This quarter we are continuing to work on our virtual world in second life. The Hero’s Journey continues on in our 3D Design class with our Pirate Steampunk theme! This journey provides support for new students from fellow students and mentors. This project is to help people get introduced to an extraordinary world.
This project is for prospective students, faculty, staff, and the Second Life community. This Project is a valuable resource for navigating college life; offering different ways to connect with college culture and resources.
Other than this I was able to be apart of this story once so far. You can follow the link below to see my other contributions:
See these links for my Media 195 process:
Digital Storytelling for Infographics
Media 195 Project Management
3D Design 12 step Project Management
This project this quarter is primarily in the interactive virtual world Second Life. A 3D environment where users can participate in The Hero’s Journey. Second Life is known for its user-generated content and social interaction. My project will also be available on this WordPress blog for viewing and include narrative of how the project is going.
The focus this quarter is our achievement awards that are gifted to people that accomplished big milestones and our place on the wellness wheel (a tool designed to help individuals asses and improve their overall well-being by focusing on various dimensions of their lives).
Above are snapshots taken of our Second Life setting with emphasis on our (Lindsey McEwan and I) area.
Step 1: The Ordinary World before the Adventure Begins
I didn’t have a lot of experience in 3D design besides watching a random Timelapse video on Youtube. I was a bit intimidated at first but it turned out to contribute to my creative nature, more so then I expected. I have learned so much already and I am hooked. Im still trying to figure out all the tools these platforms have to offer and I am excited to learn what’s next.
Step 2: Call to Adventure
The start of the quarter has been full of new and exciting things. Our first assignment (Quest) is to create Seamless Textures in our visual vocabulary. We are tasked to create an image that portrays a seamless texture that we can use on our future designs of our 3D designs. Here are some examples:
Ready Player One
We also read the book Ready Player One and learned about its massive, immersive virtual reality world (Thought Provoking 3D).
These “calls” played a huge part in the way I thought of our project and what we would create. Taking on this new opportunity I was ready to learn what I could to take on our Achievement Award project.
Step 3: Refusal to Call
Ive always been a very creative person but I never had the chance to immerse myself in to any kind of art. This degree has opened up a whole new world for me and I realize I have so much to learn. That being said, everything so far has been a trial. When starting with anything new it always feels like you’re never going to get out of that fear of failure and that applies to me today.
Even though we’ve had 4 weeks worth of Seamless textures I still cant get the offset right and no matter how many tutorials and lectures I watch I always feel like Im missing something important when making a 3D design.
Step 4: Meeting with the Mentor
Watching lectures, doing adventure missions, and meeting with Professor Brock in our one-to-one meeting really helped with finding the path I want to take. I even met with my fellow wheel of wellness partner Lindsey and was able to see her vision.
Step 5: Crossing the First Threshold into the Extraordinary World
Stepping into the world of visualization was not an easy step. Choosing two achievement awards and creating a Previs board was our next assignment. I really wanted to choose things that can represent Emotional & Contribution in the best way possible.
I went with a sea glass crown that symbolizes self confidence and inner strength. Sea glass is a piece of frosted glass found on the beach. Each piece of glass has a unique color and journey. The Hero can wear this crown and have the resilience and confidence to do it.
I also chose a Utility belt, equipped to provide the wearer with the tools they need for any situation. Tools like, a journal with a magical pen for mindful writing, a sketch/coloring book with a pouch for your artistic pens, a place for a worry rock, fidget toys, etc.
Step 6: Discovery of Superpowers and challenges
We created a few things so far. Starting with making a 3D couch. I really got to know blender within this assignment and really got a taste of 3D Design. I watched one too many YouTube videos (referenced in my 3D Gallery) but I feel like it helped me learn as much as I have already.
Next, our Keys to Success
My Key is the Develop Empathy. We were tasked to create a 3D version of our key in our own interpretation. I realized I might’ve went pretty strong on my own interpretation here
I chose the Develop Empathy key because it can help improve your view of communicating. By understanding others perspectives you can communicate better. Empathy can help you better understand and connect with others. This can lead to higher emotional intelligence. The original key is beautiful already in portraying that, I just tried to make something that also represents understanding of others perspectives by having the pieces connect within each other.
We have also been working on prototypes for our achievement awards. These have taken up my time the most. My items are very intricate and I am determined to create them, so my prototypes are little slower to be put out.
My crown has taken on many different changes. After speaking to Lindsey I really want to have my awards fit her rose gold theme by making the wiring rose gold as well. Lindseys steakholder, Anna, gave an incredible suggestion to add to the crowns emotions. I decided to take her suggestion and add a diamond the color of our place in the wellness wheel that represents vulnerability. As shown below,
My Utility Belt, just as intricate, was a little easier to produce. Professor Brock gave some advice in making it a bit easier and making the utility belt separate items. Like Batman’s belt or construction belt, easy to remove and get to when needed. You can see as I made different prototypes different ideas came up. I even added a hook for the Hero to put their crown on (a quick discussion Professor Brock and I had in our meeting), see below
Step 7: Adaptation of Perspective and Approach
After speaking to Lindsey about our area in Second Life I got a new understanding of what I’m working with and my partners vision. I decided on going with Lindseys idea of using our 4 sub-sections in the emotional section of our Second Life Island. I hope to integrate my story with hers and adding my awards into the treasure chest.
Snapshots taken by Lindsey McEwan
These are my latest phases of each award. Always open to more feedback.
Step 8: The Ordeal Reveals Resources and Inner Strength
Still working on this part and can’t wait to see my own end product
Step 9: The Unforeseen Reward
Curation, Creative discovery, Personal growth and unexpected perceptions, and surprising insights.
Step 10: The Road Back and Metamorphosis
Step 10 is the step I chose in the beginning of the quarter and I hope to have my awards contribute to this and my project. Final products, reflection, and adjustments before finishing up my products.
Step 11: The Resurrection Hero Evaluation and Reflection
I emailed my stakeholder and got no reply. I followed up with another email and hoping for the best. If not, I will continue on.
Step 12: Return with Education Elixir and Becoming a Mentor
So far I have gained many experiences and have gained so much knowledge. I continue to learn more and grow my own mindset. I hope to portray my journey in a way that motivates others to do the same and reach their full potential.