Alternate Realities

IM-UH 3111
Classroom: Arts Center Rm.153
Time: Tuesday 2:40 pm – 5:20 pm, Thursday 4:05 pm – 5:20 pm
Instructor: Sarah Fay Krom
Email: sfk3@nyu.edu
Office: Arts Center

 

Course Description
Alternate realities, whether all-encompassing (Virtual Reality – VR) or additive (Augmented Reality -AR) are becoming more and more ubiquitous. This can be attributed to two emerging dynamics. The first is the wide availability on the consumer market of a range of newly developed hardware, from cheap DIY kits such as the Google Cardboard to full motion-capture systems like the HTC Vive. The second, in parallel, is the stream-lined development process that has emerge as a result of relatively free software and easily accessible professional code libraries. The combination of both phenomenons has made it easier than ever to prototype, experiment with, and release alternate forms of reality. With these new technologies at our disposal, how can we harness them to push our conceptual understanding of storytelling, personal expression, and human experiences into unchartered territories?
 
In this hands-on design and production course, students will be introduced to 3D software development through the Unity platform as well as a design framework for producing interactive virtual reality experiences. Over the course of the semester, students will learn the basics of 3D modeling, interaction design, and spatialized sound. Each student group will ultimately produce a project that will be experienced and interacted with through an alternate reality platform.

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a critical framework for understanding and analyzing the fundamentals of design,
    behavior and communication in the context of alternate realities.
  • Gain the ability to design and develop a 3D interactive application using the Unity game engine.
  • Develop a conceptual model for interaction design, leveraging both user-testing best practices and core principles of user experience.
  • Understand the fundamental structure and purpose of storyboarding for virtual reality.
  • Learn to model, import and manipulate 3D objects.
  • Learn to design and manipulate sound geared towards a 3D environment.
  • Gain exposure to and experience with innovative and forward-thinking forms of storytelling.

Grading
Projects should be submitted via email. The submission for projects will be in a .zip file containing the source code of the project. When applicable, one submission per group is enough.
 
The development blog will be graded on (1) the regularity at which it is being updated (at least once a week, or every time a specific improvement is made), (2) the thoroughness of the post (showing the design thinking that led to this or that evolution, the taking into account of user feedback, etc.) and (3) the use of visual media (screenshots of code/editor, pictures of paper sketches, videos or gifs of interactions implemented).
 
Homework assignments will be given on a semi-regular basis to evaluate the knowledge acquired throughout the class and encourage research into current practices and opinions. Students are expected to complete them and share them in class.
 
The first project will be graded on (1) the development of a VR world which takes advantage of the malleability of the digital medium to showcase a strong identity (peaceful, stressful, grandiose, empty, etc.) – 15%
 
The second project will be graded on (1) the implementation of at least two interactions using the HTC Vive’s hand controllers (triggers and/or touchpad and/or gesture), (2) devising feedback for the user on their interactions and (3) an emotionally evocative virtual world that pushes on a particular feature of the medium’s language. – 20%
 
The third project will be graded on (1) the implementation of at least two interactions within the space (2) the development of some version of a UI system and (3) an emotionally evocative virtual world which offers some essence of narrative. – 30%

 

Grade Calculation
Students will be given grades based on a 100 point scale. Each assignment will be graded on a point scale, and these points will be added up to determine the final grade, according to the following:

94 – 100    A
90 – 93.9   A-
88 – 89.9   B+
84 – 87.9   B
80 – 83.9   B- etc.
 
The following are the components of the final grade:
10% – Attendance
10% – Class Participation (includes class discussion, user testing and group critiques)
15% – Homework (includes blog posts, regular updates to development blog and assignments)
15% – Project #1
20% – Project #2
30% – Final Project
 
Readings
All readings will be available as links or PDFs through the course website alternaterealities.nyuad.im
 
Required readings will be available at the NYU Bookstore.
 
Required Text:
• Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1978, ISBN 9780156453800
 
Recommended Text:
• Aesthetics of Interaction in Digital Art, Katja Kwastek, MIT Press, 2013, ISBN 9780262317207
• Hamlet on the Holodeck, Janet Murray, MIT Press, 1998, ISBN 9780262631877
 
Reading assignments are part of the class participation grade and are essential to demonstrating a solid grasp of conceptual and practical aspects of the course material. Students should be able to contribute informed questions and viewpoints during class discussions, examine theories and models during in-class exercises, and employ a critical vocabulary for the evaluation of virtual reality experiences during user test sessions and group critiques of projects. Students will be expected to incorporate key concepts and contemporary perspectives within their project documentation.
 
Equipment
Students should have a laptop that has the free version of Unity installed (v.2017.3), or can borrow one from the IM lab. Equipment specific to the class (PCs, Vive headsets and controllers) will be available for checkout or use for designated times.
 
Attendance

  • Attendance in all classes is mandatory. Be on time and ready to start work at the posted start time. Arriving more than five minutes late to class will count as an unexcused absence.
  • Unexcused absences or habitual lateness will negatively impact your final grade for the class. If you know you are going to be late or absent, please email me in advance. If you have an emergency, let me know as soon as you can.
  • Being late to class more than once will result in a 1-percentage point drop in your attendance grade each time you are late. After three, arriving late to class will count as unexcused absence.
  • More than one unexcused absence will result in a 5-percentage point drop in your attendance grade per absence. After four unexcused absences, you will fail the class.

Participation

  • Class participation is essential. Contributing to class discussions and offering advice, input, feedback, etc during class is a major part of your grade. Participating in class is helpful for me to get to know you as an individual and keep track of your progress. Equally importantly, it provides you and your classmates the opportunity to learn from each other through the sharing of failures, successes, and insights on the work you are doing.
  • Be prepared to work in groups in class and for assigned projects, and to support classmates with user testing and feedback outside of class. Being a thoughtful and generous critic helps you become critical in your own creative practice.
  • All assignments must be turned in on time. Be ready to present your work at the start of the class on the day the project is due. Each day an assignment is late will result in a lower assignment grade (i.e. B+ to B).
  • Ask questions—in class, outside of class, or through emails. Let me know if you have any concerns about the course or if you would like extra help. You can email me, stop by my office, ask for a scheduled meeting, or speak with me before or after class.
  • You are responsible for making up material missed due to an absence.

Academic Integrity
NYU Abu Dhabi expects its students to adhere to the highest possible standards of scholarship and academic conduct. Students should be aware that engaging in behaviors that violate the standards of academic integrity will be subject to review and may face the imposition of penalties in accordance with the procedures set out in the NYUAD policy:
https://students.nyuad.nyu.edu/campus-life/student-policies/community-standards-policies/academic- integrity/
 
In other words: Plagiarism is a serious issue. Attribute, attribute, attribute, in word and code. Plagiarism is grounds for failure.

 
Laptops and Phones
Laptops are permitted in class to take notes, to follow along during demonstrations or during times set aside for project work. All other devices are not to be used unless it is part of the class activity, and checking social media during class is prohibited. No email or messaging in class.