MAJOR PROJECT MINIMALIST OASIS KAYLEIGH WALKER Can Stock

MAJOR PROJECT MINIMALIST OASIS KAYLEIGH WALKER Can. Stock. Photo. (2019). Desert Oasis. [online] Available at: https: //www. canstockphoto. com/desert-oasis-11237829. html [Accessed 7 Nov. 2019].

MY PROJECT I have chosen to create an ‘Oasis’, taken from various types of minimalist designs to create either a real or virtual environment. The purpose of this is to create a ‘therapeutic’ environment, taking the player/viewer away from everyday stresses. I will create the ‘Oasis’ in Unreal Engine 4 as a ‘VR’ (Virtual Reality) experience. I have chosen this program as VR has increasingly grown popular over the world, it also gives players an incredible immersive experience using graphics, music etc. , this will give the user an entirely new method to minimize stress.

VR AND PYSCHOLOGY Newly introduced virtual reality systems in therapists’ offices are producing surprising results, (Kristen Weir, 2018). Sean Sullivan, the head psychologist at ‘Limbix’ used VR for a patient. Treating them for an anxiety-based disorder, he created a situation using virtual reality in which the patient was standing behind a podium in front of an audience. Sullivan then, using controls, changes the mood of the audience from welcoming to an unreceptive crowd, he then spoke to the patient, coaching him through breathing exercises in order to calm down. VR in therapeutic scenarios are able to create and practice calming techniques for the users, enabling them to deal with everyday stresses in the world. https: //www. apa. org/monitor/2018/02/virtualreality

MEDITATION USES This year, (Rogers, 2019), it was found that meditation was one of the most effective solutions for stress. Whilst wearing the VR headset, the user is able to completely focus on their meditation, as it takes away all world distractions away from them. Creating an environment in which the player can not only just travel/walk around, but also stop and meditate to release stress is something which I will include in my VR experience. Incorporating the transition between stressful to calm in my environment is important in my environment. The environment will also be catered to help various people from different situations, be it students, employees, patients, etc. , meaning the experience must be suited to all. Mindful. (2019). A 3 -Part Focussed Attention Meditation Serie. [online] Available at: https: //www. mindful. org/focus-attention/ [Accessed 2 Nov. 2019].

WHAT IS MINIMALISM? In an online blog post, (Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemu, n. d) minimalism is described simply as living with fewer possessions or “clutter”. Many of those who live a ‘minimalist’ life feel freedom from fear and worry etc. Minimalism enables people to have more freedom in what they choose to do/own in their lives. This also helps to; Live in the moment Focus on health, mentally and physically Experience freedom Eliminate discontent, etc. Stock, A. (2019). The Joys of the Minimalist Life in Retirement. [online] Next Avenue. Available at: https: //www. nextavenue. org/minimalist-life-in-retirement/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2019].

MY IDEA For my world, I will try to include the calming atmosphere patients/people feel in most meditation/therapy environments. I will do this by using music, special effects and lighting which aren’t overpowering, i. e. using calming music and few animations. The terrain of my environment will include simplistic 3 D models, e. g. the use of simplistic shapes and colours. The theme of my world will be Fantasy based. The 3 D models will be created on Maya. I will work towards creating an environment not only eye-catching in a Virtual Reality platform, but also give the user a calming experience which will benefit their mental health or assist them in their daily meditation, a true escape from reality they can fully immerse in.

CONCEPT ART First Concept Taking inspiration from minimalist artworks, I only used single block colours for the tree, avoiding adding too much detail and colour. Simple polygons will be used to create this tree, using a metallic material for the purple rings. A particle asset will be included along with a point light underneath the tree.

Foliage Concept Art Similar to the tree, I tried to use simple shapes and coloured them without using excessive detail. Glow and particle effects are added to some of the plants. Majority of these plants will only require simple polygon shapes with few manipulation, the effects added to them however is what will truly add the ‘fantasy’ ambience of the scene.

3 D MODEL CONCEPTS First Tree Model The first model I created based from my concept art was this tree. I used simplistic materials and shapes (referenced from minimalism). I then used a ‘glow’ material for the baubles on top of the tree. The glow effect added will enhance the look of the environment and add to the ‘fantasy’ theme.

Floating Rocks Model This time rather than using basic shapes, I manipulated the vertexes to create a ‘meteor’ type shape. I then used a gradient material and added a ‘glow effect’ onto it. This model will be floating within the scene and will be animated.

Mushroom Model Again, staying with the minimalist theme of simple shapes and colours, I used the ‘ramp. Shader’ for the glow effect and blend of colours, i. e. red, orange and yellow. I then used a simple ‘lambart’ material for the stems of the mushrooms. A ‘point light’ will be used in Unreal Engine 4 to add extra effect to the model.

Plant Model This model was based from ’Kitsch’ type designs and was not based off of a real plant. Again I used simple shapes and colours to create this, however I would improve it by changing the textures and materials to make it more fantasy based.

Bibliography Can. Stock. Photo. (2019). Desert Oasis. [online] Available at: https: //www. canstockphoto. com/desert -oasis-11237829. html [Accessed 7 Nov. 2019]. Rogers, S. (2019). VR Meditation: The Path to Next-Gen Health & Happiness. [online] Forbes. Available at: https: //www. forbes. com/sites/solrogers/2019/03/28/vr-meditation-the-path-to-next-genhealth-happiness/#49908 b 4 b 2 ff 4 [Accessed 2 Nov. 2019]. Weir, K. (2018). Virtual reality expands its reach. [online] American Psychological Association. Available at: https: //www. apa. org/monitor/2018/02/virtual-reality [Accessed 7 Nov. 2019]. Millburn, J. and Nicodemus, R. (n. d. ). What Is Minimalism? . [online] The Minimalists. Available at: https: //www. theminimalists. com/minimalism/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2019]. Stock, A. (2019). The Joys of the Minimalist Life in Retirement. [online] Next Avenue. Available at: https: //www. nextavenue. org/minimalist-life-in-retirement/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2019]. Mindful. (2019). A 3 -Part Focussed Attention Meditation Series. [online] Available at: https: //www. mindful. org/focus-attention/ [Accessed 2 Nov. 2019].