving artwork that engages the audience on multiple levels. Using After Effects, I created various scenes and elements that respond to user interaction, such as morphing shapes and dynamic movement. These interactive elements not only add visual interest but also invite participants to actively engage with the space, enhancing their overall experience.
During my client feedback meetings, I was advised to incorporate vibrating motors or haptic feedback devices into wearable accessories or props to give participants tactile sensations. A handheld object can, for example, vibrate or pulse in reaction to particular interactions or occurrences, giving the immersive experience a visceral element. To add an element of interactivity, I'm planning to install motion sensors throughout the immersive environment. For example, as participants approach certain objects or areas, the motion sensors could trigger changes in lighting, sound, or visual effects, further immersing them in the experience. In addition to tactile and visual stimuli, I'm also exploring the use of scent dispensers and temperature control devices to further enhance the sensory experience. By infusing the environment with fragrances or odors and creating subtle changes in temperature, I want to evoke specific atmospheres and trigger emotional responses in participants, deepening their immersion in the narrative . I'm considering the use of wind machines or fans to simulate breezes or gusts of wind within the immersive environment. These machines will add another layer of realism to outdoor scenes and create sensations that enhance the overall atmosphere of the experience. I'm considering incorporating tactile props that participants can touch, or interact with to trigger sensory effects. These props will add a tangible dimension to the experience, allowing participants to physically engage with the narrative world around them.
The above video was made in after effects. I used a mockup of an eerie wall and overlayed an image of paintbrushes with dripping blood in after effects. I wanted to include some kind of button on the wall where you could trigger some kind of vibrational sensory effect using haptic feedback devices that would vibrate when the mood changed from light to dark.
I made this video late at night when I was working on this project. I decided to take a bit of a break as I realised my project was getting quite dark and spooky. I'm not sure if I intended for it to be this dark, I was intending for more of a thriller style experience.I overlayed my artwork onto a mockup of a brightly coloured room to provide a sense of wellness and normality. The flickering lights I again used to represent the transition from stability to psychosis. I overlayed a paint texture and an unsettling image to portray the severity of the character's delusions.
Today, I explored After Effects to bring my project's immersive environments to life. I carefully designed each space to create a captivating atmosphere. I created a mysterious atmosphere by using visual effects, with a smoky ambiance and dynamic shadows from flickering lights. By incorporating scent dispensers, I can enhance the experience by introducing different smells that can create specific moods and evoke emotional reactions. The temperature changes in the simulation will make it more realistic , and the shifts in atmosphere are meant to increase tension and suspense as participants progress through the immersive experience. Smoke machines could be used to cover the immersive environment in an eerie mist, further enhancing the atmosphere and adding a sense of foreboding. The swirling smoke would dance around participants, obscuring their vision and heightening their sense of unease. A subtle drop in temperature would further immerse participants in the chilling atmosphere of the immersive experience. As they navigated the protagonist's world, they would feel a palpable sense of coldness , heightening their sense of discomfort and unease.Experimenting with lighting techniques, I sought to craft the perfect atmosphere to evoke the mood and tone of each scene. Dim, ambient lighting set the stage for moments of introspection and suspense, while dynamic lighting effects heightened the intensity of pivotal moments.
Interactive elements were crafted in aftereffects to engage participants and deepen their connection to the narrative. Tactile props such as tv displays, and interactive displays will be integrated into the environment, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Voices would emanate from different directions, whispering tauntingly in the audience's ears and adding to the sense of disorientation and paranoia. I made this TV display in after effects. I created a mask on the tv mockup so that the imagery would show behind the tv. I added some tv static to an adjustment layer. I created imagery of a screaming woman in photoshop using photomanipulation and digital collage techniques, I then overlayed some dripping blood. To finish off the video I added in some sound effects that provided the foreboding atmosphere I was looking for.
Sound design plays a crucial role in shaping the immersive experience, I want to include ambient sounds and haunting melodies adding depth and texture to the narrative. I thought about the idea of 3D spatial audio techniques to create a sense of presence and movement within the environment, positioning sound sources to guide participants' attention and reinforce the storytelling. I carefully curated a custom soundtrack that captured the mood and tone of each scene, from eerie whispers to haunting melodies.
Another addition to the immersive experience will be the integration of holograms to represent the protagonist's hallucinations. These holographic projections would materialise before participants, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Wisps of mist or fog would encircle the holograms, adding to the eerie atmosphere and heightening the sense of otherworldliness.
To deepen the immersion, I introduced a tangible element—an investigation board adorned with cut-out pieces of paper representing the character's attempts to decipher the origins of her hallucinations. Participants could interact with the board, moving the pieces around and trying to piece together the puzzle of the character's fractured mind. When creating the investigation board, I used Photoshop and combined different elements to make a striking centrepiece. I used blood textures and filters to create a dark and gloomy aesthetic, giving the board a mysterious and eerie appeal. I integrated the image into After Effects, enhancing it with spooky music effects and smoke overlays to create an eerie atmosphere.
A projection of words onto the ceiling adds another layer of immersion, allowing participants to literally see the character's thoughts and inner dialogue manifesting above them. As the character grapples with her hallucinations, cryptic messages and fragmented thoughts will appear, adding to the sense of disorientation and confusion. To create the floating words projection, I started conducting extensive research on words related to auditory hallucinations. This was important to make sure that the narrative depiction was authentic. I exported each chosen word as a PNG file and then carefully added particle effects to each word in After Effects. I carefully adjusted parameters like direction, scatterization, and size to make sure each particle/word matched the desired atmosphere and story context. These floating words would visually represent the main character's inner turmoil, adding depth and intrigue to the immersive experience.
To make the projection of floating words even better, I went a step further and overlaid them onto a wall mockup using After Effects. The additional layering enhanced the visual presentation and blended to create the immersive environment. I enhanced the spooky atmosphere by adding eerie sound effects that would echoe throughout the area, increasing the feeling of unease. In addition, I used a curves adjustment layer to make the atmosphere darker, which created a spooky background that matched the eerie visuals and sounds.
Although the development process has been drawn out and challenging, I have enjoyed developing the primary concepts for this project. I'm happy that Ben led me on a different route than I had planned to take. I believe that an immersive experience would be quite interesting and beneficial for my project.
The development process for this project has definitely been quite a journey, with its fair share of challenges and surprises. At first, I had a different idea for my project, but with Ben's help, I ended up exploring immersive experiences, which was unexpected. As I explored this concept further, I discovered its potential to provide something truly unique and advantageous for my project. Although I didn't intend for it to be scary at first, I started to realise the importance of a horror-themed immersive experience, especially for people with anhedonia who might benefit from increased mental stimulation. However, as I went through the development process, I faced challenges in making sure that my ideas were unique compared to what already exists. Even though I tried to bring new ideas into my work, I couldn't help but feel that I may not have succeeded. Moreover, expressing my thoughts visually presented a difficulty, as I found it hard to truly convey the core of my ideas. I must admit, I often found myself putting off certain tasks, especially when it came to making videos. It always seemed to take up so much time. However, even with these difficulties, I experienced great satisfaction in the creative process, giving myself the freedom to try new things and fully engage in the world of creativity.