AR Production: Terrace Cultivation
Year: April 2023
Production period: 2 weeks
Role: Creative Producer, Designer
Description: An AR model illustrating the terrace cultivation layers in Vietnam. By touching each layer, the user can listen or read the description regarding the meanings behind this cultural landscape. This is a remix project for a writing class that I took at MSU.
Inspiration
This project was produced for a writing class based on my previous writing about terrace cultivation in Vietnam. There are subtle layers of meaning behind the structure of this natural-artificial collaboration artifact. However, instead of stopping only at designing a graphic image or a short video, I decided to try something new that was also compatible with the layer structure. At first, I think of 3D, but then AR was something that would provided more interactivity, and I chose it to develop.
Creative Process
Writing: I start with researching more about the philosophy behind those terrace cultivation artifacts. After that, I structured an outline that can capture the characteristics of layers and seasonal change in the connection between paragraph. I desired to let the readers engage in a sense that they can 'read' the terrace cultivation.
Designing: I sketched my draft with basic shapes including the circle and some flexible lines. I wanted to pursue a minimal yet impressive and effective drawing style. Therefore, I try to simplify the drawing while still assure that the subject's characteristic is maintained (i.e. the layers and the seasonal colors)
AR producing: Recognizing the multi-layer characteristic of AR, I designed each layer separately and input it into Adobe Aero. I also utlized available resources including the clouds, the mountains, and the lakes to generate the sense of natural landscape.
Subtitles and Audio: Besides the visual aspect, I use AI for voice generating and have the subtitles as the image of the text. They will pop up differently when you click on each color layer on the design. Those two items make the interactive process more accessible.
Challenges
1. Working with a 3D design environment (i.e. the role of axis z).
2. Figuring out how to let everyone experience the AR tech easily.
3. Doing research thoroughly on the topic of traditions.
4. Finding appropriate materials for the design.
Lessons
1. Minimal is effective.
2. Learning to use new tools and media is vital in designing.
3. How to convert writing to a visual design.
4. Hard-skill: AR production, drawing on Illustration, AI generating.
5. Patience is need for innovation.
Future Inquiries
1. What could be done further in other Adobe 3D and AR tools?
2. Other contexts that AR could be applied effectively?
Reference Hashtag
#augmented_reality
#terrace_cultivation
